India and South Korea are preparing to jointly celebrate the unique autumn flowering of Himalayan cherry blossoms in the mountainous state of Meghalaya, the event organisers said on Friday.
This is the first time that India and South Korea are partnering to celebrate the four- day 4th International Cherry Blossom Festival from November 13 to 16 at the Polo grounds here.
Japan had partnered with India in the third edition of the festival held here last November.
The Manipur-based Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), which helps organise the festival, said the event generates huge employment and revenue in cities across the world.
"The general plan is to showcase the best Meghalaya has. The festival also acts as a platform for bringing in high-level delegations to work out investment opportunities, intellectual and cultural exchanges," ISBD scientist Albert Chiang told IANS.
"In general, the Cherry Blossom Festival acts as a catalyst for brining socio-economic partnerships for the development of the state," he said.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will inaugurate the festival in presence of the South Korea Ambassador to India Shin Bong-Kil.
There will be several Korean events (K-events) organised in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Centre India, including a K-Pop concert, Korean Taekwondo demonstration, as well as Korean cuisine and arts stalls exhibiting opportunities on education in South Korea.
A key event of the festival will be the summit between the Republic of Korea and the Meghalaya government on issues of environmental reclamation and waste to wealth, with several MoUs expected to be inked during the summit.
South Korea-headquartered multinational LG Electronics has also stepped in as a major sponsor for the festival.
Alongside, there will alsol be stalls showcasing the best of the region's food, wine and crafts.
Visitors can enjoy fashion shows, rock concerts, beauty pageants and even compete in an amateur golf tournament.
Jiten accuses RO of West Parliamentary seat for being ‘biased’ in election process; writes ECI
The Leader of Opposition and also the CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury on Thursday accused the Returning Officer of the West Parliamentary constituency of the Lok Sabha Dr Vishal Kumar over his ‘discriminatory’ attitude towards the opposition parties.
MHA extends AFSPA in parts of Arunachal and Nagaland for 6 more months
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in certain districts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months with effect from April 1, officials said on Thursday.
Arunachal was, is, and will remain an integral part of India: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that China's repetitive claims on Arunachal Pradesh will not change India's position, and the northeastern state will remain an integral and inalienable part of India.
‘To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture', says PM Modi on lawyers’ letter to CJI
Reacting to an open letter to the Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, which was signed by over 600 advocates on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that to "browbeat and bully others is the vintage culture of the Congress".
'Unacceptable, unwarranted': India again slams US' remarks on Arvind Kejriwal
Calling the US State Department's remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal "unwarranted", India on Thursday said that any such external imputation on the electoral and legal process is completely unacceptable.
Excise policy case: Delhi court extends CM Kejriwal's ED custody till April 1
CM Kejriwal, whose alleged role in the excise policy scam is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was produced before Special Judge Kaweri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court on the expiry of his six-day ED remand on Thursday.
CM not above law, says ED as Kejriwal questions rationale behind his arrest
"The case has been going on for two years. The case was filed on August 17. No court has found me guilty. There are no charges against me nor has any case been filed against me. But I have been arrested," he said.
Ukrainian FM arrives in India to build on talks between PM Modi, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
In a first high-level visit by a Ukrainian leader since the start of hostilities with Russia in 2022, Kuleba began his two-day official visit at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.