Resubelpara, Dec 9: The A•we Festival 2025 opened oon Tuesday n North Garo Hills with a colourful and energetic inauguration that drew thousands of visitors, students, entrepreneurs, officials, and cultural troupes. Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira inaugurated the two-day festival, calling it a celebration of culture, creativity, and new opportunities for the people of Garo Hills.
The ceremony began at 11 AM with the felicitation of dignitaries, followed by a welcome address from Deputy Commissioner Dr. Abhishek Saini, who lauded the collective effort of the district in bringing the annual event to life. Students of D.I.E.T., Resubelpara, and Mendipathar College set the tone with a welcome song and a traditional folk performance.
Addressing the gathering, Kharkutta MLA Rupert M. Momin said this year’s edition is “bigger and more dynamic,” with more stalls, activities, and youth participation than ever before. Calling education the foundation of progress, he said the state government is strengthening the sector to ensure that “if education excels, every field will also excel.”
Urging locals to champion indigenous enterprise, he called for wider promotion of “Made in Garo Hills” and “Made in Meghalaya”, particularly in agriculture. He also highlighted emerging business opportunities through water routes in Goalpara, noting that produce from North Garo Hills holds export potential to markets in the US and Europe.
Mendipathar MLA Marthon J. Sangma emphasised that the festival has become a key platform for artisans, farmers, and young creators to showcase their skills and expand their markets. “The purpose is to improve tourism and provide visibility to local talent,” he said.
Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira, the Chief Guest, said the festival is more than a cultural event—it is a launchpad for local entrepreneurs and young performers. “Visitors will witness the diverse talents of our youth and the richness of our local products. These platforms support livelihoods and strengthen the tourism economy,” he said. Shira added that the ancient Shivalinga in Resubelpara is a major attraction with the potential to elevate the district’s tourism profile, stressing the need for more hospitality infrastructure, taxis, and food outlets.
The inaugural session featured a spirited Wangala dance by Mendipathar College students, followed by performances from Aryaan Dance Academy, Mobit, Lening, Enosh, DSP, the CM MGMP team, and Paschal English Secondary School. A key highlight was the distribution of laptops under the CM MGMP Catalytic Fund, underscoring the government’s push for digital learning.
After the ceremony, the Tourism Minister and other dignitaries visited the stalls, interacting with entrepreneurs who have benefitted from government schemes. The grounds buzzed with activity as youth participated in games, while attractions like on-spot zip lining drew excited crowds.
Post-lunch events included a Flower-cum-Vegetable Show, the A•we Dance Battle, and the Miss A•we Beauty Pageant, all of which saw enthusiastic turnout.
The A•we Festival 2025 will conclude on December 10, with a highly anticipated performance by RIPRAP Band, expected to draw one of the largest crowds of the celebration.
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