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India President Ram Nath Kovind shakes hand with a Naga tribesman at the opening ceremony of the Hornbill Festival at the Naga heritage village, Kisama, some 15kms away from Kohima, Nagaland on Friday, 01 December 2017. EM Images/ Caisii Mao[/caption]
Kohima Bureau
Kisama, Dec. 1 (EMN): The president of India, Ram Nath Kovind, has on Friday said that Nagaland was on the edge of ‘making history’—solution to the long-running Naga political issue is ‘imminent.’
“The past half-century has been one of both achievements and difficulties for Nagaland. The people of the state have come through many trials, but their essential talent and wisdom, and their essential goodness, has been so apparent.... After years of insurgency, there is hope,” President Kovind said. He inaugurated the Hornbill Festival on Dec. 1.
Acknowledging that there was opportunity for lasting peace, particularly with the support of the people of the state, the civil society institutions and all stakeholders, Kovind lauded the Naga groups for having come this far.
“I am confident that a final agreement – one that is fair to all and meets the expectations and aspirations of all – will be reached soon,” the President stated.
Mentioning the present ‘opposition-less’ government in Nagaland, he observed it to be a unique situation which offers a chance to resolve long-standing political problems, bring lasting peace and accelerate the process of development also; create jobs and opportunities.
“Nagaland deserves this; all of you deserve it – and the young people of the state deserve it,” he asserted.
Kovind remarked also that the state has great potential and that the key to Nagaland’s development was infrastructure and connectivity: they will link the state to new markets both in India and abroad. He said that it was one of the key goals of the government of India’s Act East Policy and its thrust for connectivity in the states of the Northeast including Nagaland.
Pointing out that Nagaland has ‘so much to offer,’ the president said emphasis must be given to organic farm produce, flowers and fruits; rare medicinal plants and herbs etc., which he said can contribute to the state’s economy and the country’s.
“And I cannot forget to mention Naga jolokia, called ‘king chilli’ locally. This is one of the hottest chilli peppers of the world. We need to bottle it into one of the hottest selling sauces of the world,” Kovind added.
The president has acknowledged the feats of young achievers from Nagaland as well and has said that the youth of Nagaland were the ‘pride of the country.’
“I see in them a quest and an aspiration to excel and be the best. They are the true legatees of Dr T. Ao, the doctor-sportsperson who was the first captain of our national football team after Independence, leading the team in the London Olympics of 1948,” Kovind said. He mentioned that Naga girl Chiewelou Thele was adjudged the best trainee commando in her batch of police officers of Delhi Police and became the 'poster girl' for Delhi Police this year.
“As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, I must say I am immensely proud of our Naga soldiers and officers. They are among the best we have. They have done the country great service,” the president said.
“Our country is making great strides in every area - business, trade, education and culture. We are among the world’s fastest growing economies. We are also a diverse nation. Our linguistic, ethnic, religious and geographical variety makes India special – and that is our biggest strength. It is an exciting time to be an Indian. And it is an exciting time to be a Naga. Nagaland and the Northeast are central to the India story. Without the development of Nagaland, the development of India will be incomplete,” Kovind added.
The president has expressed happiness that his first visit to Nagaland after having taken over as the president of India coincided with what has become a flagship tourism event for the state and for the entire country.
“Nagaland is truly enchanting. Anybody who comes here would not want to leave in a hurry. And I would urge tourists coming to this festival to purchase and take back with them some of the beautiful shawls that this state is so famous for,” he said, mentioning that every tribe and community has skilled weavers who specialise in different styles of shawls.
“In a time of machine-made products, Nagaland should justifiably be proud of such traditional, hand-woven shawls. They must reach a much wider market,” he added.
The president has greeted the people of Nagaland on the occasion of Statehood Day and has wished them the best.