The Chief Minister Mr. Zoramthanga inaugurates the Anthurium Festival 2019 at Reiek Tourist Resort today. This two day festival is organized by the Tourism Department and will continue till tomorrow. Apart from the Tourism Minister, Mr. R. Lalzirliana, Art & Culture Minister and Mr. K. Lalrinliana, FCS&CA Minister were also present.

The Chief Minister in his speech said that the Anthurium Festival - a culmination of the anthurium flower of which Mizoram in a prominent grower, and tourism which is one of the greatest potential assets of the state - will constantly boost tourism in the years to come. He said that boosting tourism needs to go hand in hand with preparedness, and in this respect, the Chief Minister said that various developments are taking place to make better roads and also augmentation and strengthening of the airport.

Tourism Minister Mr. Robert Romawia Royte gave a welcome address to the festival goers. He expresed his happiness that the Anthurium Festival is finally organized after a two year hiatus and hoped that this festival will continue to bring in more tourists in the state.

Chief Secretary Mr. Lalnunmawia Chuaungo who also spoke on the occassion, congratulated the villagers of Reiek, which bagged the Cleanest Village award from Mamit District in the recent Swachh Bharat Mission - Gramin competion. He encouraged them to continue their efforts since they, in a way, represent the whole of Mizoram to the non-local tourists who come to Reiek, which is a major tourist destination.

Today's inaugural funtion of the Anthurium Festival was chaired by Mrs. Esther Lal Ruatkimi, Tourism Secretary. The festival will continue till tommorrow (5.10.2019) where Tourism Minister Pu Robert Romawia Royte will be the Chief Guest. In this two-day Anthurium Festival, top artistes of Mizoram will be entertaining the crowd. There will be colourful display of the various traditional Mizo dances performed both by adults and children. Some of the activities during the festival include trekking to Reiek hill-top, airgun shooting by the Mizoram Rifle Association, food courts, souvenir stalls by the KVI, fashion show and costume parade, Zorbing, Mini-golf, etc. The Reserve Bank of India has opened a kiosk within the premises, in order to spread financial awareness and will also make arragements for the public to exchange torn or old money (both paper & coin) at the spot.

Anthurium Festival was first held in 2006 at Reiek Tourist Resort, which was continued as an annual event till 2014. In 2015, the venue was shifted to Lengpui but 2016 saw the festival organized at Reiek.

In todays function, Adviser to CM Mr. C. Lalramzauva, Addl. Chief Secretary Mr. J.C. Ramthanga and other officials accompanied the Chief Minister.