The 17th edition of Hornbill Festival got off to a grand start here at Naga Heritage village, Kisama on Thursday coinciding with the 53rd Statehood Day of Nagaland.
Launched by state government in 2000 to promote tourism and to showcase Nagaland’s traditional and rich cultural heritage, the festival has become an annual event.
Nagaland governor, P.B. Acharya, who graced the inaugural function as chief guest in the presence of Assam chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal as guest of honour, lauded state government for organizing the Hornbill Festival annually, which coincided with the Statehood Day celebration.
He acknowledged the pioneers of the State, who had sacrificed for the people of Nagaland during the early years of Statehood.
According to Acharya, since Nagaland has been tagged as land of festivals, the rich culture and traditional should be promoted through festival to boost tourism activities in the state.
The governor was also of the viewed that festival apart from reviving the rich cultural heritage of Naga people also promotes tourism industry leading to improvement in quality of infrastructure in the state.
Expressing happiness over the presence of the Assam chief minister at the Festival, the governor was optimistic that it would foster inter-state relationship and solve many outstanding issues pertaining to both the states.
On the occasion, the governor also expressed confidence that the agreement signed between Government of India and NSCN (I-M) would end in respectful peace in the state.
He appealed to various Naga political groups to join for permanent peace, saying peace and stability were vital in promoting economic development of individuals and society at large.
While describing the nature of Naga people, he said Nagas treat other people with respect and a sense of forgiveness. He further asked the tourists of both domestic and international to make use of the best facilities and go home with sweet memories.
Nagaland chief minister, TR Zeliang, who was the chief host, greeted the people of Nagaland on the occasion of the 53rd Statehood day. He said since Nagaland became the 16th State in 1963 much has been covered yet much more grounds remained to be covered. He called upon the people of the state to recommit to work unitedly towards the goals and visions of creating a peaceful and progressive state.
Zeliang also announced that the state government’s “Nagaland Vision 2030” outlining state government’s vision and goals for the next 15 Years would be released on the December 10.
Welcoming the guests and invitees, Zeliang said the state government and the people of Nagaland felt upbeat about Sonowal becoming the chief minister of Assam with an expectation that better and more cordial relationship between the two sister states would be maintained. Zeliang thanked his Assam counterpart and his colleagues for being positive in approach and showing friendly gesture within a short stint of his chief ministership.
Zeliang was hopeful that this would be a beginning of a new era of better relationship accompanied by more friendly visits and exchanges between two states at various levels.
The chief minister also expressed hope that Nagaland, which is being considered as geographically isolated from mainland, would soon become a thing of the past, with the coming up of “Act East Policy” and Hornbill Festival recognized internationally.
He described the determination of the Naga people to preserve the rich culture and tradition as “the hallmark of our identity.”
Speaking on the occasion as guest of honour, Assam chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, said the festival was a great opportunity for the people of Northeast in general and the Nagas in particular to showcase the rich culture and tradition of the Northeast.
Sonowal was confident that Hornbill Festival would bring closer understanding within the people of Nagaland, where every tribe could showcase their unique culture and tradition. He was also hopeful that the festival would boost the ties and relationship of Nagaland and Assam, adding that peaceful coexistence would be strengthened.
In his speech, he also touched on the cordial relationship maintained between Assam and Nagaland during the Ahom Kingdom.
“We need to work together in mission mode and give a boost to Saabka Saath, Saabka Vikas,” Sonowal.
On the border issue, Sonowal suggested constituting committees, comprising of MPs and MLAs and local people to undertake visits to the border areas in order to facilitate confidence building measures and strengthen mutual trust and a sense of togetherness.
Recalling his meeting with Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang on October 17 at Kaziranga, he termed it as a fruitful dialogue, wherein they agreed to work for a lasting solution in the areas of illegal migration, life and security to the people of both states and cultural and sporting exchanges between the two states.
Sonowal also sought cooperation from Nagaland to work in areas of mutual interest like Rhino poaching, intelligence sharing on extremist activities and crime control in both states.
Earlier, marking the inauguration of the 10-day long celebration, traditional blessing was offered by Guru Sangyusang Pongener of Ungma village under Mokokchung district while the inaugural celebration of “Unity in Culture” was presented by Sky Entertainment.
Traditional folk dances were presented by various cultural troupes- Chingdang Village (Konyak), Waromong Village (Ao), Phaijol Village (Kuki), Kithagha Village (Rengma), Phoyisha Range (Pochury), Pholami Dzuvekro (Chakesang), Mezoma Village (Angami), Tuensang Village (Chang), Yehemi Village (Sumi), Wokha Village (Lotha), Kachari (Purana Bazar, Dimapur), Sangphur Village (Yimchunger), Nsong Village (Zeliang), Orangkong Village (Longleng, Phom), Ekranipathar Village (Dimapur) Garo, Pathso Nokeng (Khiamniungan) and Angangba Village (Sangtam).
A cultural troupe from Assam enthralled the gathering by presenting their colourful folk dance and songs.
Senior pastor of Baptist Mission Church, Kohima, Rev. Moa Longchari invoked God’s blessing while parliamentary secretary for Tourism and host of the Hornbill Festival, C. Apok Jamir proposed the vote of thanks.
The festival has been coined as “Festival of Festivals”, since it was a collaborative celebration of all Naga Tribes coming under one roof.
The festival is also a tribute to the Hornbill, which is a revered bird for the Nagas, for its qualities of alertness and grandeur. The majestic bird is closely identified with the social and cultural life of the Nagas as reflected in various tribal folklores, dances and songs.