Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to grace inaugural ceremony
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 29
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will grace the inaugural ceremony of the Hornbill Festival on December 1 at 3:30 PM at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. US Ambassador to India Kenneth I Juster will be the guest of honour while Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde will be the special guest.
Nagaland Governor P B Acharya and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will be the chief host and host respectively. Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, general secretary, Nagaland Baptist Church Council will invoke God’s blessing.
Shikuto Zalipu, village chief will pronounce traditional blessings. Rattle & Hum Music Society will manage the opening ceremony.
Day one activities will feature, inauguration of handloom & handicraft, craftscape, hortiscape, horse ridings & pony cart ride, NAAME adventure activities, Kids Carnival, Artists Corner/ competition/ exhibition, Hornbill night carnival at Kohima main town and BOC Kohima, Hornbill international photo fest, launching of Hornbill Music fest at Agri Expo, Dimapur, inauguration of traditional evening park at Kigwema, People’s festival Khezhakeno and launch of trekking & hiking to Mount Teyozwu.
Entry permits norms for foreign tourists Foreign tourists no longer require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP)/Protected Area Permit (PAP) to enter Nagaland, according to a brochure brought out by Directorate at Tourism, Nagaland.
As per the new rules, the foreigners only have to register themselves at the local Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the district they visit within 24 hours of their arrival in Nagaland.
However, citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh and China still need to apply for PAP/RAP from the Home Ministry. One can apply for the permit at Nagaland House in Delhi, Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi. Phone: +91-11-23012296.
Pony & Cart Ride
The animal husbandry & veterinary services, Government of Nagaland is launching Hornbill Festival Pony &Cart Ride on December 1 at Pony Farm, above Japfii Christian College Kigwema. Advisor for animal husbandry & veterinary services R. Khing will formally launch the event at 2 PM.
Taxi rate for hire/contract
The All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) with HQ in Kohima has notified taxi rate for hire/contract for Hornbill Festival 2018.
The whole day charges from 8 AM to 6 PM have been fixed at Rs. 2500 in and around Kohima jurisdiction. Half day charges from 8 AM to 1 PM would be Rs. 1800.
For dropping of passenger to Dimapur by local taxi, the rate has been fixed at Rs. 2500 for which NOC from the ANTA HQ Kohima would be required. ANTA stated that the stated rates are meant for Hornbill Festival 2018 only. Contacts: ANTA helpline- 9436694693. Office: 0370- 2290147.
