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Khiamniungan Naga tribes perform on the first day of the Hornbill Festival at the Naga heritage village, Kisama, Nagaland on Friday, December 1, 2017. EM Images/ Caisii Mao[/caption]
Kohima Bureau
Kisama, Dec. 1 (EMN): The eighteenth edition of the Hornbill Festival began on Friday with the customary Naga war cry and yodelling echoing over the small hillock that hosts the annual 10-day cultural extravaganza, the Naga heritage village Kisama.
Governor PB Acharya, who was the chief host of the inaugural event on Dec. 1, soberly stated that the celebratory time also calls for a moment to introspect achievements. Acknowledging that the day also marks the anniversary of Nagaland’s statehood, Acharya paid tributes to the founding fathers of the state. He recalled the efforts that went into the creation of Nagaland and to give its valiant people an own identity.
Acharya expressed hope for an early settlement of the Naga political issue. He iterated his appeal to the NSCN (K) to join the peace process to pave way to a final settlement of the protracted Naga political issue.
“Permanent solution should boost progress and development in the state. With our strong community institutions and the spirit of working together, I see hope for the future. I am sure, with the dedication and good wishes of everyone, we will be able to overcome all obstacles and create a vibrant, developed and a beautiful Nagaland in every way that the founding fathers of the state had dreamt of,” he said.
Also, pointing to corruption as an obstruction for development in any society, Governor Acharya emphasized on making Nagaland a corruption-free state in the line of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an India with ‘progress for all.’ Acharya has stressed on the need to empower youth and women with education and employment to pave way for a better society.
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Naga tribesman from Yimchunger looks on as they wait for their turn to perform at the opening ceremony of the Hornbill Festival at the Naga heritage village, Kisama, Nagaland on Friday, December 1, 2017. EM Images/ Caisü Mao[/caption]
“We must remind ourselves that empowerment of women and equality, liberty and dignity are the sacred rights of women. It is not a privilege that they should seek,” he added.
The governor also appealed to the citizens of the state to exercise their democratic franchise judiciously in the forthcoming assembly elections in 2018.
Also addressing the event was Chief Minister TR Zeliang. In his address as the host of the event, Zeliang greeted the people as a commemoration of statehood day. He expressed appreciation to the president of India for coming to attending the inaugural programme of the festival.
Zeliang mentioned that the ‘sad reality’ amid festivities was that the vexed Naga political issue remains unresolved. He said: “For far too long, the full potential and growth of the state has been impeded by the unresolved issue of the Naga political struggle. We all feel this state of affairs should not be allowed to continue as it not only hampers the normal avocations of peaceful citizens, but also stands in the way of every aspect of progressive growth. As a multi-tribal society, it is a fact that we face many challenges but when it comes to the resolution of the seven decades old Naga political issue, the people’s voice is for an inclusive, honourable and acceptable solution.”
Zeliang has reminded that the people of the state have already witnessed 20 long years of the peace process and two years more after the signing of the ‘framework agreement.’ Acknowledging the dialogue between the government of India and NSCN (IM) as well as the recent one with six Naga ‘political groups,’ Zeliang said it was only due to the proactive role played by tribal ‘hohos’ and the Civil Society in their efforts to bring the different political groups together.
“The fact that different factions and armed groups have now come together seeking a solution is truly very encouraging. We therefore, consider this to be the most opportune time for the Nagas and the government of India to resolve the seven decades old Naga political issue once and for all,” he said. He has appealed to President Kovind to carry forward the message to the centre the need to resolve the Naga issue before the ensuing state assembly elections.
Also, Zeliang highlighted that Nagaland being a landlocked state, road and air connectivity have to be strengthened to achieve physical integration with the mainland. For that, he urged the government of India to be “sympathetic and understanding” in regard to providing the required road and air connectivity. This is an area where the state when left on its own ‘cannot achieve much,’ he said. While admitting that several road projects have been approved and corresponding work underway, he lamented that requests made to different airlines to have a flight to Delhi from Dimapur via Guwahati have failed to materialise.
The chief minister has welcomed visitors to the festival and hoped that they would take fond memories of the rich and vibrant culture of the Nagas to the world.
Earlier, a village chief from Tuensang village, L Sangkumwongto Chang Naga, pronounced the traditional blessing for the festival.
Besides local, domestic and international tourists, the inaugural function saw in attendance a host of politicians including MP Lok Sabha Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier, and legislators and bureaucrats.