Morung Express News Kohima | December 10 The 19th Hornbill Festival came to an end on December 10 with the ceremonial lighting of the bonfire and unity dance at Kisama, the Heritage village.
Tourists, visitors and locals together partook in the unity dance, along with special guests of the closing ceremony. The closing ceremony was hosted by Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton and Honored Guest Damiano Francovigh, Italian Consulate General, Kolkata.
In a brief speech, Francovigh acknowleged the rich cultural heritage of the Nagas, which he witnessed at the Festival. Coming from Italy, where tourism industry plays a major role, Francovigh concluded with the wish that the Hornbill Festival gets increasingly successful every year and attracts tourists from across the globe, to enable the Festival to become the master driver of the Naga economy.
Stating that the primary aim of the Hornbill Festival is to revive, preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Nagas, Nagaland State Deputy Chief Minister, Y. Patton, mentioned that the Festival is an “opportune time for visitors to get a closer understanding of the Nagas and its diverse cultural heritage and also to experience Naga food, songs, dances and customs.”
“The rich cultural heritage of Nagaland, the land of festivals, has been hidden for centuries to the outside world. However, Hornbill Festival has served as a window to the people from outside so they come to know more about us," said Patton. Tourism being one of the fastest growing segments of India's economy, Patton viewed that the tourist inflows have been increasing consistently.
A growing tourism industry also requires a safe and conducive environment. "The safety, security and prevention of crime against tourist needs serious attention," said Patton.
He noted that the Nagaland government introduced the Tourist Police this year to ensure tourists’ safety and security as well as to assist the visitors.
"I am glad to learn that there is no report of any significant crime committed against the tourists during these ten days. I am sure this will go a long way in reassuring the travelers visiting our State even in the years to come," said Y. Patton, thanking the organizers and participants for making the 19th Hornbill Festival a success.
