Recently, a seven-day cultural festival of the northeast as part of the celebrations of 75 years of Independence under the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav programme concluded at the National Museum, Delhi.
Context
Recently, a seven-day cultural festival of the northeast as part of the celebrations of 75 years of Independence under the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav programme concluded at the National Museum, Delhi.
Key-points
- Aim: To bring the rest of India closer to North East (NE) India.
- It holds a special presentation of art and craft, textiles, ethnic products, tourism promotion etc. of the eight northeastern states.
- Ministry of Development of North-East Region.
- North Eastern Council (NEC): It is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the NE Region which consists of the eight States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
- It was constituted in 1971 by an Act of Parliament.
- National Museum: The blueprint for establishing the National Museum in Delhi was prepared by the Maurice Gwyer Committee in May 1946.
- It was initially looked after by the Director-General of Archaeology until 1957 when the Ministry of Education declared it a separate institution and placed it under its direct control.
- At present, the National Museum is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Culture.
Assessing importance of the northeast region
- Sandwiched between neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Bhutan, and Nepal, India’s Northeast holds strategic and political importance.
- It ensures India’s connectivity with the rest of East Asian countries.
- The region is one of the 17 biodiversity hotspots in the world.
- With just 7.98% of the geographical area of the country, the northeast (NE) has nearly 25% of India’s forest cover.
- The NER has immense natural resources, accounting for around 34% of the country’s water resources and almost 40% of India’s hydropower potential.
- Sikkim is India’s first organic state.
- The region is home to a large number of ethnic communities and diverse tribal groups having unique dialects and traditions.
- Tribes in NER have their own culture. Popular festivals include the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, Pang Lhabsol of Sikkim, etc.
