Nagaland Hornbill Festival gets off to a colourful start

Home Minister of India Rajnath Singh formally inaugurating the 19th Hornbill Festival at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama on December 1. (DIPR Photo)

 

Our Correspondent
Kisama | December 1

 

The much hyped 10-day long Hornbill Festival made a colourful start today at the picturesque Naga Heritage Village Kisama, about 10 kms from Nagaland state’s Kohima.

 

Gracing the opening ceremony at Kisama, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said “This spectacular event showcases the rich ancient culture and civilization of the people of Nagaland. It powerfully demonstrates the cultural diversity and civilizational unity of the people. How each tribe is proudly unique in their cultural richness and yet there is an overwhelming sense of unity among all.”

 

He said this spectacular demonstration of unity in diversity in what India is all about. At the Hornbill festival I get a glimpse of the Indian spirit of happy peaceful co-existence of the multiplicities, he said.

 

“I attended the Hornbill Festival last year and was so overwhelmed with the celebration that I could not stop myself from coming to attend this festival again this year,” he said.

 

He also expressed happiness that the Government of Nagaland has expanded similar festivals to other parts of the state where Mini Hornbill festivals are celebrated from time to time.

 

“It will vastly enhance the popular participation in it and enlarge the arc of happiness,” he said.

 

Singh also wanted to see that such events also take place in other parts of India including the national capital, adding that it will help the countrymen to understand the cultural richness of the Nagas.

 

It is a festival that offers unique opportunity not only to the different tribes of the state to interact with each other and exhibit their cultural heritage but also with those from the neighbouring and other States in the true spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat”.

 

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in his address said that over the last 19 years, the Hornbill Festival has become one of the most important tourism events, not only in India but also worldwide

 

Nagaland’s governor PB Acharya said “We Nagas deserve gratitude and appreciation for making the Hornbill as one of the most talked about cultural festivals in the country.

 

US Ambassador to India Kenneth I Juster also graced the inaugural function guest of honour while Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde was the special guest.

 

Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, general secretary Nagaland Baptist Church Council invoked God’s blessings while Shikuto Zalipu, village chief pronounced traditional blessings.

 

Among others, day one activities featured inauguration of bamboo pavilion, handloom & handicraft, craftscape, hortiscape, horse ridings & pony cart ride, NAAME adventure activities, Kids Carnival, Artists Corner/ competition/ exhibition, Hornbill night carnival at Kohima main town and BOC Kohima, Hornbill international photo fest, launching of Hornbill Music fest at Agri Expo, Dimapur, inauguration of traditional evening park at Kigwema, People’s festival Khezhakeno and launch of trekking & hiking to Mount Teyozwu.

The post Nagaland Hornbill Festival gets off to a colourful start appeared first on The Morung Express.

from The Morung Express
via The Morung Express