The North East India Festival officially commenced today in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, marking the beginning of an event that aims to strengthen the ties between India and Vietnam in the world of academics, trade, business, and culture.
The festival opened its doors to an assembly of stakeholders, including chief ministers, Union ministers and entrepreneurs from both nations.
The inaugural programme witnessed the participation of several notable personalities and associations from various provinces in Vietnam, underscoring the significance of the event.
The opening day’s programme was a blend of culture and diplomacy. It commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by a Sattriya dance performance by Mridusmita Das Bora.
India’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Sandeep Arya, delivered the opening remarks. Special remarks were also shared by India’s Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan.
The day featured talks on various destinations, including Assam, Arunachal, Meghalaya and Nagaland, presented by government officials and experts, emphasising the unique attractions of these regions.
Senior civil servant Frederick Roy Kharkongor was present to represent Meghalaya.
The festival’s cultural segment was brought to a close with a drum ensemble performance of the traditional music of tribes of Meghalaya, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes.
The second day of the festival, scheduled for Saturday, promises to be equally impressive, featuring the Incredible India Exhibition with a dedicated textile zone and state-specific exhibition zones from various North Eastern states. The day will also host discussions on trade and investment opportunities, the handloom and handicraft industry, and investable projects in the North East.
The event’s entertainment line-up will feature an array of cultural performances, including colourful folk dances from North East India, rock bands from both countries and fashion shows by designers from the region.
Leading designers Sanghamitra Phukan, Bidyut-Rakesh, Manjushree Saikia, Yana Ngoba, Hasina Kharbhih, Iba Mallai among others will showcase their works.
Musical performances by TaFMA (Task Force for Music and Arts) from Nagaland, The Fantastic Company (TFS), Bright Lights, guitar prodigy Imnainla Jamir, Trance Effect, K L Pamei and the popular band from Meghalaya ‘Summersalt’ will also be held on the occasion.
