First ever Northeast festival to be held

New Delhi, April 9: The first-ever Northeast Festival “Songs and Dances of the North East” initiated by the Government of Meghalaya and the North Eastern Council to create a platform for showcasing art and culture of North east will iugurate by President of India, Prab Mukherjee at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on April 11. Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya along with other senior officials of North Eastern Council shall be present on the occasion. The event has a special significance as for the first time, the capital shall witness most of the Chief Ministers and Governors of the Northeastern States on one single platform for this extravagant festival. The festival will help to enhance the multi-ethnic character of the country’s capital and dispel impressions that it was hostile to outsiders, particularly people from the Northeast. "The Event is conceptualized and designed to bind together the diverse culture and heritage of the North East on a common platform and connect with rest of India. The purpose of the festival is to connect the unique way of life of Northeastern people with rest of India. North East is known for its diverse music, richness of cultures, colors’ of traditions and the sweet melodies of folklores” said M. War Nongbri- Director Art & Culture, Government of Meghalaya.  The festival showcases the rich, cultural ethnicity and diversity of Northeast India. This festival takes Northeast and its heritage outside the Northeast for the first time in such a big and multidimensiol way to capital of India and in a sense to the rest of the country and the world. It is a daylong festival where visitors experience almost everything from the Northeast - from food, songs, dances, culture, and much more. It is the perfect time for people from all walks of life to get a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of the region. Northeast India is a tribal heartland,

The goal is to deliver, engage and exhibit the best of Northeast in a creative and exciting atmosphere bringing the people together under one platform of unified diversity. It has been constituted to work out various means of attracting tourists, film makers and holiday seekers to the North-eastern region, which will generate immense opportunities for job and revenue generation.  It also provides a right platform to the artistes of the Northeast to project their talent to the rest of India.  This is a positive step in bridging the gap between the Northeastern states and rest of India. "The songs and dances of Northeast reflect ethnicity and the sounds of cheering. This is the call of Culture, this is the call of togetherness, this is where we experience the beauty of North East," said  P.W. Ingty –Principal Secretary Arts & Culture,Government of Meghalaya. This was stated in a press release.