Kohima,16 June: Union Minister for DoNER and Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyer today inaugurated the 23rd Annual Convention of SPIC MACAY at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima.
Addressing the huge gathering at the new Hockey ground, the Union Minister said that unlike in the past, the northeastern part of India has integrated with the mainland. He said that ‘alienation’ and ‘neglect’, words that were earlier associated with the northeast region, have now become obsolete. He stated the example of Bangalore where over 20% of the workforce in the IT sector are from the north east region. He spoke about his initiatives to promote the north east region, such as Leave Travel Concession to government employees to visit the north east region.
Mani Shankar Aiyer appreciated the initiative taken by the Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University to link the University with Trivendum via satellite, so that students in Nagaland can be benefited from lectures delivered from Trivendum.
Addressing the gathering at the inaugural function, the Governor of Nagaland K. Sankaranarayanan said that cultural diversity is one of the world’s greatest gifts that binds the countries in some form of unification and described north east India as mini India where various culture flourishes side by side.
Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio who is also the patron of the event expressed optimism that the convention would bring meaningful contribution to the cultural advancement of the north east region and forged a closer bond amongst the various participating states. Cultural diversity makes India, specially north east the most enchanting region of the world, thus making the north east, the hottest tourist spot in the world. He further said that cultural events enables a person to enjoy life in the form of music, drama etc and creates an ability to see beauty in culture and music.
Prof. Kiran Seth of SPIC MACAY said that he looks forward to take some of the art forms of Nagaland to different parts of the country. He exhorted the participants to incorporate the beautiful composite heritage into their lives.
Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University Prof. K. Kannan in his welcome address described the convention as unique, where one would witness different forms of expression, be it vocal, instrumental, painting, photography, puppetry, gestures, dances, craft, weaving, yoga etc. ‘Participative experiences in the next one week should be transforming many of us in ways which we will realise slowly but certainly as we grow’, he said.
It is noteworthy that the state is hosting this 23rd Annual Convention of Society for Promotion of India Classical Music & Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY) although the state is yet to start its SPIC MACAY Nagaland Chapter. Over 800 participants from outside Nagaland and over 200 from within the state are participating in the six day festival. Those present at the function included Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Chief Secretary of Nagaland, senior bureaucrats and government officials. The function was chaired by Registrar, NU, Thejao Vihienuo while vote of thanks was proposed by K. T. Sukhalu, Secretary, Youth Resources & Sports.
Highlights of the inaugural programme included presentation of folk dances from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Nagaland.