Imphal, April 28: The North East Festival was kicked off on Thursday with much fanfare and people’s participation. The week-long festival is being organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) in the NE states. Taking forward the celebrations, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh inaugurated the opening ceremony of the North East Regional Sports Meet at Khuman Lampak in Imphal. This sports meet would enable the budding sportspersons in the state to compete with each other. Competitions were also held throughout the day at other locations in Manipur where youth participated in table tennis tournaments and football matches. In Assam’s Guwahati, ‘Jan Bhagidari’, events such as half marathon, walkathon and cyclothon was held under the theme of ‘Healthy Sports for a Healthy Mind’. The celebrations were also held in Mizoram as well. Events such as mini-marathons and cycling rallies were organized across Siaha and Lunglei districts. With emphasis on ‘Jan Bhagidari’, people from all sections of society participated in the events. Assam Rifles personnel took part in the cycling rally in Lunglei along with the civilians. Cultural festivities also began in Nagaland. The festival was celebrated at Shilloi Hotel Japfu, Kohima under the theme ‘Journey of Nagaland since Statehood’. The program was chaired by Commissioner, Nagaland. Cultural extravagance, choral and a presentation was showcased in the program. A photography exhibition on the history of Nagaland was also showcased by the State IPR Department. The celebrations also started with full public participation of citizens in Sikkim. A debate competition was organized on “Local Government making a mass development” at Soreng district. Painting, debate and essay competitions were held in one of the remote blocks of Gyalsing district. District quiz competition was held at Mangan district as well. (UNI)
