Digboi: The three-day Gorkha Cultural Festival 2026 commenced on Thursday with grand ceremonial fervour at No. 5 Playground, Rajgarh Tea Estate in Dibrugarh, highlighting the rich cultural heritage and unique identity of the Gorkha community in Assam.
Organised by the Gorkha Development Council, Government of Assam, in collaboration with various Gorkha social and cultural organisations, the festival is expected to draw widespread participation over the next two days.
The inaugural programme featured flag hoisting, homage to martyrs, inauguration of the main cultural stage, and traditional Gorkha folk dance performances, attracting a large gathering of community members, artists, and cultural troupes.
Addressing the gathering, Prem Tamang said the festival serves as a platform to showcase the traditions, customs, and historical legacy of the Gorkha community while promoting unity, fraternity, and cultural harmony. He expressed confidence that the event would strengthen social cohesion and foster inter-community understanding across Assam.
Tamang added that several senior dignitaries, including Members of the Legislative Assembly and Cabinet Ministers of Assam, are expected to attend the festival over the next two days.
Although Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma could not attend in person due to official engagements in Guwahati, where he unveiled a statue of eminent Gorkha freedom fighter Babu Chabilal Upadhyaya, his video message was screened at the festival to convey greetings and solidarity with the community.
Babu Chabilal Upadhyaya, a pioneering Gorkha leader, played a prominent role in Assam’s freedom movement, actively participating in the Non-Cooperation Movement and facing imprisonment for anti-British activities. In 1921, he presided over the historic Assam Association session at Jorhat, which merged with the Indian National Congress. He later became the first President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, leaving a lasting imprint on the state’s political history.
Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah attended the inaugural programme, encouraging participants and cultural performers. Organisers expressed gratitude for his support and engagement with the community.
The festival will continue over the next two days, featuring a variety of cultural performances and community-oriented programmes celebrating the vibrant traditions, pride, and historical contributions of the Gorkha people.