Nadi Festival 2016
Date: Fri Jul 15, 2016 - Sat Jul 16, 2016
Location: Pinewood State Convention Centre, Shillong & Shri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture, Shillong , Hosts: Asian Confluence
Location: Pinewood State Convention Centre, Shillong & Shri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture, Shillong , Hosts: Asian Confluence
The Third Space Initiative christened Asian Confluence River Festival NADI, 2016 was held on July 15 – 16 2016 at Shillong as a joint initiative between Asian Confluence, Government of Meghalaya, Maulana Abul Kalam Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIS) and several other institutions. The primary objective was to bring together all the three spaces (government, business, and the people) to connect, deliberate and inspire all to recommit to a common vision we all nurture – clean environment and cheap connectivity, bustling trade and tourism and a networking platform for interaction among the three spaces.
Rivers do not follow political boundaries and rivers are important for future development. In the course of two days, representatives from neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal emphasised on the joint river management. The development of North East India and its neighbouring countries require joint cooperation on preserving the delicate ecology, especially the rivers. Mr. Syed Muazzem Ali, high Commissioner of Bangladesh in India, stated that "Rivers require sustainable joint management and the sooner we understanding this, the better." Recalling to the sad experiences of the world, he said, "Before it's too late let us try to save our rivers." Mr. Ali also remarked that "industrialization and building of hydroelectricity power plants must be carried out in a systematic manner." He also mentioned the fact that channels of many rivers becoming narrower year by year. He again said that “let us revive the river connectivity, trade and tourism by creating awareness."
Reflecting on similar views, Mr. Dago Tshering, former ambassador of Bhutan to India, said that "while sources of safe drinking water are shrinking, instances of rivers being polluted by toxic chemicals are also on the rise." Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma stressed on the fact that dialogue and engagement with the stakeholders would pave way for the effective convergence and action for use of rivers for mutual benefit and prosperity in the region. “We need to look at holistic system of managing our rivers," Sangma said addressing the inaugural session of the festival at the State Convention Centre. Mr. Rashid Khan Menon, Bangladesh minister of civil aviation and tourism said that "Bangladesh government is fully committed to fostering sub-regional cooperation by strengthening connectivity projects focusing rivers, roads and people." Mr. Menon has also stressed on the need to introduce direct flights between Dhaka and Shillong, Guwahati and Dhaka, Dhaka and Kolkata and Agartala and Dhaka, to promote tourism between India's North-eastern region and Bangladesh.
Cultural presentations, networking meets, live exhibitions, crafts bazaar, art and photography contests were held on both the days at Aurobindo Institute premises. The participants also witnessed a performance from a bard of Assam Mr. Bhupen Hazarika who had decades ago sung the song of unity of rivers, "Ganga amar maa, Padma amar maa".
After in-depth deliberations among experts of multifarious domains as well as three stakeholder workshops focused on media, tourism and connecting institutions, a broad consensus was reached i.e. reviving the river transport system which was prominent during pre-independent era; media to improve public perceptions and awareness in each country about the neighbouring countries; government, private sector and organizations to undertake initiatives to catalyse tourism in the region comprising India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar; and synergy between civil society and strategic community institutions to enhance public awareness and facilitate people to people contact.
