The three-day Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan in the national capital evoked a very good response from the residents of Delhi-NCR and the people of the North East residing in Delhi.
Organised for the first time by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) and Invest India from December 6 to 8, the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav showcased the rich diversity and vibrancy of North East India, highlighting the region’s crafts, art, and cultural heritage in a grand commercial manner.
The eight States of the North East, often referred to as the ‘Ashtalakshmi’ or eight forms of prosperity, contribute significantly to India’s cultural, social, and economic firmaments.
Inaugurating the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, “North East is the ‘Ashtalakshmi’ of India,’ said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.’’ Prime Minister Modi called the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav a celebration of the North East’s brighter future adding that it is a festival of a new dawn of development, propelling the mission of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ forward.
“Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim… Ashtalakshmi is seen in these eight States of North East,” Modi said.
Modi further asserted that the 21st century belongs to India.
“The 21st century belongs to the East, to Asia, to the East, to India. In such a situation, I firmly believe that the coming times in India also belong to eastern India, to our North East. In the past decades, we have seen the emergence of big cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai…In the coming decades, we are going to see new potential in cities like Agartala, Guwahati, Gangtok, Aizawl, Shillong, Itanagar, Kohima. Events like Ashtalakshmi will play a very important role in this,” he said.
We are connecting the North East with this ‘triveni’ of emotion, economy and ecology,” the Prime Minister said.
“In the North East, we are not just building infrastructure, but are also building a strong foundation for the future,” the Prime Minister said.
He said natural resources are plentiful in North East India. “There is an amazing confluence of minerals, oil, and biodiversity. It has huge potential for renewable energy. This Dhanlaxmi is a blessing for the North East,” Modi said.
“Our North East is famous for natural farming and millet. We are proud that Sikkim is the first State which is an organic State,” he said.
Union Minister for DoNER, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Central Ministers, Chief Minister of Assam, Dr.Himanta Biswa Sarma and his counterparts from other North Eastern States were present on the occasion.
Many programmes were lined up during the three-day festival to showcase the region’s huge potential in different sectors.
The Mahotsav provided an unprecedented platform to showcase the region’s vibrant textile industry, artisanal crafts, and unique Geographical Indication (GI) products.
A special fashion show choreographed by director Prasad Bidapa with top designers from the North East like Jenjum Gadi from Arunachal Pradesh, Priyanka D. Patwari from Assam, Daniel Syeim from Meghalaya, Richana Khunmanthem from Manipur, Patricia Zadeng from Mizoram, Bambi Kevichusa from Nagaland, Karma Sonam Bhutia from Sikkim and Jyotshna Debbarma from Tripura showcasing stunning ensembles with the fusion of contemporary design with traditional textiles – Muga silk gowns and Eri silk stoles – turned out to be the cynosure of all eyes.
Another highlight of the event was the AR-VR immersive virtual journey through NE India’s hidden gems like Shergaon, Arunachal Pradesh, Kaziranga National Park, Assam, Moirang, Manipur, Sohra, Meghalaya, Thenzawl, Mizoram, Namchi, Sikkim, Kisama village, Nagaland and Matabari, Tripura.
Technical sessions and round table investment forums were held where investors met State representatives, industry leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss investment opportunities in textiles, handloom and handicrafts, agriculture and allied sectors, tourism and hospitality, education and skill development.
All the eight States of NER presented their investment opportunities and highlighted investment-ready projects in key sectors to the investors. An NER postal stamp pavilion showcased the rich postal history of the region.
