Current Theme State
India’s Ashtalakshmi A North Easter Odyssey
Nestled amidst hills, vales, rivers and forests India’s Northeast is a rendezvous of multiple communities, faiths and cultures. Located in the easternmost region of India, the Northeast comprises of 8 States namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura often termed as the Eight Siblings with Sikkim- referred to as the ‘Brother’ to the ‘Seven Sisters’. Encompassing an area of approx. 2.63 lakh sq. km which is about 8% of India’s total land area, Northeast India is home to over 45 million people, which is approx. 3.76% of India’s total population. Sharing international boundaries with Nepal, Bhutan, China (Tibet), Myanmar and Bangladesh, the entire region is considereda the gateway to Southeast Asia, especially under the Government of India’s ambitious Act East Policy.
Bestowed with rich natural resources, history, culture and traditions, Northeast India is a reservoir of bewitching diversity. With ethnic diversity ranging from Austro-Asiatic to Tibeto-Burmese to Indo-Aryans, the region is a microcosm of India’s composite culture.
Rightly called India’s Ashtalakshmi by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the linguistic and cultural diversity of Northeast India is as breathtaking and vibrant as its verdant hills, meandering rivers and lush valleys. Ethnically, the region boasts of diverse indigenous tribes and sub-tribes with each tribe nurturing its indigenous language, vibrant culture, tradition, heritage and customs. Nature has been their benign best in the region. Besides being rich in natural resources of “TOT” (Tea, Oil, and Timber), the region is also a gene pool of rich biodiversity. Even with such incredible diversity, the social fabric of the region by and large is one of harmonious coexistence.
From hills to the plains, Northeast India is a rich tapestry of cultures ranging from highly developed classical dance forms, and visual arts to vibrant and rhythmic folk dances and songs by the indigenous people for Mother Nature.
The undulated hills and valleys, the virgin forests, the cascading waterfalls, the perennial rivers, the lush green tea gardens, the mystic mountains, the myths, the legends, the wildlife, flora and fauna, the people – their culture, tradition, heritage, cuisine and celebrations make India’s Northeast an explorer’s paradise. The Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2023 celebrates this unique diversity of India’s Ashtalakshmi- the Northeast. With NER as the theme region, the event will be a magnificence to experience and explore.
