Bodoland International Knowledge Festival

About Bodoland International Knowledge Festival:

• The festival is being hosted by Bodoland University with support from the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) government.
• It seeks to provide a platform for thought leaders, educators, Research scholars, researchers, and practitioners to engage with constituents of Higher Education Institutions in BTR through participation.
• Goal: To create, foster and promote knowledge exchange, solution sharing, and partnership building for the achievement of social development priorities and key Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 in contemporary BTR and the world.
• It aims to draw the best practices from across the world to enhance scientific temperament for the creation of “Peaceful, Green and Smart Bodoland” in light of the Bodo Peace Accord 2020.

Bodo Peace Accord 2020:

• It is a tripartite accord signed in 2020 by representatives of Bodo organizations with the Central and Assam governments.
• The Bodo parties to the agreement include the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), the United Bodo People’s Organisation (UBPO), and all four factions of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB).
• It presents a new model of power-sharing and governance in Assam under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

• Features:
• Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) which comprises four districts -Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri will be renamed the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
• The number of seats in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) will be increased from 40 to 60 without adversely affecting the existing percentage of reservation for tribals”.
• It promises more legislative, executive, and financial powers to the BTC in respect of 40 subjects already transferred to it and eight additional subjects.
• The Assam government will set up a Bodo-Kachari Autonomous Council, which will be a satellite council for the focused development of Bodo villages outside the BTR.
• The Indian government will expedite the process of granting Hills tribe status to Bodos living in Hills areas.
• It also promises Scheduled Tribe status to Bodos living in the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao. 
• The Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police will be appointed in consultation with the BTC authority.