5 days cultural festival Maati Ke Rang organised by North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) concludes yesterday at NEZCC Complex Dimapur. A closing function was held on the occasion with the Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya as the Chief Guest. The programme which begins from 6 pm yesterday showed various cultural programs representing the diverse cultural flavours of India (through seven Zonal Cultural Centres). The NEZCC complex was jammed with thousands of people.
The Governor was accompanied by Additional Secretary to Government of India’s Ministry of Culture, KK Mittal, Director of NEZCC, Lipokmar Tzudir, and DC of Dimapur, Wezope Kenye, among others.
Giving a brief history of Maati Ke Rang, KK Mittal, Additional Secretary to Government of India’s Ministry of Culture informed that the Government of India had intentionally decided to host this edition of the festival in the North East. “We, the Government of India, are trying to generate cross cultivation of cultures in India, and this is possible through festivals like Maati Ke Rang,” said the Additional Secretary. There is a special component in “our schemes,” he stated, to provide artists and the people the chance to see various cultural forms prevalent in the country. This is an opportunity for the people of the North East to witness cultures from other parts of India and vice versa and it raised awareness of cultures. Mittal hoped that such cultural exchanges can be promoted in the future with even richer content. He complimented the NEZCC on behalf of the Government of India for being able to hold such an event, which has increased the capacity of the region to host such events.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor, PB Acharya said, “India is a secular, plural and diverse country. North East is full of diversity, and India is known for its unity in diversity—different cultures thriving together. Nagaland also has 16 tribes in a population of 20 lakh…we are diverse and we can move forward together. There are 8 states in the North East but sometimes it feels like one way traffic. (Contd. on page 2)
