AMPATI: The second edition of the Rhythm of the Hills – a three-day extravaganza of songs, dances, culture and music– began on a colourful note with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma inaugurating the festival before a gathering of people from various communities at Betasing block headquarters on Thursday.
The Chief Minister unveiled the logo and released balloons to mark the opening of the three-day festival.
Minister for Arts& Culture, Clement Marak, Parliamentary Secretary in-charge PHE, Noverfield R. Marak, Chairperson, Meghalaya Resources &Employment Generation Council, Dikkanchi D. Shira, IGP, Western Range, F.D. Sangma, Director, Art & Culture, Matsiewdor War-Nongbri, South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh and Superintendent of Police, Ramesh Singh alogn with local MDCs and district and block officials were among those present during the inaugural function.
In his address, the Chief Minister said that the idea of organizing such a mega event was not only to create a platform for cultural dances, songs and food stories, but also to generate opportunities and bring positive impact to the people.
Highlighting the ground realities in the rural areas where people are affected by poverty and backwardness, he said, “such programmes are organized to truly and economically empower our people.”
“What we have to promote through tourism is only our beautiful God-gifted land with its pristine forests and streams and the aspects of our culture which is our strength,” the Chief Minister said while urging upon people to create stories out of this natural beauty and the vibrant culture to connect with the world and make the microscopic communities known to them.
Narrating the positive story of a young man, who has earned substantial income within a short period by availing the scheme from Tourism Department and created a home stay at Pongkung near Mawlynnong, the Chief Minister called upon all enterprising youths to come forward and avail such schemes from the government and create more of such positive stories.
“We will build Meghalaya as an exclusive destination. Let us pull in all our strengths together to achieve that objective,” he added.
Art & Culture Minister Clement Marak, in his brief address, said that this event is an endeavour to bring people from all walks of life together under one platform where they can showcase their culture and tradition and their talents and also get to share and learn from each other.
Earlier, Director, Art & Culture, M. War-Nongbri in her introductory address highlighted the objectives of the three-day festival, which she said, was to promote culture as a catalyst for universal communication, among others.
Later the Chief Minister also inaugurated the Industrial Exhibition organized by the District Commerce & Industries Centre, where live demonstration on cottage industries like pottery, bag weaving with water hyacinth fibre, wood carving, cane and bamboo craft were also displayed.
The Wangala dance of the Garos, Hoko dance of the Koches, Jakhamari dance of the Hajongs and Bihu dance of the Assamese were displayed on day one of the festival.
