Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 1
The Nagaland Governor PB Acharya and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said that the State’s primer festival Hornbill Festival can be considered as one of the ‘most talked’ and important tourism events worldwide.
Nagas deserves gratitude and appreciation for making the Hornbill Festival as one of the most talked about cultural festivals in the country, PB Acharya said on Saturday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 10-day State’s premier festival here at the Naga Heritage Village Kisama, he said that the Government of India has recognized Hornbill festival as one of the major performing artists’ events in India.
Music and Dance are an integral part of life of each tribe and it has the potential to attract more tourists and rapid economic growth of the State. Our youth excel when it comes to music and community dance. The traditional folk songs, the poetic love songs, the gospels and the exquisite classical tunes strengthen our ancestral life philosophy and our roots. Our identity is not only Dance and Music but should be economically strong society.
“Permanent peace is essential for an investment friendly environment. Peace has to be sustained. I hope that with the blessings of Almighty and ongoing peace talks in New Delhi, we will be able to enter an era of permanent peace“, Governor said adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the political will and guts to address our problems and bring a respectable solution.
To Home Minister Rajnath Singh, he said “we are optimistic about the prospects of the on-going dialogue to bring about a resolution to the long pending political issue.”
One of most important tourism events worldwide: CM
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said over the last 19 years, the Hornbill Festival has become one of the most important tourism events, not only in India but also worldwide.
“It is acclaimed as one of the best events for showcasing rich Naga culture and traditions, preserved over the years in the form of music, dance, food and culture. This unique event with a blend of tradition and modernity – the Hornbill Festival at Kisama and the International Music Festival being held in Dimapur, this year, shows the diversity of the Naga society,” Rio said at the inaugural event.
He maintained that Nagaland have the best of traditional dance and music as well as the best of modern musicians, choirs and artistes.
“The festival provides a platform to showcase the unique culture of the Nagas in all its glory. It also portrays the love and determination of the Naga people for preserving tradition and culture, which is the hallmark of our identity. We also see participation of not only the Naga tribes but also from the neighbouring states and beyond, symbolizing the strength of our nation, the feeling of unity and diversity,” Rio said.
Tourism has the potential to be the mainstay for our economy, he said, adding “Our focus has been to promote eco-tourism and sustainable tourism across the State through the Mini Hornbill Festivals which creates more opportunities for the people in the districts to showcase our diverse culture. It also provides tourists and visitors with more opportunities and events throughout the year thereby making tourism in the State sustainable.”
Reiterating that the people should join hands towards attaining sustainable tourism, Rio said “Since time immemorial, Nagas have had an oral tradition but now the onus is up to us, our historians, our thinkers and writers, and our tribal bodies to document our history.
