President Murmu to grace 27th Hornbill Festival

DIMAPUR, OCT 25 (NPN): President of India Droupadi Murmu has consented to attend the inaugural day of the 27th Hornbill Festival 2026 as chief guest on December 1, coinciding with Nagaland Statehood Day.
This was disclosed by Nagaland Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along while interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of a programme in Kohima on Saturday.
The minister also shared updates on the proposed public-private partnership (PPP) model for Kisama Heritage Village and the existing PPP arrangement involving Polo Hotel Kohima.
On Kisama Heritage Village, Along said the proposal was at a preliminary stage, with paperwork underway.
He said consultations with all stakeholders would be held before any decision was finalised.
He added that the state government and Tourism Department were working on the proposal under the leadership of chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio. A high-powered committee headed by the chief minister, along with the concerned line departments, would oversee the process and ensure stakeholders’ views were considered before proceeding.
Regarding Polo Hotel Kohima, Imna Along said the property was being operated under a PPP arrangement between the Tourism Department and the Polo Group, with the hotel leased to the company.
He said the hotel was expected to be placed in the five-star category after obtaining the necessary classification and ratings.
The minister added that the modalities concerning government revenue under the arrangement had already been detailed in the relevant agreements.