4-Day North East Festival Begins in New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 7, 2014: The second edition of the North East Festival commenced on November 7 at the IGNCA grounds in Janpath, New Delhi, and will continue until November 10. The event was inaugurated by Dr. VK Singh (Gen. Retd), Union Minister of DoNER, and Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs, who served as the chief guest and guest of honour, respectively.

KUKI DANCE. Pic: Bruce K. Thangkhal

The festival saw the presence of renowned Indian boxer MC Mary Kom, who also serves as the Brand Ambassador for the North East Festival. Numerous dignitaries from the Northeast region and New Delhi attended the event.

During the inaugural session, several athletes from the North East, who recently excelled at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, were honoured with the NEC Chairman’s Sports Awards for Excellence. The athletes included Mary Kom, Sarita Devi, L. Devendro Singh, and Dipa Karmakar.

Mizo celebrated singer, Fiona Pachuau. Pic- Bruce K. Thangkhal

The focus of this year’s festival is on promoting business and investment opportunities in the region, alongside showcasing the diverse culture and rich heritage of the North Eastern states.

Artistes from various North East states, in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi, performed a series of traditional ethnic dances, adding vibrancy to the event. The festival also featured an array of food stalls offering authentic Northeastern cuisine, including popular outlets like Rosang Cafe, Dzukou Tribal Kitchen, and The Cuisine Boulevard, among others. Handicrafts and ethnic handlooms were also on display, reflecting the craftsmanship of the region.

MINUTES OF DECAY. Pic- Bruce K. Thangkhal

The evening was filled with performances by popular music bands from the Northeast, such as Guwahati Lights, Akhu - Imphal Talkies, and Soulmate, which captivated the large audience.

FASHION PARADE.  Pic- Bruce K. Thangkhal

Earlier in the day, a panel discussion on "The Feeling of Alienation in the North East and the Implementation of the Bezbaruah Committee Recommendations" was organized by the North East Community of Delhi.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

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