Pink Revolution in North East: India's First Cherry Blossom Festival
Date : 14th November 2016

India’s First Cherry Blossom Festival begins this Children’s Day, on 14th November 2016 and will continue till 17th November 2016, at Shillong, Meghalaya. This is also the World’s First Autumn Cherry Blossom Festival and will provide outstanding opportunities not only to show the unique beauty of pink and white cherry blossoms but also showcase Meghalaya’s traditional arts, culture and cuisine.

This is being organised by the Government of Meghalaya, in association with, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), a National Institute of Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India. This festival will not only bring socio-economic development of the region but will also promote Peace, Prosperity and Sustainable Development, which is one of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, said Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director of IBSD. He further said that the festival would set the stage for the Year 2017, which has been declared as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, by the UN.

In general, Cherry Blossom Festivals, also popularly known as Sakura Festivals in Japan are held in the month of April, every year. A few other countries like USA, Korea, China and Australia, also organise such festivals, which creates positive impacts on the local economy, and it is estimated that the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival alone generates about US$126 Million Dollars every year by drawing in huge numbers of tourists.

The opening ceremony of India’s First Cherry Blossom Festival will be inaugurated by Dr Mukul M Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya on November 14, 2016 at Polo 2nd Ground, Shillong.

All through the festival, there will be several events showing the unique culture of Meghalaya blending with the Cherry Blossoms. Presently, the city of Shillong and adjoining areas are slowly turning pink, as the blossoming has started and Shillong will be in full bloom during the festival.

Now, tourists need not go to Japan or USA to experience the Cherry Blossom Festival by spending thousands of Dollars or Yen. One can enjoy the similar activities in India right now. Cherry Blossoms can bring a ‘pink revolution’ in India, said Prof Sahoo.

A full calendar of events, coverage of the blossoms, the online photo competition and live feed of the signature events is available on the :-
Festival website –www.cherryblossomfestival.in
Facebook (CherryBlossomFestivalofIndia)
Instagram@CherryBlossomShillong #cherryblossomshillong

For further information/ clarifications , please contact
Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director IBSD
(Email- dbsahoo(AT)hotmail(DOT)com)