Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 26
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said that the government has constantly pursued its declared policy of promoting music as an industry.
He said the revamped Music Policy of the State will engage the real stakeholders of the industry and undertake new initiatives of promoting all aspects of the music industry including capacity building, mentoring, promotion of bands and musicians, training music teachers and taking music and musicians from Nagaland to national and international platforms.
He said the Hornbill International Rock Contest was a resounding success with record participation from within the state as well as from different parts of the country and abroad.
Last year, musicians from Nagaland performed at several renowned international platforms and in the coming months our musicians, cultural ambassadors and artists have been invited to perform at several major events.
He said a special feature will be Nagaland’s participation at the famous V-Rox International Festival in Vladivostok, Russia, for the second consecutive year.
Along with promotion of contemporary music, we are also undertaking programmes for promotion, preservation and popularisation of traditional music, folk songs and cultural arts, he said adding that promotion of music, conduct of music events, taking our culture and the arts to the national and international platforms has an environment of positivity.
'Tourism sector is a crucial cog in the economic wheel'
He said that tourism sector is a crucial cog in the economic wheel of Nagaland, adding that it has the potential to significantly contribute towards the economy and generate employment across the state. “Our vibrant cultural heritage, legendary traditions, scenic beauty and rich bio-diversity have to be tapped in a responsible and sustainable manner,” he said.
The 2018 edition of the Hornbill Festival was one of the best ever.
He said that Impact Assessment report carried out by an independent agency indicated that the 10 day festival generated revenue of Rs 62.88 crore, created 8715 jobs, with 2,51,701 visitors and international tourists from more than 30 countries.
“It is the understanding of this reality that has encouraged the State Government to widen the scope of the tourism industry by promoting tribal festivals in each district so that the economic benefits from tourism can percolate to every nook and corner of the State,” he said adding that the government is working out a comprehensive tourism plan using modern information technology to further promote tourism by taking along all the stakeholders in a collective and inclusive manner.
Rio said that Nagaland has tremendous potential to become a destination for adventure sports like cycling and trekking.
He said the government is tying up with the Hanifel Centre located in the Himalayas, the subcontinent’s only international certification institution for trekking, for capacity building of our guides.
“We will continue to strengthen the tourism infrastructure and look at new areas of tourism promotion like eco-tourism, adventure tourism and conduct of tourism related events of national and international dimensions in the fields of art, film, literary meets, music events, food and cuisine, etc.,” he said.
Stating that 2019 marks 75th anniversary of Battle of Kohima (1944), Rio said that to commemorate the 75th Anniversary, the government has set up the State Level Committee and Working Committee.
He said a year-long commemorative calendar of activities has been planned and will be holding events, functions, services, seminars and festivals in partnership and collaboration with Governments and NGOs of Great Britain, Japan, Myanmar, the United States, the Defence and Home Ministries, etc.
Stating that the events will also engage war veterans, students, families of those buried at 2nd World War Cemetery Kohima and local communities, Rio said that he have already received positive response from several prominent personalities to come and participate in the programmes.
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