President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 8th Bhartiya Kala Mahotsav, focussed on the North-Eastern states, on 28 September 2024 at the Rashtrapati Nilayam, Secunderabad, Telangana. The eight-day-long Bhartiya Kala Mahotsav will be open to the public from 29 September to 6 October 2024.
During the inauguration ceremony, the Governor of Telangana, Jishnu Dev Verma, Minister of State for the Union Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region Sukanata Majumdar and dignitaries were present.
President Murmu is on a day-long visit to Telangana. Earlier, the President attended the 21st convocation of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law at Hyderabad, Telangana.
The 8th Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav, focussed on the North Eastern states, is being organised by the Union Ministry for Development of the North Eastern Region in association with the Union Ministry of Culture.
The Mahotsav will showcase the art, culture, crafts, and culinary diversity of the North-Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
More than 300 artists and artisans from these states will be participating in the event at the Main Lawns of Rashtrapati Nilayam, the winter home of the President.
The Mahotsav will highlight the region's contribution to India’s cultural heritage. It also promotes social harmony, inclusive development, and broader recognition of the North East’s vibrant traditions.
Rashtrapati Nilayam, situated in Bolarum, Secunderabad, was constructed by the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1860. The government of India took over from the Nizam after the integration of the princely state of Hyderabad with India in 1948.
It has been converted into the President's winter retreat, where the President stays for some time in the winter and conducts official business.
The summer retreat of the Indian President is at Shimla, where the President stays during summer and conducts the official business.
The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University is a statutory body established under the NALSAR Act 1998, passed by the Andhra Pradesh State Legislature.
However, in 2005, after the creation of the Telangana state, the NALSAR is governed by an act of Telangana.
The University is based in Hyderabad, Telangana and admits students from all over the country for legal studies.
The Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court is the de facto Chancellor of the NALSAR University.
Currently, Justice Alok Aradhe is the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court and the Chancellor of the NALSAR.