The North East Festival is back to enthral Delhi as the 3rd edition of the festival returns to the capital. Bigger and better than before with some special additions, the festival will be held at IGNCA, Janpath, New Delhi from October 16 – October 18, 2015. Apart from showcasing the best that North East has to offer, promoting and boosting tourism in region will be the key focus of this year’s edition of the North East Festival.

The “North East Festival”, has become a brand which is synonymous with the unification of the various stakeholders of North East under one dynamic platform. North East Festival is organised by the reputed socio-cultural trust, Trend MMS, in association with IGNCA and North East Today. The event is expected to be attended by more than three lakh people, and will include top North East icons, policymakers of the country, Senior Ministers in Union Cabinet, Chief Ministers of various North Eastern States, top bureaucrats, intellectuals, students, and tour operators, among others.

Besides tourism, the major attraction this year is the commencement of the North East Festival Football Competition, driven by Indian Collegiate Athletic Program (ICAP) , the inaugural edition of which will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from October 9 – October 15. Football is a major sport in the North East and the region has produced many of India’s top footballers, and the competition is a celebration of the association between the people of the North East and this wonderful sport. The competition will feature over 25 teams, comprising of college teams from the NCR region and North East.

Speaking about this year’s edition, Shyamkanu Mahanta, Organiser in Chief, North East Festival said, “This year, tourism is the key focus and the festival would bring forth various facets of the North East.  With the enthusiastic support of Delhi Tourism, we are inviting tour operators across Delhi to be a part of the North East Festival and we expect, many foreign tourists as well.”

He added, “Various festivals of North East would be showcased during NEF.  Around 60 tribal artisans and textile entrepreneurs would exhibit the best of North East handloom & handicrafts.”

Highlights of North East Festival 2015:

·      With 40 musical bands  with some of the best musical bands of India, 30 dance forms it is one of the biggest tourism festival of India

·      A dedicated Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition showcasing best of ethnic handloom & handicraft products. Around 60 artisans/ textile entrepreneurs to showcase unique products of NER

·      Agri Horti Exhibition

·      A seminar on design improvements wherein the top designers of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts will train the artisans

·      Seminars on the potential of the food processing industry and the impact of North East Industrial policy in association with FINER

·      One evening dedicated to Majuli, world’s largest river island which is being lost to erosion

·      A session on strategic importance of North East and Act East Policy

·      State specific presentations from North Eastern States

·      Dance Performance by various tribes of North East

·      Traditional Sports of North Eastern India

·      North Eastern Food delicacies

·      Fashion shows showcasing best of North East designs

·      Exhibition of North Eastern Tribes

·      Exhibition of North East Freedom fighters​