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Cherry Blossom fest begins in Meghalaya

By Raju Das

SHILLONG, Nov 8 - The 2nd India International Cherry Blossom Festival was inaugurated here today with the release of a commemorative postage stamp of the festival, but the dampener was Cherry Blossom flowers are yet to bloom in most parts of the State Capital.

This year the trees have stubbornly refused to bloom and showcase their brilliant white and pink flowers, which are a distinct characteristic of the trees during this time of the year. Some have blamed it on climate change, others on the Government for holding the event a week earlier than last year.

The local media has pointed out this aspect over the past few days and also the fact that holding the festival is costing a fortune. The reports also questioned whether the returns would be commensurate with the investment.

Additional Chief Secretary, PS Thangkhiew tried to address some of these issues raised by the media during the inauguration, saying, a realistic assessment on the returns from such festivals would be possible only in the long term.

Thangkhiew said the Government cannot provide jobs and it has been seen the world over that tourism is a �significant job provider.� He further stated that such festivals would �improve brand of the State as a tourist destination and strengthen the economy.�

He also said that the budget for the festival may seem huge, but actually it was pooled from various departments. �For those skeptics, this is a strategy, tactic and the results would come in the long-term, please have patience,� the Additional Chief Secretary said.

Albert Chiang, an official from Institute of Bio-Resources and Sustainable Development, under whose initiative the festival was organised, said the late bloom of the Cherry Blossom has astounded everyone. �Some trees have bloomed in Upper Shillong and some flowers have bloomed here too in the city and we hope in the next few days we would see a full bloom,� he said.

Meanwhile, the four-day festival has many events spread out at different venues. The Ward�s Lake has been decorated with lights and there would be musical concerts in the evening. In other places there would be guided night walks, folk music, food courts and stalls to highlight the works of the local artisans.

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