PM Modi to inaugurate ‘Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav’ to showcase eight northeastern States

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav 2024 showcasing northeast's culture, crafts, and investment opportunities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ‘Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav 2024’, a three-day festival beginning December 6 at the Bharat Mandapam here to showcase the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the eight northeastern States.

The Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia said the ‘Mahotsav’ would provide an unprecedented platform for the region’s vibrant textile industry, artisanal crafts, and unique Geographical Indication (GI) products.

Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim are also referred to as the ‘Ashtalakshmi’ or eight forms of prosperity. “They contribute significantly to India’s cultural, social, and economic fabric. The event will foster long-term business relationships between the northeast’s artisans and buyers, and is expected to generate a large volume of on-spot sales and many bulk orders,” the Minister said.

Investors will also meet government representatives and entrepreneurs to discuss investment opportunities in textiles, handicrafts, agriculture, and tourism.

At the curtain-raiser event for the ‘Mahotsav’, Mr. Scindia highlighted the importance of the northeast in India’s future development, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. “It is the PM’s vision that the engine for the growth of India should be the northeast region. The eight avatars of Lakshmi — prosperity, opulence, purity, wealth, knowledge, duty, agriculture, animal husbandry — represent the essence of the northeast,” he said.

Mr. Scindia said the Ministry had set up five task forces to analyse and improve the value chain of local products, ensuring that farmers and artisans maximised their economic potential. “The possibilities in the northeast are massive, whether it’s bamboo, rubber, or other local products. We are working to connect these with the rest of the country and the world,” the Minister said.

This apart, a bankers’ summit would be held in the coming days to strengthen the banking infrastructure in the northeast, and improve access to credit and financial services for entrepreneurs and start-ups. A special fashion show would also be organised to bring forth the fusion of contemporary design with traditional textiles, showcasing Muga silk gowns and Eri silk stoles.