North East Festival starts in Guwahati city for maiden time

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The eighth edition of 'North East Festival' (NEF) got under way with an enthusiastic inaugural session here on Saturday.

Even though the NEF was being organized in New Delhi in the recent years, the current pandemic has forced the organizer to hold the festival in the city by following the COVID-safety protocols.

Joining the inaugural session online, Union DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that the North East is a place of ample of wealth and resourcefulness. He added that constructing more railway lines and connecting routes between the North East and other regions are the priorities of the Centre.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal talked about encouraging the youths in particular and the masses in general of the North East region to use their natural resources rightfully. Hard work will definitely result in a better and brighter future of the entire region, he said.

Chief Minister of Tripura Biplab Kumar Deb said, "This North East region is an asset to the country. Our food and cuisine can be promoted to the world. The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, connecting the north-eastern States, is a landmark and will serve as a major factor to boost the Tourism sector."

The chief organiser of NEF, Shyamkanu Mahanta said that what had started as a small-framed work in New Delhi with a few of his friends has now established itself. Over the years, the NEF has become a positive and massive festival celebrated and recognized globally, he pointed out.

The NEF showcases and creates awareness about North East India and also promotes entrepreneurship and tourism. Besides being an attempt to attract tourism and investments, one of the major aims of the festival is to also create positive vibes during these trying times.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Union Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and Assam Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary were among others who attended the inaugural session.