Minister of Development of North East Region, Tourism and Culture, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, today apprised the media about the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – North East Festival, which start from tomorrow, i.e., 28^th April, 2022.

The Minister said that inauguration of the week-long celebrations would be held across the 8 State in their own special and significant manner. He further added that the culmination of the week will be celebrated at a Valedictory event to be held at Guwahati on 4^th May. He informed that the event will be graced by the presence of His Excellency Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, along with Governors and Chief Ministers of all the States.

Shri Kishan Reddy impressed upon the fact that the AKAM week for North East will be leveraged to discuss and deliberate upon various aspects fundamental to the development of the North east region. It will be a celebration of hope, aspiration and vision for a developed and prosperous North East Region, he added.

Every day, starting from the 29^thof April, will be celebrated under a different theme across the 8 States, he added. He said that every key event will be attended by the concerned Union Ministers. It is hoped that the events would not only through light on the key issues but also provide a chance for different stakeholders to come together and deliberate on the vision collectively.

He also added that the unsung heroes of North East would also be celebrated across the week through different programs and events.

The events would also be gilded with cultural programs celebrating the uniqueness of the North East Region and showcasing its potential in a grand manner. He further reiterated that the AKAM-NE festival will sound the bugle for the Amrit Kaal of North East.

The Minister added that the Ministry of DoNER is the coordinating body for the festival. He said that Officers have been designated to coordinate programs in each of the States to ensure that every possible help is extended to the State governments.

The Minister also spoke on a range of subjects concerning development of the North East Region. He informed the press that a special Agriculture Task Force has been formed to ensure mission mode work on harnessing the agriculture and horticulture potential of the North East Region. He also said that development is the prime agenda in the region and the central government and State governments are in constant touch with each other.

The Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – North East Festival will be celebrated from 28^th April 2022 till 4^th May 2022. Each of the seven days will be based on separate themes, these include –

• Investment Potential and future energy needs of North East on 29^th April’ at Shillong
• Welfare of Tribalsand Border Management on 30^th April at Itanagar
• The Smart City Revolution in the NE on 30^th April at Gangtok
• Role of women in development of NE on 1^st May at Agartala
• Eco-Tourism in NEon 2^nd May at Aizwal
• Agri Horti and organic products potential of North Easton 2^nd May at Dimapur
• Sports Potential of the NE will be celebrated as a parallel Sports week has also been organized. The culmination would be celebrated on 3^rd May at Imphal
• Valedictory session would be celebrated on 4^th May at Guwahati

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MG/RNM/DP