Naga men and women, in ceremonial dress, look on as they wait to perform during the first day of the annual celebration of Hornbill Festival at Kisama on Monday, December 1. (Caisii Mao)
Chizokho Vero
Kisama | December 1
The much-anticipated week-long annual Hornbill Festival of Nagaland 2008 got off to a colorful start here this morning at the Naga Heritage village—showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Nagas in presence of dignitaries and tourists from different parts of the world. “As Nagaland marches towards an era of peace and development, Hornbill festival symbolizes the emerging Nagaland,” said Governor K. Sankararanarayanan, inaugurating the festival.
“Visitors and tourists visiting Nagaland will realize that Nagaland is peaceful and it is vibrant. The colours of Nagaland, its youthfulness and hospitality will touch one and all. Nagaland is modern but our traditions and cultural heritage is intact,” Governor said adding that the Hornbill Festival is an opportunity where the Naga people showcase the best of its culture.
Saying that peace has been the most cherished goal for the state for all these years, he said “Today it is more than a goal. It is a right. A basic fundamental right for all the citizens of the state we have to stop killing of brothers by brothers.” He said peace is a must in order to have growth and development. “Our youth have got dreams; they need to get a chance to realize them. We have to ensure that we live in harmony with one another, have unity cutting across tribes and communities and rise above narrow sectarian interests to take a view that is beneficial for the society. The cause for a better future for our youth is reason enough for all leaders to come together and join hands to foster the spirit of unity and brotherhood. It will lead to better cohesion and harmony in society leading to peace, thereby creating an environment for rapid growth and economic development”.
“Nagaland is truly the land of festivals. Almost every month, we have a distinct colourful festival in some part of our beautiful state,’ the Governor said while adding that the Hornbill festival truly represented the fusion of tradition and modernity, bringing together all tribes and communities together in the celebration of Nagaland. “The hornbill is a distinct part of our traditional folklores, customs and dresses, specially the headgear. It also represents the inherent unity and oneness of all Naga tribes,” he said.
The governor also said the state has a great potential in agriculture, horticulture, tourism and IT sector, and the youth are amongst the best in the hospitality and service sectors. Stressing on the need to take the plans of infrastructure development and that roads, water, electricity and connectivity formed as vital for economic growth, the Governor urged the people to strengthen the hands of the state government and march the path of growth. “I am confident that together we will overcome all obstacles and realize the vision of a vibrant and economically developed Nagaland that the founding fathers of the state had dreamed of.”
The festival has been organized with a view to showcasing all tribal festival of the state in one place, for the convenience of tourists, guests and everyone else, said Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. He said, in order to let sustainable tourism to take place, “we need continuing peace and tranquility.” In the atmosphere of fear and violence, no worthwhile development or progress can take place anywhere, Rio reminded and challenged the people to make concerted efforts to maintain and promote peaceful atmosphere, which “we have cultivated and nurtured over the years.”
“It also goes to the credit of different Naga nationalistic groups that they have never engaged in senseless destruction of life and properties. They have never harmed tourists and any of our guests, or individual in any activity, that may have detrimental effect of the image of the state,” Rio said. While celebrating Hornbill Festival this year, he said, ‘our hearts go out to the people of Maharashtra, whose capital, Mumbai has just faced the most senseless and barbaric attack from terrorists’. He challenged the people to unite and strengthen “our resolve to collectively and individually fight this menace of terrorism.”
Rio said the Government of India has now recognized the Hornbill Festival as a national event. He maintained that the reputation of the festival has also spread far and wide. The festival is a joint venture of the state government and all the Naga tribes, he said.
Rio also stated that the government was also exploring the possibility of forming a consortium for organizing the Hornbill Festival, that will comprise corporate bodies, event managers, cultural experts etc, who would be able to professionally manage the whole show. “This will be in total consonance with the present government’s policy of privatization and communitisation.”
The Chief Minister also stressed on the need to make the venue operational throughout the year and later suggested that various tribal festivals and other events be organized in the venue so that there is always some activity or other going on at the site. Stating that the state government has been trying to enlist people’s participation and initiative in the tourism sector, Rio said the government has taken up communitisation and privatization of tourism as a policy in a big way.
“People should come forward as stakeholders and managers for maintaining and running of the government’s properties in tourism and other sectors,” said Rio. Chairing the inaugural function, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Art & Culture and Law & Justice Yitachu said that an occasion like Hornbill Festival provides a time to make peace, maintaining that peace is pre-requisite for advancement of mankind. Traditional blessing was led by Chato Paphino, President, Southern Angami GB Association. This year’s edition of the Hornbill festival registered the highest number of international tourist. The festival will go on till December 7.
.JPG)
