Guwahati: Assam’s 2026-27 Budget has put culture and heritage at the centre of its outreach.Finance minister Jayanta Malla Baruah announced several initiatives to showcase the state’s cultural legacy nationally and globally, including a grand closing ceremony of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika’s birth centenary celebrations in New Delhi later this year.The event is being planned as a national tribute to the legendary musician, taking his message of humanity, love, cultural harmony and national unity from the Brahmaputra to audiences across the country.The govt also proposed financial support for a commercial feature film on Lachit Barphukan, the Ahom general whose leadership in the Battle of Saraighat remains a defining chapter in Assam’s military history. The project will be taken up with a reputed filmmaker to bring the story of Assamese valour and patriotism to national and global audiences.A separate commercial feature film will be supported on Kushal Konwar, the only martyr from Assam to be hanged during India’s freedom struggle. The film will focus on his life, sacrifice and patriotism.The budget also underlined govt’s plan to seek Unesco recognition for key cultural sites and traditions after the Charaideo Moidams’ inscription as a World Heritage Site. The sites include Majuli’s Vaishnavite culture, Bihu and the Ahom capital of Rangpur in Sivasagar.It further proposes faster conservation of Rang Ghar, restoration of Kareng Ghar, setting up of the Assam Satra Commission and development of Madhupur Satra with better pilgrim facilities and cultural infrastructure.
