SHILLONG: Thousands of people attended the fourth edition of the India International Cherry Blossoms Festival in the city on Saturday.
Local and foreign tourists alike enjoyed their day out taking part in the now famous Cherry Blossoms Festival.
The final day of the festival witnessed various events to foster economic and cultural ties between India and South Korea.
It may be mentioned that South Korea was the partner country in this year’s festival.A bilateral summit between South Korea and Meghalaya was also held earlier in an effort to foster socio-economic friendship.
In a bid to strengthen the ties between the two countries, a screening of Korean movies was held including a performance by K-Pop artist, Jang Hanbyul.
On reaching the venue at Polo Fifth Ground, one could see the various stalls, especially the ones selling food, being swarmed by visitors.
Another key venue for the festival was at Ward’s Lake.
South Korean Ambassador to India, Shin Bong-Kil graced the closing ceremony of the festival as the chief guest.
In his address to the gathering at Polo Fifth Ground, he said that he was surprised to learn that K-pop or Korean pop is immensely popular in the state.
“I hope that one day groups like BTS will performe in this city,” Bong-Kil said.The South Korean Ambassador to India also said that he expects mutual cooperation in the cultural and economic sphere between South Korea and Meghalaya. “This is the best ever time in bilateral relationships between the two countries and the future looks even better and Meghalaya can contribute to it,” Bong-Kil said.
He also expressed his happiness that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will be visiting South Korea to further strengthen bilateral ties between Meghalaya and South Korea.
He informed that before his departure on Sunday, he will be meeting Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy.
Bong-Kil informed that the two sides are looking for a tie up in the field of tourism, reclamation of abandoned mines, and restoration of water bodies among others.
He also gave away prizes to winners of the various events held during the festival.
Forest and Environment Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui was also present as the guest of honour.
Later in the evening, there was a traditional music ensemble of the Khasis and Koreans.
Earlier in the day, a Cherry Blossom Golf Tournament was organised.
The prize winner was Gaurav Baja (maximum birdies), in the ladies category.
The nett winner was Gunjan Singhania and the nett runner-up was Pooja Goenka.
In the men’s veteran category, the winner was KW Marbaniang.
The nett runner-up was Tony Curtis Lyngdoh.
In the men’s 13-24 category, the nett winner was Dilip K Borah and the nett runner-up was Joydeep Bhattacharjee.
The Stableford winner was P Hangsing and the Stableford runner-up was Fearless Warjri.
In the men’s 0-12 category, the gross winner was Gaurav Bajaj and the gross runner-up was Batkupar Synrem.
The nett winner was KI Singh and the nett runner-up was Lakshya Baja.
