NE Tourism festival begins at Huishu River bank
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, April 27 2023:
The North-east Tourism Festival kicked off at Huishu village river bank, some 65km north of Ukhrul town on Thursday.
The inaugural function of the festival, which was scheduled to begin at 11 am, was delayed by almost five hours and began only at 4 pm, after none of the dignitaries listed in the programme managed to show up.
Despite this, the event went ahead with former BJP MLA intending candidate Hopingson A Shimray, caretaker chairman Ukhrul ADC Mark Luithing and Brigadier Rajiv Kumar Singh, managing director NEHHDC, Guwahati in attendance.
Speaking on the occasion, Shimray called upon villages in Ukhrul district to join hands in promoting tourism, describing it as the greatest income generating industry in the world.
Shimray urged the villages to be united, embrace the spirit of love and peace if they are to make the most of this industry.
He explained that any enmity among them could prove to be a major roadblock in the development of tourism in the district.
He added that tourism cannot prosper in the district if there is infighting between the villages.
He also shared his view on the scenic spot of the Huishu River side, stating that it has potential to become a tourist destination which could bring immense economic development opportunities to local villagers and the people of the district as a whole.
In addition, Shimray spoke about the importance of protecting the God-given environment and the importance of preserving the site and other natural attractions in the district.
In his speech, Mark Luithing, while appreciating the festival, appealed to the organisers to hold the festival not just in Huishu village but also in other parts of the district in future, so as to promote tourism across the district.
As part of the inaugural function, a cultural troupe from Kuirei village performed a traditional folk dance.
Popular Tangkhul artistes Yuileichan Mahongnao and Winso Cham-roy also enthralled the gathering with musical performances.
However, the turnout was found to be sparse, with only a handful of revellers, apart from local villagers.
Over 100 tents were also set up by the riverside as part of the arrangement.
The festival, which will continue till April 29, will host a plethora of events like arts and crafts exhibition, traditional dance and song performances, and other activities.
The festival is being organised by Ukhrul Hills Development Foundation (UHDF) through the government-run North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) .