N. Arhe
Much has been said and heard about the recently concluded Hornbill festival; whether it’s the ecstasy of the rockers or the agony of the local traders, one has been a witness to wide-ranging opinions. Stall-owners at kisama blamed the Rock fest for magnetizing all the visitors, on the other hand, lower income people without private vehicle complained about transport, entry fee, toilet fee, food et al. All said and done, one must remember organizing any festival on the magnitude that of hornbill is bound to have downside.
In my view, the finest thing that has come out of the festival is people’s participation. We have seen locals thronging all the events that coincided with the festival. More significantly people are talking, and they are talking about the Hornbill much after the drums have died down. And that is a good indicator that people are ready to be part of the states’ affair. Hornbill may mean different thing to different people but, to me it has been a fete where people danced, sang and ate. And talking of eating, I would like to talk you through my platter.
For starters, I’ll order for applause! Yes, round of applause for the DAN Government for “thinking out of the box,” to initiate and include many first time like the Film fest, Rock fest and also opening the DC’s residence as a heritage site to the people. Indeed, many youngsters were taken by surprise. A young professional from Bangalore remarked, “The last thing I wanted to do was to work in Nagaland, but this trip has given me hope, I think I will come back for good”. Another student from Delhi smugly asked “when the world is becoming a global village, can we be left behind? Clearly, the festival had provoked many thoughts”. Like the young professional, there were many others whose voice swelled with pride talking to media people from mainland India about their State. Certainly, change of outlook, one that flicker of hope for many.
For beverages, I’ll go the traditional way. When we are so proud of our rich culture and tradition, why make the local brew a taboo. A supposedly youth leader was seen drinking the local brew in a steel mug. The very fact that he was drinking in a steel mug triggered a journalist interest. When she asked him, what he was drinking he sheepishly replied “same thing as you are drinking”. In her curiosity she asked ‘so why aren’t you drinking in a bamboo mug?” he retorted “Oh, if anybody from my church sees me, am a dead meat”. Sigh! She was lost for words.
For the main course, there were plenty to offer the taste buds. Sema’s kitchen in my opinion was by far the most popular. Where else would you find big chunks of smoked pork cooked with the finest Naga Akhuni and with it freshly plucked green veggies .The food was scrumptious not just by the tourist tang but, by the locals alike.. “When local hotels in Kohima and Dimapur serving the same food is price much lower then what they are selling here, why are they being so pricey” someone whined while paying up. Apparently the only problem seemed to be in its pricing.
Oh, the desert. It has to be bitter sweet. The Rs. 5 gate fee was avoidable, especially when all the high income people were let in for free. Most people who paid up were school and college students, besides the nearby village folks. Rs 5 for using the toilet which was terribly dirty with no water cannot be justified by any perspective. It could have been 1 or at the most Rs. 2. And foods, with due respect to all the great chefs, please consider long term and make it more affordable catering to all stratum of society.
And finally, as I mentioned earlier, this was probably the first time in the state where people’s participation in a Government project was seen like never before. Yes, you are allowed to be opinionated. Its only when each one raises a voice, good or bad, collectively we can all make a difference. My only advice is when Hornbill comes along next year; Make sure you blow your horn before paying your bills and not the other way round!
