Assam Governor inaugurates North East festival
Guwahati, January 7: Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi inaugurated the 9th edition of North East Festival at a programme held in the city here today.
Inaugurating the festival, Prof Mukhi said that North East festival is the powerful podium to let everybody know about North East India and showcase Assam and North Eastern states as a land of immense opportunities. The festival shall contribute towards the sustainable development of this region and the country.
The Governor said, “Nature has bestowed its beauty on North East. Every part of North East is endowed with heavenly beauty. The entire country has much to learn and imbibe from the cultures of the North East in terms of civilized behaviour, ancient practices, and modern outlook. The region is enriched with beautiful tribes who have been living here since ancient times.”
The Governor said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, North East India has taken giant strides towards development. Connectivity has improved leaps and bounds along with improvement of security situation in the region. The Governor reiterated that tourism is a key driver of North East as the region is blessed with enormous tourism resources in terms of snow capped mountains, wildlife, cultural diversity and pollution free environment.
He also expressed happiness that North East Festival has been focusing on tourism through networking of tour operators, cuisines of North East, weavers and artisans of the region. Agriculture is the backbone of the North East India and marketing linkage to Agri products is very essential for the farmers. Govt of India is focusing extensively on creating back end infrastructure and marketing support to agri and food processing products of the region.
Prof. Mukhi further said that the initiatives of the festival have taken place in sync with Make in North East, Start Up North East initiatives and as a part of the noble vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a vibrant North East India which will encourage entrepreneurship and job creation for the region and will also help in understanding the region.
Realizing the potential of North East India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the eight states of North Eastern Region as Asta Laxmi or the new engine for growth. Moreover, the geographical proximity of North East with other South East Asian Nations has made the North East a spontaneous choice of transit route for trade and commerce with ASEAN countries with Guwahati being tipped to be its gateway.
Advisor, Education Govt.of Assam Prof..Nani Gopal Mahanta, MD, NRL S.K.Barua, Chief Organiser of North East Festival, Shyamkanu Mahanta and Journalist Rajdeep Bailung Baruah along with other dignitaries were present in the inaugural function.