7th NESt. FEST 2024: Celebrating Unity and Diversity
New Delhi, 21st September 2024: The 7th edition of NESt FEST-2024, organised by My Home India, commenced on a grand note with the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram . Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju, along with other dignitaries and a large crowd of attendees, joined in the rendition, filling the stadium with a sense of pride and unity. This year’s festival celebrates India’s vibrant and diverse culture under the theme ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.
In his welcome speech, the founder of My Home India Shri Sunil Deodhar called for strengthening the bond of oneness across India, stressing the need for unity. Following this, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, former Union Minister addressed the gathering, praising the exceptional work of Shri Sunil Deodhar and My Home India in promoting the welfare of the Northeastern region and supporting students from the area who are studying in various parts of India.
Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju spoke about My Home India’s significant efforts in reuniting thousands of missing children with their families and creating a welcoming environment for Northeastern students in the national capital. He highlighted the notable achievements of the Modi government over the past decade, emphasising that the Northeast is not just a part of India, but truly represents India. “We are the mainstream,” he remarked. Shri Rijiju also acknowledged the special focus given to the Northeast by the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He noted his own achievement as the first SC-ST Law Minister after Dr. BR Ambedkar and mentioned that there are currently three tribal ministers in the Union government.
Shri Rijiju also honoured senior RSS Pracharaks Shri SB Konale ji, who has worked in Meghalaya, and Shri Jagdamba Mall ji, a key functionary in the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram who has worked in Nagaland, for their dedication to the Northeast region.
Union Minister of Development of the Northeastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, also graced the event.
In his address, he highlighted the Modi government’s efforts to improve air connectivity and infrastructure in the Northeast, describing the region as a “precious gem in the Bharat Mala.” Shri Scindia also felicitated Padma Shri Uday Deshpande for his work in reviving the traditional Indian sport of Mallakhamb.
The event featured a series of cultural performances, including a remarkable Mallakhamb display by visually impaired students from Padma Shri Uday Deshpande’s academy. Students from various universities, including Subharti University, Delhi University, and Chandigarh University, showcased traditional and tribal folk dances. The evening also saw electrifying performances by renowned Northeastern artists such as Jessie Lyngdoh, a famous singer from Meghalaya, Alobo Naga, a popular band from Nagaland, and Ruatpuil, a celebrated Mizo folk singer, among others.
With active participation from students across the country and captivating performances by several well-known artists from the Northeastern region, NESt FEST-2024 successfully highlighted the unity, rich traditions, and cultural diversity of India. The festival truly celebrated the unique heritage of the Northeast and its significant contribution to the broader cultural tapestry of the nation.