Guwahati, 20 February (HS): The Assam government is busy preparing for the two-day Advantage Assam 2.0 and to get global recognition for the famous Jhumur dance of the tea tribe. Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday that so far 18,575 people have applied for Advantage Assam 2.0.

The Chief Minister said in a press conference held at the Lok Seva Bhawan in Dispur that a practice session of Jhumur will be organized in Guwahati from Friday. Jhumur dance will be performed in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24. Jhumur dance will be performed for the world record. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will enjoy Jhumur dance. Heads of all departments will also enjoy Jhumur dance. Heads of all departments will come to Kaziranga on February 23 and all will join Advantage Assam on February 25. Everyone will return on February 25. The central government will bear all the expenses of the trip. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will see the exhibition after the Jhumur dance on February 24.

Regarding Advantage Assam, the Chief Minister said that Assam industrialist Abhijit Barua will give his first speech. Anupam Deka of SRD Group will also be present on the occasion. Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Tata Group's N Chandrasekaran and Sajjan Jindal will also give a speech. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnav will also address the audience. The Chief Minister said that semiconductors, Numaligarh bamboo industry will be discussed. Assam tea will also be discussed. It will also be discussed how small scale industries can be taken to the global level.

The Chief Minister said that so far 18,575 people have applied for Advantage Assam. Out of this, 15,000 applications have been approved. So far 1,512 MoU applications have been received. Small entrepreneurs of Assam have received MoU applications worth ₹12,000 crore. Out of this, 1,517 MoUs have come from outside the state.

He said that 'the decision on the MoUs will be taken in the Cabinet on February 23. The exhibition will be opened to the general public on February 27, 28 and March 1. Referring to Jhumur, the Chief Minister said that to enjoy Jhumur dance, one has to take an entry pass. Entry passes can be obtained at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Sarusajai. Entry passes are also available at the Cultural Directorate. Everyone will be able to see the final practice of Jhumur on February 23.'

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash