Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will inaugurate Meghalaya’s first Cherry Blossom Festival on November 15, featuring new tourism initiatives and a literary festival later in the month.
Shillong:Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is set to inaugurate Meghalaya’s inaugural Cherry Blossom Festival on November 15, marking a historic collaboration with Japan for this vibrant celebration. The two-day event will take place in Madan Kurkalang, Ri Bhoi District, and is pending confirmation of attendance from a high-ranking Japanese official.Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh announced a new initiative called the Tourism Buddy Scheme, which will deploy 70 trained youth across popular tourist sites to enhance visitor experiences. These guides will be stationed at key attractions such as Laitlum, Ward’s Lake, Mawsmai Cave, and Umiam Lake, ensuring safety and assistance as the peak tourist season begins in November.In addition to the festival, literary fans can anticipate the Shillong Literary Festival on November 18-19, featuring renowned authors like Vikram Seth, Shobha De, and Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih.Meghalaya’s tourism infrastructure is set for a significant boost, with a total of ₹418 crore in funding from the Asian Development Bank (₹191 crore) and the state plan (₹227 crore). The construction of the Shillong Ropeway project is expected to start in mid-November.While discussions continue regarding a luxury rail service connecting Guwahati and Shillong, local pressure groups have raised concerns about potential mass migration, making railways a sensitive topic in the region.The Tourism Department is also planning to collaborate with local communities to manage various tourist sites, recognizing the community-owned nature of many destinations throughout the state.
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