Cherry Blossom fest kick starts at Shillong

Staff Correspondent

Shillong: The India International Cherry Blossom Festival, 2018 in Shillong in a befitting manner. Notwistanding the early blooming of the flowers that followed with their own timely expiry, hoards of trees continues to macho themselves in their own flowery glow.

Kick-starting the Cherry Blossom festival in Shillong on Wednesday by the State Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma along with the Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu, the programme carried on with another long session at the State Convention centre.

During his inaugural address, the Chief Guest, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma feted the organisers of the festival to a global level. He said, that Cherry Blossom Festival 2018 is being elevated to international status with the participation of the Government of Japan through its delegates while adding, " that the significance of the festival goes beyond the blooming of cherry trees as it also creates a space for mutual exchange of culture and ideas.".

The State Chief Minister also said that the festival has provided a platform to celebrate the autumn season and during this celebration, the festival will provide a mosaic of sports, culture and culinary delights of the State of Meghalaya, North East India and also Japan.

The Chief Minister said that the Indo-Japan collaboration has taken a leap forward because of the efforts that have been made by the Prime Minister of.

Ambassador of Japan to India Kenji Hiramatsu meanwhile in his speech stated that the festival is symbolic of the friendship between India and Japan and provides a channel for people to people and cultural exchanges between India and Japan which will in turn promote stronger bonds between the two countries. On the occasion, the Chief Minister along with the other dignitaries also visited the stalls put up at the venue by various Government Departments and entrepreneurs. The inaugural day of the Four day festival featured events including Sky Diving, Painting and Drawing Competition, Dog Show, Story Telling, Fashion show and Cutie kid's competition among others.

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