SHILLONG:
Amidst opposition from certain quarters for holding the Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday, Leader of the Opposition Ronnie V Lyngdoh said that nobody is being discouraged from carrying out their religious obligations, and attendance at the Cherry Blossom Festival is not compulsory.
According to Lyngdoh, one has to look at the larger picture before opposing the festival, and the Cherry Blossom Festival is specially for tourists from outside.
He said that more crowds can be drawn if such events are held on the weekends which starts from Friday and ends on Sunday.
The Leader of the Opposition pointed out that the State does not have avenues to generate revenue and tourism is one of the best ways to generate revenue.
Acknowledging that it is important to abide by religious beliefs, he however said that the Government has directed that the festival will begin after 3 pm on a Sunday and by that time the worship time for the Christians is over.