STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Northeast Festival is back in Delhi at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from December 23 to 26 during the Christmas celebrations.
North East Festival is the capital's biggest and most awaited fiesta - North East Festival-is back! Visitors experience the diverse food, crafts, and culture of the region, under one umbrella.
The tenth edition of the North East Festival will be inaugurated by G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, and expected to be graced by Piyush Goel, Minister of Commerce & Industry (2019-present), Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution; Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Cabinet Minister, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Ministry of Ayush, Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Law & Justice, and respective Chief Ministers of the region among other dignitaries. Since its inception in 2013, this larger-than-life festival has contributed towards a significant rise in boosting tourism in the North Eastern states. The first seven editions were organized from 2013 to 2019 respectively at IGNCA, Janpath, New Delhi, and witnessed massive crowds. The last two editions were held in Guwahati, in a hybrid model, due to the insurgence of COVID-19.
Chief Organizer of North East Festival Shyamkanu Mahanta said, "After two years of lockdown, social distancing, and various COVID-19 protocols, we're extremely happy and excited to be back to our favourite place; i.e., Delhi. The city has always given us love. As the name goes, North East Festival - Connecting people Celebrating life - is a festival that celebrates the beauty, diversity, and integrity of North East India. The USP of this festival is the way in which we seamlessly integrate elements of social cohesion, cultural heritage, and economic welfare, making them an immersive experience for all. We've been able to sensitise people to recognise and respect the opulent and diverse heritage that the region holds. People are now aware of our culture and traditions, and that has helped in reducing racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia - a major issue faced by North East Indians. This time, we've chosen a much bigger venue, thus expecting greater footfall."
Also Watch: