SHILLONG, Meghalaya (SAR NEWS) — India’s high-profile Minister of  State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, released a musical expose  of Northeast India, produced by Don Bosco Institute of Management, Guwahati, at an international seminar in Shillong, April 9. The eight- minute film entitled Mist & Magic is a video presentation of the hidden beauty and charm that is Northeast India.  

               (Union Minister of India, Sashi Tharoor in conversation with Fr. VM Thomas SDB at the release of ‘Mist & Magic’  Shillong 9th April, 2010).

“Come and see this land, and feel its emotions…” serves as  the chorus that captures both the heart and mind of the  listener/viewer.
The theme music was composed by well-known Assamese Tarali Sharma and the lyrics are from the Psalms — “Northeast India, Bless the Lord!” by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil sdb of Guwahati.
Salesian Father Joseph Pulinthanath, an international and  national award-winning director from the region, directed the film along with a professional cameraman. While location shooting was done  in the seven States of Northeast India, the editing was done at  Thiruvananthapuram and the colour synchronisation at Hyderabad.
Among those present at the release were Governor of Meghalaya  Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, Vice-Chancellor NEHU Prof. Pramod Tandon, and Director of Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati, Father V.M. Thomas.
While stressing that the Salesian society will continue to serve the region, Father Thomas also said he saw great significance and relevance at Mist & Magic, being released at a Northeast-centered International seminar.
Tharoor released the song and handed a DVD of the same to the Governor of Meghalaya.

The seminar on “From land locked to land linked, Northeast India in  BIMSTEC”, April 9-10, held at Northeastern Hill University Shillong was  attended by a high-powered delegation consisting of ambassadors and  high commissioners from neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand.
The acronym BIMSTEC means Bay of Bengal Initiative for  Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
Clarifying the interest of the Don Bosco Society in the meet,  Father V.M. Thomas, the director of Don Bosco Institute, said, “For us Salesians the tryst with Northeast India dates back to the beginnings of the congregation and time has proved it to be momentous for the destiny both of the region and the congregation.
The visual tour de force, Mist and Magic, deliberately showcases the best of Northeast in the hope that the widespread but false perception of the region as a backward place would be corrected.
The speakers at the seminar also highlighted the various programmes of the ‘Look East Policy’ of the Government of India that are being implemented in the region. People from various walks of life gathered at the multipurpose Auditorium of North Eastern Hill University to listen to the galaxy of speakers. Among those invited to the Inaugural function of the seminar were Salesian priests, P.V. Joseph (DB Cultural Institute, Shillong), George Plathottam (media commission secretary to Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, New Delhi) and Joseph Pulinthanath (award-winning film director, Agartala).
Reflecting on Don Bosco’s involvement in the region, Father V.M. Thomas said, “At such time as this when the region is seriously considering strategic alliances that could have far-reaching political, social and economic import, we consider it our responsibility and privilege to accompany the people of the region through and beyond these vital thresholds.

By C. M. Paul, SAR NEWS.