New Delhi, Feb. 16 (ANI): Recently, 'Destination North East - 2016 Festival' was organized at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi in a bid to showcase the inherent economic, social and cultural strength of the North East Region (NER) at the national level.
The three-day long mega event was held by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.
DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh and Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the festival.
"It is first of its kind happening in Delhi. We never had a three-day spread over with such versatility from business to tourism, trade and handicraft and cultural event. I personally do not subscribe to the idea of bringing northeast closer to mainstream India, but rather the rest of India needs to be brought closer to northeast," Singh said.
Artists from the northeast region enthralled audience with their mesmerizing performances.
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Cultural troupe of AO tribe from Nagaland attired in colorful costumes and headgears performed a traditional 'War dance'.
Reang community from Tripura also mesmerized the people with their fold dance 'Hojagiri'.
Artists from Mizoram performed traditional 'bamboo dance'.
A group of male artists from Manipur also presented a 'Pung Chalom' dance where the performer plays the "Pung" or drum with graceful vigor and acrobatics.
Bihu dance from Assam, Wangla dance of Garo community from Meghalaya, Tamang Selo dance from Sikkim, ?Bro Zai dance from Arunachal Miji tribe were also performed in the event.
"There are majorly three components of this event to show the strength, potentials and initiatives taken by government for north east, what states have done for north east and what people are doing for their livelihood. We had a session on tourism, IT and IT'S. We also have a session on livelihood, handloom, skill development, micro finance, startups. The aim of event is that people should know northeast as tourism, business," DoNER secretary Navin Verma said.
"It is a very good platform for us to showcase our dance and culture of Boros. I feel very happy to be a part of this event. It is very good platform for all the communities belonging to northeast to showcase the things that are not explored," Tehumbrohma, an artist from Assam said.
Artisans and textile entrepreneurs from northeastern states exhibited their handloom and handicraft products.
Various items like bamboo and cane products, shawl, silk sari, bags, jewelleries, decorative items and many others were displayed.
"A lot of stalls of the northeast are displayed. They have brought several innovative ideas and products. We have never seen such bamboo and cane products. From sofas, flowers to household products are displayed here. It is a very good event," a local said.
Fashion designers from northeast put up a vibrant show.
Models walked down the ramp attired in creations of designers from the Northeast.
They showcased the traditional weaving patterns and rich colorful fabrics by the numerous tribes of the northeast.
During the event, Guru Rewben Mashangva - also known as the King of Naga Folk blues from Manipur - enthralled the crowd with his energetic performance.
Music dominated the evening and attracted people from different tribes and communities.
Later, popular rock music band and folk fusion bands like Reverse Tragedy Band from Mizoram, Purple Fusion from Nagaland, Rita and musical folks from Meghalaya and Mayukh Hazarika and the Brahmaputra balladeers from Assam mesmerized the audience.
"It's wonderful because we are always confined in the cocoon doing nothing but here in the mainstream going around and sharing our music. Now people are eager to know about northeast music and here at 'Destination North East', they are doing a great job." Lamtsala, a vocalist from Purple Fusion from Nagaland said.
Such festivals play a significant role to facilitate better understanding and bridge the gap between the northeast and the rest of the country.
The next venues for 'Destination North East' will be Mumbai and Bengaluru, followed by other parts of the country.