Meghalaya set to host Northeast Regatta at Umiam

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 25: The state tourism department, in collaboration with Umiam Sailing Club, is set to organize the exciting Northeast Regatta and a thrilling concert extravaganza from April 29, 2023, to May 2, 2023, at the Umiam Watersports Complex.

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Located, about 20 km from Shillong, Umiam is a 220 sq. km man-made reservoir at a little below 1,000 metres or 3,200 feet above sea level.

Following the grand inauguration by state tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma will visit on April 30 to cheer the participants. The event will witness 80 participants from over 10 states across India which includes 12 clubs during this 5-day racing extravaganza.

Teams from the Indian Army and Naval Services along with Uday Foundation Team (The first and only Sailing NGO from India) will be actively taking part.

The purpose of a boat regatta is to promote water sports in the state, enhance tourism, put the location on the world sailing map, produce medalists, and empower youth by creating job opportunities and encouraging participation in workshops.

The event will include boat races, as well as music and cultural events, nature excursions, food and flea markets, a tour package for sailors and tourists, paintball, camping spots, and the introduction of river cruise boats in Umiam. The event is open to any club, team or individuals from the country and is expected to attract approximately 80-100 sailors from 12 clubs, including Army and Navy teams and 6 Class Associations. There will be an electrifying public concert on April 29 and 30, featuring a diverse lineup of local, national, and international artistes. Each performer will bring their unique beats to the stage, making it an unforgettable experience for music lovers.

Day 1 of the concert will feature K-Pop artiste Kim Woojin as the headliner, while Day 2 will showcase Delhi-based band Twin Strings as the headlining act. There are other incredible artistes lined up, including Lynx, Ricaa Stella, Banrap, Rum & Monkeys, LB3, Young Natee, Larger Than 90, and DJ Favian, and many more. These concerts promise to be a mesmerizing experience that will leave one spellbound with their distinct yet divergent sounds. Entry to these concerts is entirely free.

Registration for the event started at 5 pm on April 24 and passes can be availed from https://rockskitickets.com/ner/. This event is the perfect way to unwind, relax and have an unforgettable adventure with one’s friends and family.

2-day craft bazaar begins at NIFT Shillong

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 16: A two-day Craft Bazaar 2023 organised by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Shillong was inaugurated by the Director of Textiles & Handicrafts, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Haj Dodung today at Umsawli.

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Dodung said that NIFT, Shillong has done commendable work by organising such a programme and creating a platform for artisans to showcase their work and sell their products.

He emphasized the importance of supporting artisans, who are the backbone of the economy, to preserve the tradition of arts and crafts, even in the fast-paced digital world.

The Commissioner and Secretary, Election Department & Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya, Frederick Roy Kharkongor, IAS spoke about the importance of contemporizing ethnicity and folk stories in handloom and handicraft of the region.

While speaking at the launch of the event, the Campus Director Shri Shankar Kumar Jha expressed his appreciation for the artisans’ work and emphasized the critical role that institutions such as NIFT play in promoting and showcasing the unique and creative crafts of India globally in collaboration with artisan community.

The Craft Bazaar is a unique initiative of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, designed to provide a platform for artisans of Handicrafts and Handlooms to showcase their work and sell their products.

Artisans from 23 clusters of North East India were invited to participate in the Craft Bazaar 2023, where they displayed their unique and creative crafts. The display left the attendees impressed and fascinated, some of the crafts on display included native beads and Viko from Nagaland, handlooms from Aizawl and Guwahati and weaving of Meghalaya.

The two-day Craft Bazaar will conclude on March 17, 2023, and is open to the general public, who can visit the NIFT campus and buy handicrafts and handlooms directly from the artisans.

NIFT-Shillong to host 2-day Craft bazaar

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 15: The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Shillong will be hosting a two-day Craft Bazaar on March 16-17 at the NIFT campus in Umsawli Mawpat.

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The event is inspired by Father of the Nation-Mahatma Gandhi’s “Swadeshi Movement” and will be showcasing a diverse range of handloom and handicrafts from North East India.

Craft Bazaar 2023 is intended to promote and empower artisans, weavers and entrepreneurs of the North Eastern Region. The Chief Guest for the occassion will be Haj Dodung, Director of Textiles & Handicrafts, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The Inaugural function is scheduled to start at 10 A.M.

About 14 stalls will be exhibiting and selling exquisite works of 22 artisans and weavers from the NE region including Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya.

The stalls will be showcasing products like Cane-Bamboo, Jewelry, Handloom, Weaving, Embroidery, Dry Flowers, Black Pottery, Textiles, and many more.