Tourism, handicrafts focus of 3rd edition of North East Fest

Riding high on the success of last year, the 3rd edition of the North East Festival promises to be bigger and better this time round with special additions like handicrafts, local and tribal garments and ornaments, and local cuisine.
The three-day festival set to begin here from October 16 at Indira Gandhi National Centre (IGNCA).
"This time the main focus is on tourism and we are trying to call tour operators from all across the country to display the culture and heritage of the North East. Delhi Tourism is helping us quite a lot and any tourist who is traveling to Delhi that time the tourism department will motivate to visit the festival," Shyamkanu Mahanta, Organiser in Chief, North East Festival said.

The event is set to host 60 artisans and small textile entrepreneurs who will showcasing unique products from the region.
An exhibition of agriculture and horticulture, 40 musical bands with performances by popular stars of North East like Zubeen Garg, Alobo Naga and Band Papon has been scheduled for the the innagural day of the festival.
"I promise Delhi has never seen this quality of handicraft exhibition. We will also impart and display knowledge to visitors about North East Tribes and freedom fighters from the region," Mahanta said.

Dance performances like Bihu, Bagrumba, Manipuri dance, Mizo Bamboo dance, Naga unity dance and 30 more such forms are set to entertain the audience.

Besides, an awareness program is set to be launched on the world's largest river island 'Majuli' which is under threat from erosion.
"One evening will be dedicated to Majuli awareness. We have asked Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati to attend the program and discuss ways and means to protect the island. There are talks that Majuli might be included in Unesco's world heritage sight list," Mahanta said.