Union Culture and Tourism Minister Shekhawat greets Nagaland, praising Hornbill Festival’s cultural vibrancy, tourism growth and global appeal.
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DIMAPUR — Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, has extended greetings to the people of Nagaland and the state leadership as the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival continues at Kisama and other districts.
In a message issued on December 7, Shekhawat conveyed his wishes to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along, and the people of Nagaland, recalling his visit to the festival in 2024 as “one of the most cherished and heart-warming experiences” of his public life.
He said the warmth of the Naga people, the vibrancy of the tribes, and the cultural richness of Kisama left a lasting impression on him and his family.
Calling the Hornbill Festival a “magnificent celebration” of the identity and unity of Nagaland’s 17 major tribes, he said the event brings together the state’s heritage, traditions, crafts, textiles, music, cuisine and agricultural wisdom, along with the “warrior spirit that defines the Naga way of life.”
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He credited the state leadership for expanding the festival’s scope, saying the efforts under Chief Minister Rio and Tourism Minister Along had helped transform Hornbill into a major cultural and tourism platform. The extension of festival activities to multiple districts, he said, reflected a commitment to inclusive growth and community-driven tourism.
Shekhawat noted that the festival acts not only as a cultural showcase but also as a catalyst for economic opportunity and global cultural exchange, adding that its rising popularity among domestic and international visitors highlights the appeal of Naga heritage.
Congratulating the state government, the Tourism department and all participating tribes, he said the festival strengthens India’s cultural identity while placing Nagaland “proudly on the world map.” He extended best wishes for a grand and successful celebration.