Dimapur: Delegates from Ladakh and Kerala experienced a unique cultural moment on Wednesday, as they participated in and revelled in ‘Mekhela Wednesday’ at Nagaland University, Medziphema campus.As part of the Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme, an initiative of the ministry of development of northeastern region and the North Eastern Council, the Medziphema campus of Nagaland University is hosting 40 students and four teacher-in-charge from Ladakh and Kerala from Feb 1 to 14, a varsity release said on Thursday.The visiting delegates witnessed and actively participated in ‘Mekhela Wednesday’, a mid-week cultural practice of the School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), Medziphema campus, where the women faculty and staff donned mekhelas, the traditional wraparound attire, along with other indigenous garments.The practice fosters a sense of togetherness and cultural pride, as participants gather, even if briefly, to celebrate tradition and capture shared moments through photographs.Sharing her experience, Dr Garima Gupta, one of the teachers in charge of the Kerala team, said, “Wearing the mekhela was a beautiful and deeply enriching experience for us. It allowed our students to connect with the culture of Nagaland in a very personal way. Such initiatives make cultural exchange truly meaningful.”The Mekhela Wednesday is both a workplace initiative and a mission-driven movement aimed at preserving traditional weaving skills and sustaining the livelihoods of local weavers.
