“NORTH-EAST FESTIVAL – 2013"

To reduce the regional gaps and to celebrate the essence of North East India, NORTH EAST FESTIVAL was organized on 8^th & 9^th November, 2013 at IGNCA Ground, Janpath, New Delhi. The event considered as the biggest ever festival on North East Region in National capital aimed to highlight the positive aspects of the region which is so full of talents, resources and success stories. The festivalhas been widely appreciated across all sectors including by the people of the region, thousands of people came to see this maiden festival. Around 100 newspapers in the National media appreciated the event and publicity received in the event is unprecedented in the history of this region which was mostly getting negative media publicity over the years.

The two day festival witnessed participation from all the eight North East state governments simultaneously on a common platform to showcase their investment and tourism potential. The festival drew participation from all sections of the society like sportspersons, actors, bureaucrats, singers, dancers, folk artists, bureaucrats, policy makers, media, students, entrepreneurs, chefs, corporate and common people.

The event was spearheaded by Trend MMS with support from Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of DonER, Government of India and all 8 North Eastern State Governments. Trend MMS is the largest Socio-Cultural Trust of the region which has organized many high-level events like Samannay across Assam, Sankaradeva Movement and North East Festival across India in a bid to promote and highlight the rich ethnic diversity of North East.

PROCEEDINGS AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FESTIVAL

DAY 1: Friday, 8^th November, 2013

Inaugural Session

The important dignitaries of the event who were facilitated and delivered their speeches during the inaugural sessions include the following.

• • • • •      Sri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission, Govt. of India was Chief Guest of the event.
        •      Sri P.S. Ghatowar, Union Minister, DoNER, GoI
        •      Sri MukulSangma, CM, Govt. of Meghalay.
        •      Sri PK Jeliang, Planning Minister, Govt. of Nagaland.
        •      Sri ArnabGoswami, Editor in Chief, Times Now
        •      Harishankar Brahma, Election Commissioner of Indin.
        •      AdilHussain, eminent actor and theatre personality
        •      Victor Banerjee, renowned actor.
        •      Sri DS Poonia, former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Manipur.
        •      Sri Gharekhan, President, IGNCA

The opening session was brought to a close by the release of the festival souvenir called “Enchanting North East” by the Guests of Honor for the opening ceremony. The souvenir is a compilation of articles by famous personalities like Prof. MrinalMiri, PC Halder, DS Poonia, Dr. JayantaMadhab, etc.

Cultural Carnival

The Cultural Carnival was inaugurated by Dr. MukulSangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya. The dance carnival from North East States started from 1 PM in the amphitheatre, which drew maximum attraction. Dance performances include Wangla dance from Meghalaya, Yak dance from Sikkim, Dholchalam dance from Manipur, Lion dance from Arunachal Pradesh among others traditional dance forms from NE States.

Discussion on “North East India as special focus of India’s Look East Policy and Internal Security of North East”

The Festival also aimed at highlighting the various critical aspects of North East India.  The seminar on Look East Policy and Changing paradigm of Security of North East India highlighted the burning issues – insurgency, peace process, reaching out to ASEAN countries and way forward. 

A very interactive session, it was attended by:

• • • • •      Gautam Mukhopadhaya, Indian High Commissioner to Myanmar
        •      Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home, GoI
        •      YS Shahrawat, Chairman, LPAI
        •      Ranjan Mathai, Former External Affairs Secretary
        •      GK  Pillai, former Home Secretary, GoI
        •      PC Halder, Interlocutor, Peace Process in North East
        •      BG Verghese, eminent journalist
        •      Victor Banerjee, Eminent Actor

It was an intriguing session for more than three hours with active participation from audience. A case was made as how the Government of India should focus more on this so that its North Eastern region can reap its strategic & economic advantage.

