SHILLONG: Shillong became the first hill state in the country to celebrate Autumn Cherry Blossom Festival that was inaugurated at the Polo Grounds here by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Monday.
The four-day festival – organised by the State Government in association with the Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Government of India – seeks to promote Meghalaya as a favoured tourist destination to many a domestic and international tourists.
Hailing the maiden Cherry Blossom Festival of the country, the chief minister said that the festival is a humble yet wonderful initiative and it “represents one added flavour that does justice to the beauty of our wonderful Meghalaya”.
Sharing his views on the first edition, he assured people that five years from now, the venue for the festival will have to be a bigger one as the State government has the intention to carry it forward.
Optimistic that the festival will serve as a brand offering from the State, he said, “Last year we had a programme to sensitise people as to why and how we should plant cherry blossom. Cherry blossom festival is also a component for branding the state.”
“I have invited people from Delhi to get away from the pollution and to visit Meghalaya to have a meaningful holiday to recharge themselves so that they can go back to their state and be more productive,” he added.
He added that productivity is under threat because of health reasons, and according to the CM, Meghalaya is one of the places where people can spend quality time in the serenity.
Showing his deep appreciation for the organic look the festival wears, Sangma said that the event is beautifully conceptualised and emphasised that the Cherry Blossom Festival is one component that compliments the other attractions of the state.
“The festival will help facilitate the branding of the state to the outside world,” he said hinting at his “destination Meghalaya” project. “We have so much in our own backyard and these resources should be the source of our sustainable livelihood and prosperity,” he added.
Chief Secretary K.S Kropha added that the festival will not be a one-off event but it will form a permanent feature in the calendar of festivals and festivities of Meghalaya.
Assuring that it is the endeavour of the State government to improve the festival celebrations, he said “It is a humble beginning and there is a need to address the shortcomings to take the event to the national and international calendar.”
The Chief Minister visited the stalls put up for exhibition and sale by various government departments and those put up by other groups and agencies. He also planted cherry blossom saplings at the venue of the festival. A rendition of the famous song, “We are the World” by the Serenity Choir, cultural dances performed by Khasi, Garo and Jaintia troupes were the added attractions on Day 1.
Forest & Environment Minister Clement Marak, Kropha, Prof. Dinabandhu Sahoo, IBSD Director, government officials and functionaries, tourists, civil society members and students were present on the occasion.
The four-day festival, to be held at different venues in the city, in addition to the exhibition cum sale and food stalls, will have a drawing and painting competition, food fest, story-telling sessions, archery, traditional and western music shows.
In appreciation of the scenic beauty of Meghalaya and other northeastern states, Sahoo said, “There is so much to show to the world (in Meghalaya and NE)… In a span of one year we are able to launch the festival.” He also urged the Chief Minister to take a delegation to Japan to have a firsthand account of the Cherry Blossom festival in April.
People throng venue
Meanwhile, the demonetisation move could not affect the footfall at Ward’s Lake or bar people from having a bite of some of the delicacies on the premises of Tara Ghar. Both venues were lit up for the Cherry Blossom Festival.
On these four days, the Lake will be opened to the public till 7:30pm for evening walks and fine dining.
