Patton lauds Kuki community for preserving traditions

[caption id="attachment_228486" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton being carried by Kuki traditional troupe in a bamboo chair during the Mimkut Mini Hornbill festival on Jan. 16.[/caption] Dimapur, Jan. 17 (EMN): The third day of the 8th state-level Mimkut Mini Hornbill festival was graced by Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton on Wednesday at Ahthibung town under Peren district. Patton extended Mimkut greetings to all the Kukis and lauded the community for ‘preserving their age-old cultural traditions which was showcased during the programme through folk songs, dances and use of indigenous musical instruments,’ according to a statement issued by DIPR. He wished that the festival strengthens “love and bond between families, friends and humanity at large.” The deputy CM encouraged the people to take up farming in large scale as the area is blessed with fertile land and acknowledged the immense contribution of the Kuki community to the “progress of modern Nagaland and appealed that they continue rendering their invaluable service to the society to build a vibrant and strong Nagaland.” He added that there was a Kuki signatory in the Naga Club that submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929. Patton also reiterated that the ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government is “intact” and would focus on development activities. Earlier, Patton unveiled a monolith commemorating the 8th state-level Mimkut Mini Hornbill festival. He was accompanied by the minister for Soil, Geology, and Mining Kashiho; advisor of Civil Administrative Works department Kazheto Kinimi; advisor for directorate of Treasury and Border Affairs Dr. Longriniken; advisor for Printing and Stationary H Haiying; and advisor of Water Resources department Namri N Chang.