Hometown Dhubri rolls out red carpet for Priyadarshini

Guwahati: Three days after fbb Femina Miss India 2016 Priyadarshini Chatterjee arrived in her home town Guwahati to a rousing welcome, she paid a visit to her native Dhubri district on Wednesday.
Priyadarshini, the first woman from the northeast to win the coveted pageant, arrived at her 100-year-old ancestral home near the PWD office in Dhubri town amid frenzy and the traditional ululation.She was greeted by a posse of relatives, fans and neighbours who cheered for her, hugged her and showered petals on her.
"I am completely overwhelmed with the love and respect I have got from the people. I am so grateful to them. Dhubri is close to my heart. It is my ancestral place," the 19-year-old said.
So many people had gathered to catch a glimpse of Priyadarshini that her father, Probir Chatterjee, had to request them to make way for her. Among the many that waited for her with bated breath was Maya, Priyadarshini's paternal grandmother. She stood at the threshold of the old house with a puja thali of earthen lamps, incense sticks and flowers to welcome her famous granddaughter.
"I have given all my blessings and wishes to Priyadarshini. She has brought pride to our family, to Dhubri and to Assam. There are no words to describe how happy I am," the elderly lady said.
Also present were some of her cousins who had come all the way from Siliguri just to congratulate her. Making its presence felt in the crowd was Priyadarshini's pet Pomeranian 'Pom Pom'.
The fbb Femina Miss India 2016 hails from a family that has been around in Dhubri for close to 200 years. One of her ancestors had even worked for a king of the Sidli kingdom, one of the many royal families that surrounded the district during the British Raj.
"We have been here for close to 200 years. Priyadarshini's achievement is another milestone for our family. The reception today was overwhelming. We are grateful to the people for showering her with love," Probir added.
On Wednesday evening, social and cultural organisations of Dhubri town organised a felicitation programme for their darling daughter.
Priyadarshini, who makes it a point to visit Dhubri every year during Durga Puja and other festivals, had earlier expressed concern over its deteriorating socio-economic condition and lack of infrastructure and development.
"I want to do everything within my reach to bring positive changes in Dhubri. It needs hospitals and proper infrastructure," she had said. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi congratulated Priyadarshini on Tuesday.