Tourism to be key focus of North-East Festival

The festival will be held at IGNCA, Janpath, from October 16 to 18. Apart from showcasing the best that North -East has to offer, promoting and boosting tourism in the region will be the key focus of this year’s edition.

The major attraction this year is the commencement of the North-East festival football competition, driven by Indian Collegiate Athletic Program (ICAP), the inaugural edition of which will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from October 9 – 15. Football is a major sport in the North-East and the region has produced many of India’s top footballers. 

The competition will feature over 25 teams, comprising of college teams from the NCR region and North- East. Speaking about this year’s edition, <g data-gr-id="31">Shyamkanu</g> Mahanta, the organiser in chief of the festival said, “This year, tourism is the key focus and the festival would bring forth various facets of the North-East.  With the enthusiastic support of Delhi Tourism, we are inviting tour operators across Delhi to be a part of the event and we expect, many foreign tourists as well.”

 He added, “Various festivals of North- East would be showcased during NEF.  Around 60 tribal artisans and textile entrepreneurs would exhibit the best of North -East handloom and handicrafts.”

 The North-East Festival’, has become a brand which is synonymous with the unification of the various stakeholders of North East under one dynamic platform. It is organised by the reputed socio-cultural trust, Trend MMS, in association with IGNCA and North-East Today. The event is expected to be attended by more than three lakh people, and will include top North-East icons, policy-makers of the country, senior ministers in Union Cabinet, Chief Ministers of various northeastern states, top bureaucrats, intellectuals, students, and tour operators.

Being one of the biggest tourism festival of India the festival will stage 40 musical bands. A dedicated handloom and handicraft exhibition will also be showcased which will represent the best work of tribal artisans. Special sessions on the strategic importance of North-East and the Act East Policy will be organised. Galore with fun and frolic the festival will comprise music, dance, fashion, food, exhibition of tribes, freedom fighters, film, discussions and much more.