Interactive Session on security and other issues of North East Students in Delhi

The session was attended by:   

• • • •      SN Brahmo Choudhury, Adviser (NE) Planning Commission
      •      AM Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of DoNER
      •      Robin Hibu, Joint Commissioner, Delhi Police

Leaders representing different NE Students Union in Delhi       

The session was attended by 23 student bodies of North East based in Delhi. Threadbare discussion took place on all issues faced by the student including issues of security, fund requirement for setting blood banks, Hostels and the process of implementing the same.

Various measures adopted by the Delhi Police as well as the Home Ministry were shared with the students. There was an intriguing discussion followed on the various issues like racial discrimination, sexual abuses, ghettoism, education etc. were discussed. Students and working professionals highlighted issues that need to be addressed by the government. 

Cultural Evening

The cultural evening was inaugurated by the event ambassador Olympian MC Mary Kom.

Performers:    Guru Rewben Mashangva from Manipur

                                Tamak Komut from Arunachal Pradesh

                                Mami Varte from Mizoram

                                Zubeen Garg and Jubili Baruah from Assam

DAY 2: Saturday, 9^thNovember, 2013

Business to Business (B2B) Session on North East Tourism – “Paradise Unexplored”

Venue – Lecture Hall of IGNCA, Building No. 5

A productive session, it was chaired by Sri Madan Prasad Bezbaruah, Member, NEC. Other speakers were K. Damayanthi, Joint Secretary, DoNER, Subhash Khanna, President, IATO, Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Principal Secretary, Govt. of Manipur and senior officials of India Tourism, Assam Tourism.

During the session it was decided that a proposal for Air connectivity for the region would be moved from the North East Festival platform.

Concurrent Session - Empowering Entrepreneurship in North East – success stories, skill development strategy

Venue – Conference Hall of IGNCA

Speakers -     JP Rai, Director General, National Skill Development Agency

                                DS Poonia, Ex- Chief Secretary of Manipur

                                B. P. Mukhtieh, CMD, NEDFi

Few successful entrepreneurs of the region comprising Kh. Palin of Manipur Shija Hospital, Dr. Dhabali of Classic Hotel Manipur, Mr. Habib Choudhury of Laos, Mr. Khanindra Barman who is running 17 restaurants in Bengaluru  and Hyderabad, Mr. Sidhanta, innovator from London who despite all difficult situation attained success spoke about their journey.

Interaction with North East Icons

This interactive session was attended by Olympian MC Mary Kom, eminent actor Adil Hussain, Maharaja of Tripura Pradyot Debbarman, Owner of Lajong Club and Centre Point Hotels, Larsing Ming. The icons talked about their vision of North East, their journey and answered queries from media and general public. The session was aimed at giving opportunity to common people to interact with their icons and draw inspiration and courage to fight for what they want to do in their lives.

The packed hall room where this took place was filled with positive vibes from these fighters who braved all the rough in their individual lives and succeeded in doing what they loved. 

Closing Ceremony, Fashion Show and Cultural Evening

The closing ceremony was attended by Sri Nabam Tuki, CM, Arunachal Pradesh, Sri Pema Khandu, Minister for Tourism, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Robin Hibu, Joint Commissioner, Delhi Police, Sri SN Brahmo Choudhury, Adviser (NE), Planning Commission, Sri DS Poonia, Ex- Chief Secretary of Manipur and board of advisor of North East Festival.

Following successful personalities from North East were felicitated:

v  Jadav Payeng, popularly known as Forest Man of India

v  Adil Hussain, eminent actor and brand ambassador of the event

v  Dr. Palin, Founder, Shija Hospital, Manipur

v  Habib Mohammed Chowdhury, Founder, HSMM Group, Laos

The fashion show was organized exclusively by the designers and models from North East, displaying rich and unique pattern, design of North East handloom. Showstoppers were brand ambassadors Mary Kom, Adil Hussain, Zubin Garg, Guru Rewben Mashangva

Cultural Evening – thousands of spectators enthralled by the performance by Kalpana Patowary, Alobo Naga & Band and the star attraction was Khasi rock singer Lou Majaw.

 

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