The Kohima Raj Bhavan edition of the ‘Handshake Concert’ was held at Raj Bhavan, Kohima on November 19 night. The ‘Handshake Concert’ held under the motto ‘Bringing the World Closer’…. (one handshake at a time) is a platform of musicians and singers. It was formed during the ‘North East India Music Festival’ in Guwahati on June 21, 2008 when World Music Day was organized by Rattle and Hum Music Society, under the NEZCC, Dimapur. 
The concert was officially launched at St. Andrew’s Auditorium, Mumbai in 2009. The concerts were held at Habitat Centre, New Delhi in 2010, Chowdiah Memorial Hall Bangalore in 2011, Bangkok, Thailand in 2012 and at Jakarta, Indonesia in 2013.
The Handshake Concert has started a special edition called the ‘Kohima Raj Bhavan Edition’, under the initiative of Governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
The new edition aims at bringing together artistes of the country and the world, to reach out to an audience of Policy Makers and Policy implementers with the message of the youth for unity and progress. The first Raj Bhavan edition programme was performed by world class artistes which included Grammy Award winner Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, accompanied by famous tablaist Pradyut Mukherjee, guitarist Jubing Kristianto, violinist Sigit Ardityo Didiet Kurniawon from Indonesia,
singer Mami Varte of Mizoram, Shillong Chamber Choir from Shillong, singer Renbeni Odyuo, the Naga Idol from Nagaland, singer Kokliba Jings of Nagaland and singer Kimneihoi Vaiphei of Mizoram.
The persons propelling the events are Khriehu Liezietsu, MLA & Advisor NRE, MTF and Chairman Kohima DPDB as chief patron; Shyamal Datta, former Governor of Nagaland as patron, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Grammy Award winner as patron and Temsuwati, Vitsutho Nyuthe, Prof. K. Kannan and Vilelie Khamo as patrons. The event organizers are Abu Metha, Advisor to Chief Minister Nagaland, Theja Meru, NEZCC member, Government of India, Wenitso Kapfo, lecturer in Kohima Science College, Dr. Tolto Metha, member, NBDA and M Ababe Ezung, Theyiesino Keditsu, Neingulie Nakhro, Ruguokhrietuo Kesiezie, Vishu Rita Krocha.
