India’s first Cherry Blossom fest in city

SHILLONG, NOV 9: Shillong will host India’s first Cherry Blossom Festival on November 14 and showcase the outstanding and unique beauty of the pink and white cherry blossoms along with Meghalaya’s traditional arts, culture and cuisine.

The event is being organised by the Meghalaya government in association with the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), a National Institute of Department of Biotechnology of the union government.

This festival will not only bring socio-economic development of the region but will also promote Peace, Prosperity and Sustainable Development, which is one of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, said Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director of IBSD.

Sahoo further said that the festival would set the stage for the Year 2017, which has been declared as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, by the UN.

In general, Cherry Blossom Festivals, also popularly known as Sakura Festivals in Japan are held in the month of April, every year. A few other countries like USA, Korea, China and Australia, also organises such festivals, which creates positive impacts on the local economy, and it is estimated that the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival alone generates about US$126 million dollars every year by drawing in huge numbers of tourists.

The opening ceremony of India’s First Cherry Blossom Festival will be inaugurated by Meghalaya chief minister Mukul M Sangma on November 14at Polo 2nd ground, Shillong.

All through the festival, there will be several events showing the unique culture of Meghalaya blending with the cherry blossoms. Presently, the city of Shillong and adjoining areas are slowly turning pink, as the blossoming has started and Shillong will be in full bloom during the festival.

Now, tourists from India needs not go to Japan or USA to experience the Cherry Blossom Festival by spending thousands of dollars or yen. One can enjoy the similar activities in India right now. Cherry Blossoms can bring a ‘pink revolution’ in India, said Prof Sahoo.-By Our Reporter