Chief Minister TR Zeliang expresses desire to stick to 10-day extravaganza-stretch
Kohima Bureau
Kisama, Dec. 10 (EMN): Despite continuous downpour in the state capital on Sunday, thousands of visitors thronged the Naga heritage village at Kisama on the final day of the 18th edition of Hornbill Festival.
For a while there was a distinct possibility of the rain playing spoilsport and deter people from attending the culmination programme of the festival, but was proved otherwise at the picturesque Naga heritage village, Kisama. The final day attracted more visitors compared to the past nine days.
The culmination programme had Governor PB Acharya as the chief guest, while Chief Minister TR Zeliang, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism C Apok Jamir and Parliamentary Secretary for Art and Culture Eshak Konyak were in attendance.
Governor Acharya lauded all everyone for the successful conduct of Hornbill festival. “People from different walks of life from across the world participated in this year’s Hornbill festival which is a remarkable achievement for the Tourism department,” Acharya said while expressing his delight that this year’s Hornbill festival was attended by a galaxy of high dignitaries including the first citizen of the country, President of India Ram Nath Kovind as the chief guest on the inaugural day.
Stating that the number of tourists has increased manifold from previous years, the governor said it was a positive sign. “Nagaland has the potential to become the most populous eco-tourism spot in the Northeast. We must take this advantageous position to address our unemployment problem. Tourism can be one of the biggest revenue earning departments,” Acharya remarked adding “we have to turn this festival into an international market of handloom and handicrafts so that our products can go all over the world.”
He was also of the opinion of extending at least one day of the programme of the festival to all the districts on different days, so that all citizens have greater participation.
Apok Jamir, in his address expressed hope that the ten-day celebration of the Hornbill festival has given the opportunity for tourists to peep into the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the sixteen tribes of Nagaland.
Jamir also appreciated the younger generation for taking the responsibilities in the celebration.
“This shows that the youths are prepared to take up the mantle of preserving our rich cultural heritage” Jamir said while he urged the tourists and Nagas to spread the message of peace and unity and further to make efforts to protect and preserve the fragile eco-system.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the chief host TR Zeliang said the festival has gained popularity despite of the remote location of the state and lack of proper infrastructure.
“This has been possible due to our collective effort,” Zeliang said and thanked everyone for making the festival a ‘grand success’.
With regard to the much debated issue of reducing the hornbill festival to seven days, the CM said he was pleased to see the positive response of the people.
“The state government shall take a call on the issue in due course of time. However, I have the preference of celebrating the festival up to the tenth day,” Zeliang added.
As part of the culmination programme, the bonfire was lit by the Governor Acharya, CM Zeliang, Parliamentary secretary Apok Jamir, newly crowned Miss Nagaland Marina Kiho and 1st and 2nd runners-up Ruopfüzhanuo Whiso and Pewe-ü Tunyi, followed by the ‘unity dance’.
