Meghalaya, Japan share cherry love

Shillong: Meghalaya, which is flush with cherry blossoms at this time of the year, and Japan are sharing their mutual love for the pink flowers and their rootedness in culture at this year's Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival.
The festival showcased the Japan Arena that wonderfully flaunted the culture, heritage and food of Japan.
Chief minister Conrad K Sangma and Union minister for the ministry of development of north eastern region, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, strolled around the venue and tried Japanese cuisine in the Japanese Arena on the first day of the Cherry Blossom Festival at RBDSA sports complex, Bhoirymbong in Ri Bhoi district on Friday.
Sangma and Scindia together laid the foundation for the Skywalk project in Shillong.
The chief minister said a skywalk will also come up at Mawkdok featuring the sloping hills and deep valley of the tourism hotspot.
Union minister Scindia lauded the govt's efforts in promoting tourism and the state through festivals.
Popular 70s reggae, disco, and funk sensation, Boney M brought disco back at the Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 with their legendary performance, getting the audience sing and groove to their music.
"We are sure AKON was not Mr Lonely at the Shillong #CherryBlossomFestival2024. The crowd joined the R&B icon as he performed his hits, striking nostalgia in most millennials. Thank you for your awestruck performance, Akon!" the CM tweeted after witnessing the performance.