Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 372/16

NADI FESTIVAL 2016 CONCLUDES

The Two-Day River Festival NADI 2016, organised by the Asian Confluence, India, East Asia Centre, Shillong, in collaboration with the Meghalaya government and the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies came to a close at a concluding function held at the Sri Auro Bindo Institute of Indian Culture, Bivar Road in the city today where Meghalaya Governor V.Shanmuganathan graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Bangladesh Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Rasheed Khan Menon was Guest of Honour. Delivering his valedictory address, the Governor highlighted the importance of rivers and the crucial impacts that they have on the people situated upstream and along its course who depend on it for daily economic activities and sustenance. “We all love and respect rivers” he said while recalling the massive impact and influence that the Kaveri River has on the people of South India, especially those of Thanjavur, his place of birth which is a delta in the Kaveri River. “Rivers worldwide are respected and revered with people wanting to preserve and protect them. Well known poets like Kalidasa and others have penned through poems thoughts about their affection and attachment to rivers” he further said.

The Governor called upon all gathered to provide a safe passage to rivers whilst also urging upon them to “purify, protect and preserve rivers and water systems” for the greater good of all. Affirming the important role that rivers play, he stated that they provide a vital link between one place and another further adding that rivers facilitate economic growth, connectivity and friendship amongst people. “Apart from economic benefits rivers and river banks have been proven to be the starting point of many a great world civilization, where culture and values evolve thereby influencing the thoughts and worldview of the people. “Rivers are a source of spiritual attainment. We can go nearer to God through rivers” he further said.

The Governor also took the occasion to appeal to all concerned to be more sympathetic and more giving to one another as a river does to all life forms along its course. The purpose of humanity must be on giving and not merely taking from nature, he also stated. Guest of Honour, Tourism and aviation Minster of Bangladesh Rasheed Khan Menon meanwhile stated that the festival provided a platform for the government, diplomats and all stakeholders to discuss deliberate and put forth their views on protection of rivers and the environment surrounding them. He further added that the sharing of rivers imply sharing of soil, borders and culture also urging all gathered to resolve to build a society that benefits people who live besides rivers and to promote environment protection. It may be recalled that the Two Day festival saw the participation of over 400 dignitaries and participants from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar where a consensus on several key elements on rivers, inland navigation, tourism, expansion of people to people contacts and links from among others was arrived at.