Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sukanta Majumdar model Northeast fashion for stylish ramp walk at Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav

Both ministers seem to have put their skin in the game by personally championing Northeast culture at a time when BJP is being questioned about Manipur, unrest in the NorthEast and the restive border with Bangladesh.

Two worlds, politics and fashion, collided in Delhi when Union Ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sukanta Majumdar decided to walk the ramp in stylish formals at the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav fashion show on Saturday.

Celebrating the vibrant cultural and traditional heritage of Northeast India, it was held at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi and inaugurated by PM Modi on Dec 7.

One of the event's highlights was a fashion show, spotlighting the region's rich fashion and textile traditions.

Both ministers walked the ramp wearing ensembles with traditional northeastern motifs and weaves.

Scindia is the minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, while fellow BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar is the minister of state for Development of North Eastern Region. Both ministers seem to have put their skin in the game by personally championing Northeast culture at a time when the BJP is being questioned about Manipur, unrest in the NorthEast, and the restive border with Bangladesh.

Both chose to wear off-white jackets. However, Scindia certainly looked more dapper, wearing a cravat-style scarf, than his colleague Majumdar, whose stylist had made the unfortunate decision to go for a voluminous dusty-pink stole. But both looked equally pleased to shed their ordinary attire for more stylish threads for a good cause.

After the show, Scindia tweeted: "Truly a celebration of culture and creativity! Had an amazing time at the fashion show showcasing the vibrant styles of Northeast India! Each state was beautifully represented by talented artists and models. Honoured to be part of the event with my colleague Sh [Sukanta Majumdare] Ji."

This was the first-ever Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav — celebrated from December 6 to 8. The festival showcased the beauty, diversity, and promise of the eight states of northeastern states -- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim. Together they are known as the 'Ashtalakshmi'.

While inaugurating the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, PM Modi had asserted that previous governments at the Centre had not paid much attention to the progress of the Northeast due to fewer seats in the region, weighing development against votes.

Cities like Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, and Aizawl are set to become new beacons of growth, like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, he had added.