Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 189/15

PRESIDENT OF INDIA INAUGURATES SONGS AND DANCES OF NORTH EAST AT DELHI

New Delhi, 11 April, 2015: A cultural festival, Songs and Dances of North East, presented by Government of Meghalaya and sponsored by North Eastern Council (NEC) was inaugurated at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi here today by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.

In his Inaugural Address, Chief Guest, President, Pranab Mukherjee while congratulating the organizers of the festival said that the North East constitutes a strategic and important part of the country with each state having a distinct rich culture of its own which we can feel proud of. The President also recalled with remembrance the contributions of the region in the freedom struggle of India’s independence and acknowledged the role of North East in national activities. He further said that a visitor to the North East will not only be mesmerized by the scenic beauty of the North East but also with the literature, songs and dances and the hospitality extended by the people of the North East who are sincere, devoted and committed people. He also added that festivals like these would not only help in connecting North East with the rest of the country but would also strengthen the Act East policy of the government of India and help in the economic development of the region.

Earlier in his address, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma said that the festival which is a humble beginning is a sincere and joint endeavor of the eight sister states of the North East with the NEC under the Ministry of DoNER to showcase the vibrant but unique culture and the way of life of the diverse ethnic groups that constitute North East. The festival does not revolve around songs and dances only but is designed as a platform to create the much needed connect between us, the people of the North East and the rest of the country bringing the people of the region under one platform he added.

He also said that the positive aspects of strong fields of Sports, Tourism, Culture, Education, Industries and Business Investments are available in abundance but yet to be fully explored by the states of the North East he added. The mesmerizing natural and bountiful resources, the unique way of life, culture and tradition and the willingness to welcome one and all with open arms are no different from any other state or region of this great nation which is blessed with the strength of its unity in diversity he added.

The Chief Minister also fondly remembered the great heroes and icons of the region in music, songs and dance, literature and social service who have made a name in their respective fields taking the region and the country to heights it deserves. He further said that the growing trend in the youth of the country to excel in whatever they take up gives all the more reason to invest in the future of the country which would only be possible if all work towards building deeper understanding amongst all the people from diverse background to usher into an era of sustained peace and harmony where spirit of love and compassion reigns forever.

The festival which if the first edition of the few such initiatives of DoNER would be subsequently hosted by all the states of the North East on a rotational basis in different parts of the country. This initiative is one of the outcomes of the recommendations of M P Bezbaruah committee, set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs to work out modalities for building strong bond between people of North East and rest of the country. The inaugural function was followed by a grand cultural bonanza showcasing the dance, music and culture of the region. The day long fest continued with a marathon cultural show of melodious folk songs, adrenalizing music, sensational and vigorous cultural dances and rocking performances put up by renowned artists from the North East like Shillong Chamber Choir, Girish and the Chronicles, Tetseo Sisters, Soulmate, Alobo Naga, Restless Desire, Ahowee, Moniraj Hazarika, PhuNing Ding, Silman Marak, Folk Borthers to name a few who enthralled the crowd. A food court was also set up at the venue where authentic and indigenous food of the North East was available. The festival took North East and its heritage outside the northeast for the first time in such a big and multidimensional way to the capital of India and in a sense to the rest of the world.

The goal of the festival is to deliver, engage and exhibit the best of North East in a creative and exciting atmosphere to attract tourists, film makers and holiday seekers and is a positive step in bridging the gap between the North East and the rest of the country. The festival was attended also attended by the governors of the North Eastern States, Union Minister, DoNER, Dr Jitendra Sharma, Minister, Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya, Clement Marak, hosts of senior officials from the eight states of North East.