BACKGROUND
Connected by an infinite chain of pearly threads, intricate as a spider’s web the North-East India represents 8 states - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura which is considered as India’s most distinct and spectacular region. Spread over an approximate expanse of 2,65,000 sq km. north east represents a true collage of colours of ethnic groups with their diverse language and culture but all bound together by a chord of unison. Throughout its history and still today this region is known to have been an important physical and cultural link between, India, East Asia and South-east Asia. The North East of India, flanked by China on the North, Myanmar on the East, Bangladesh due South, with Sikkim sandwiched between Nepal to its West and Bhutan to its East, shares around 90% of its outer borders internationally. For centuries, the passes and valleys of the North Eastern region were the great crossroad of the movement of people, commerce and culture that linked India overland to East and South East Asia.
Physical geography of the region can be categorized into the Eastern Himalayas, Patkai-Naga Hills, Lushai Hills, the Brahmaputra Valley and the Barak Valley plains. The region has approximately 225 tribes in India, out of a total of 450 in the country. About 220 language and dialects are spoken in the region, which is peculiar to the region only, considering its geographical span. This is remarkable especially because the total population of the eight states constitutes less than 4 % of the country’s population. Each of the North-East states has its own unique history – of formation, of its ethnic people, tradition and culture.
North-East India has a significant contribution towards the Indian Nation building process. The region is filled with immense potential, talent and creativity which are highlighted by the contributions made by the region in fields of sports, arts, science, culture, music, films, tourism, media, literature, politics, etc. However, general lack of understanding of North East in rest of mainland India is a matter of concern. Due to negative publicity, there is a misconception that North-East is a disturbed land of militancy, ethnic violence, etc. In contrast, there is a lot scope for tourism, IT, fashion, music and food industry, etc in North-East. There are instances of attack, bad racial behavior in major cities of the country against North Eastern people.
Recently, Nido Tania, a young boy from Arunachal Pradesh was killed in Delhi, a case of racial discrimination. It has created protests, anger across India. Parties cutting across political line condemned the incidents, Delhi High Court came directed Government of India to adequately highlight about North East India and to make fast track court to address the various grievances relating to the people of North East India.
These initiatives are spearheaded by Trend MMS, the most reputed Socio-Cultural Trust of North East India in association with Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, Ministry of DoNER, GoI and Various North Eastern States.
With this background, North-East Festival is an attempt
- To create awareness about the region.
- To showcase the uniqueness of culture and people of India’s North East.
- Connect within the North East amongst various tribes and communities and to connect with rest of India.
- To showcase the core competency of the region – Tourism, Handloom Handicraft etc
- Create Marketing linkages.
- To create a platform to discuss the critical issues of North East India.
The First Edition of North East Festival(NEF) was organised in 8th and 9th November, 2013 at IGNCA, New Delhi. For the first time in the history, 8 North Eastern State Governments joined hand to showcase the North East. NEF got widespread publicity across the country and has become a platform for taking up various issues of North Eastern region.
The Second edition of North East Festival is being proposed on 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th November 2014. In between, Colours of North East – An Initiative of North East Festival was organised at Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai which was attended by top industrialists, Bollywood Celebrities, Movie producers of Mumbai.