Career Opportunities Related to Rongali Bihu - Dr. Buljit Buragohain
Buljit Buragohain
::Career Opportunities Related to Rongali Bihu ::
Dr. Buljit Buragohain
Career opportunities related to Rongali Bihu refer to the various livelihood paths connected with this vibrant festival. Multiple aspects are associated with it. As we know, people from all regions of Assam as well as Assamese living abroad celebrate Rongali Bihu across the globe. Through this festival, there is immense potential to promote Assam as a prominent tourist destination.
To inform people worldwide about Rongali Bihu, we must utilize information technology—such as websites, YouTube channels, etc. Similarly, photographers can present various Bihu-related themes through online or offline magazines, newspapers, and social media platforms using photos. Moreover, if Bihu-related content is published not only in Assamese, Hindi, or English but also in various international languages, people across the world will become aware of the festival. This could increase interest in visiting Assam during Bihu, boosting the tourism industry.
In this scenario, the hotel industry would play a significant role in accommodating visitors, and there would be a demand for transportation and tourist guides. Thus, various tourism-related services would become essential, and international tourists could play a significant role in creating livelihood opportunities.
Similarly, researchers working on Bihu can translate their research works into different languages and publish them to reach wider audiences. If these publications become widely popular, that too could serve as a career path.
We also know that different types of orchids bloom in Assam during the spring season, around Bihu. These flowers can attract tourists. There is potential for setting up orchid-based businesses, including packaging and exporting them globally, which could create a new avenue for livelihood.
During Bihu songs and dances, various traditional musical instruments are used. The instruments used by male performers include the Dhol, Pepa, Taal, Bahi, etc., and those used by female dancers include Gogona, Sutuli, Toka, etc. Young entrepreneurs can start businesses making these instruments, creating another potential livelihood path.
You might wonder how making such traditional instruments could become a career path. It requires dedication and continuous involvement. With proper promotion and awareness, people from both India and abroad might become interested in purchasing them. By creating videos, photographs, and written content detailing the use and uniqueness of these instruments, they could gain popularity beyond Assam. This could lead to year-round sales, not just during Bihu.
Proper planning and marketing are essential to support this growth. Thus, the production of traditional musical instruments can be a promising career avenue.
The preparation of traditional Bihu costumes is another career path. Female dancers wear Mekhela Sador, often made of Muga silk, which is highly valued in international markets. The ornaments they wear—such as Jonbiri, Dholbiri, Dugdugi, Galpata, Gamkharu, Kerumoni, Thuriya, etc.—can also be manufactured as livelihood opportunities.
Currently, the production of traditional Gamusa is largely dominated by industries outside Assam. It is becoming increasingly rare to find locally made cotton Gamusas. Hence, young people in Assam must take a stand and revive local industries, turning them into sustainable businesses. Even the costumes worn by Dholiyas (drummers) can be produced and marketed.
These items are not limited to Bihu alone. Throughout the year, during various events and cultural programs, Bihu songs, dances, and costumes are showcased. Thus, Bihu-related products have strong year-round market potential. Youth should focus on mass production and market capture.
However, before starting such ventures, one must consider where raw materials are available and whether similar production centers already exist in the area. Conducting a market survey is crucial before launching new ventures.
Bihu also involves a variety of traditional foods, such as pithas (rice cakes) and snacks. Items like chira (flattened rice), muri (puffed rice), bora rice, komal rice, hurum, sandoh, akhoi, and pithaguri (rice flour) are popular during Bihu. There’s also the tradition of eating 101 varieties of greens during Bohag Bihu. All these can lead to food-based entrepreneurial ventures.
There are already systems in place to export these foods to Assamese communities living abroad. Thus, food products related to Bihu could also form a viable livelihood path. Though some ventures already exist, they are not enough. If young people step forward to expand such businesses, they can become self-reliant while promoting Assam’s culinary heritage worldwide.
Online platforms such as the internet, social media, YouTube, blogs, websites, magazines, and newspapers can help with promotion and outreach. As a result, not only Assamese people abroad but global citizens may also become interested in these food items. Such businesses could contribute to the economic development of Assam.
Skills in Husori, Bihu dance, and Bihu songs can also lead to career opportunities. Talented performers may even gain employment in government or private sectors—particularly in the Cultural Department. Those who obtain certification in Performing Arts may find jobs in various cultural fields. Additionally, winners of competitions like Bihurani, Bihukuowari, Bihuwa, Husori, etc., may receive cash prizes, further encouraging professional engagement.
It is worth noting that the new National Education Policy (NEP) emphasizes the importance of indigenous culture. Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) has already included Bihu as a subject, comprising both theoretical and practical components. Once NEP 2020 is fully implemented, everyone will be encouraged to study local language and culture deeply, and traditional instruments will play a crucial role.
We are hopeful that the youth of Assam will recognize the importance of all these aspects and, in doing so, strengthen both their own futures and the economic prosperity of the state. Anyone interested in learning more about career opportunities may contact 9435188630 on Saturdays from 6 to 9 PM for career counselling.
Dr. Buljit Buragohain
Career Counsellor and
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Assam Don Bosco University,
Airport Road, Azara,
Guwahati – 781 017
Mobile No :9435188630