US Consul General Melinda Pavek reflects on Nagaland’s cultural riches, future collaborations

KOHIMA — United States Consul General Melinda Pavek departs her post at the US Consulate in Kolkata with a deep appreciation for the ‘incredible’ art and culture of Nagaland.

During her three-year tenure, which began in August 2021 and concludes on August 15, 2024, she made two visits to the state.

Recalling her initial trip to the state during the 2021 Hornbill festival, Pavek said she was struck by the cultural parallels between the region’s indigenous communities and the Native American tribes she grew up with in her home state of Minnesota.

During her second Hornbill Festival visit, she invited the Native Pride Dancers, an indigenous group from the US, to perform. This exchange, Pavek said, sparked meaningful conversations about “honouring heritage and culture while also living within broader society”, and finding common ground despite differing values.

The visit also helped recognise the crucial link between culture and economic empowerment and furthered the discourse on how entrepreneurship, rooted in traditional practices, could drive a thriving tourism industry, promote environmental sustainability, and uphold human rights.

In an exclusive interview with Eastern Mirror, she shared her experiences and outlined potential cultural exchange and collaborative opportunities between Nagaland and the US.

“I’ve fallen in love with the incredible art and culture of Nagaland”, she said.

She found particular inspiration in the popular trend of wearing ‘Mekhela’ every Wednesday, and also took part in the trend during one of her visits. She commended the Naga entrepreneurs for leveraging social media to showcase the traditional designs with modern appeal.

Pavek was also impressed by the Naga entrepreneurs who participated in the Consulate’s 2022 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme. Many of these women were building businesses and brands rooted in sustainable, traditional patterns and products, and all 20 participants utilised US business education materials to enhance their skills.

Looking ahead, she outlined plans to further strengthen cultural ties, and said that the Consulate is planning to bring more American artists and performers to the Hornbill Festival and showcase the rich cultural diversity. 

“We also have various professional exchange programmes. We look forward to recruiting suitable people from Nagaland to travel to the United States and share their cultures and insights with US communities,” she said.

Pavek noted that four individuals from Nagaland participated in such exchanges in 2023, with one engaging in dialogue with Native American tribes on advancing indigenous rights globally.

“The future for our exchanges is brighter, especially now that the Travel Advisory Level has changed for the better”, the Consul General said, expressing commitment to continue connecting indigenous communities of the US and Northeast India.

She further explained that during her tenure, several leaders from Northeastern states emphasised that the existing Level 4 travel advisory no longer accurately reflected the improved security situation in the region.

Taking this feedback, the Consulate actively worked towards a change in the travel advisory to a Level 3 advisory, and this adjustment has made the region a more accessible and attractive destination for US travellers.

The US government, through various agencies, has undertaken several initiatives in Northeast India, including Nagaland.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working in close partnership with the Nagaland government and other Northeastern states to advance inclusive development, promote innovation, and empower locally-driven solutions for sustainable and impactful outcomes.

Furthermore, the first American Shelf in Northeast India was inaugurated last year at St. Xavier College in Jalukie. These shelves serve as hubs of knowledge and cultural exchange, offering a curated collection of books and educational materials from the US. Additionally, they provide a platform for virtual programmes connecting local communities with the Consulate team.

 “We want to connect with the people of this region, and the Shelf is one way we can do that”, Pavek said.

Reflecting on her time as Consul General, Pavek described it as a career highlight, marked by the opportunity to connect with the people and cultures of east and Northeast India.

On her takeaways of being a Consul General of US Consulate Kolkata, she said that has been a highlight of her career. 

“I think this role is one of the best in the US Foreign Service.  Even after three years, I pinch myself sometimes to see if this amazing opportunity has only been a dream,” she remarked. 

The greatest challenge, she said, has been in reaching as many people as possible within a limited timeframe of three years, particularly with the limitations imposed by the pandemic.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Pavek and her team prioritised extensive travel throughout her tenure, re-establishing connections, finalising pre-pandemic programmes, and collaborating with local partners on innovative initiatives to further strengthen ties between the US and India.

Pavek concluded by highlighting the immense potential of East and Northeast India.

“Investing at this critical time — in the people, the communities, the infrastructure, the educational institutions, the businesses, and the ecosystems which will drive East and Northeast India forward into the future — is a smart move for the region, the nation, and the world,” she said.