Chairman NKVIB Neiphrezo Keditsu lighting the bonfire at the inauguration of the KYO traditional evening park 1 at Kigwema village on December. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | December 1
Kigwema Youth Organization (KYO) initiative Traditional Evening Park, an extension of the Hornbill Festival was inaugurated on by Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board Chairman, Dr Neiphrezo Keditsu at Kholera Ground, Kigwema village on the evening of December 1.
Speaking on the occasion, Keditsu lauded the KYO for collaborating with the department of Tourism in organising the 10-day extension of the main Hornbill Festival to create an avenue for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of the village to generate income by showcasing their handicrafts, vegetables and food products from the village.
Appreciation Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio under whose vision tourism sector in the state has come a long way, Keditsu said the Hornbill Festival has now become a tourist destination for people from across India and abroad.
Stating that Nagaland has vast potential in tourism sector, he emphasized on the need to focus more on tourist outlook in line with that of neighbouring South East Asian countries to make the tourism industry boost the economy of the local communities.
He also expressed happiness that the KYO has set up many stalls to promote the produce of the village
Pointing out that people come to Nagaland just to taste the food and products that the local communities have to offer, he encouraged Kigwema villagers to focus not only on products of the village but to also source various products from the neighbouring villages. He further encouraged the youth and expressed hope that a feel of a mini-Hornbill festival will take off in Kigwema through the Traditional Evening Park.
Besides organising the Traditional Evening Park, the KYO has also taken on the responsibility of hosting 10 out of the total 17 cultural troupes that are participating in the 22nd edition of the Hornbill Festival in Kisama. Advisor for Technical Education & Election, Medo Yhokha along with the leaders of Kigwema Village Council, Kigwema Women Organization, Kigwema Students’ Union and Kigwema Gazetted Officers Krotho were also present at the inaugural programme.
It may be mentioned that the event was conceptualised by the KYO to provide income generating opportunities to the community and encourage entrepreneurship among the local youth.
