Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board Chairman Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu inaugurated Traditional Evening Park, an extension of the Hornbill Festival at Kholera Ground, Kigwema village on Wednesday evening. The evening park is an initiative of Kigwema Youth Organization (KYO).
Keditsu lauded KYO for collaborating with the department of tourism in organizing the 10-day extension of the main Hornbill Festival to create an avenue for self-help groups of the village to generate income by showcasing handicrafts, vegetables and food products from the village.
Keditsu said tourism sector in the state had come a long way and that, Hornbill Festival has now become a tourist destination for people across the world.
Stating that Nagaland had much potential in tourism sector, he emphasised the need for people in the state to focus more on tourist outlook in line with that of neighbouring South East Asian countries to boost the economy of the local communities. Keditsu encouraged Kigwema villagers to focus not only on products of the village but also source various products from neighbouring villages.
He encouraged the youth and expressed hope that a feel of a mini-Hornbill festival would take off at Kigwema through the Park.
KYO president Zakievile Yhoshü said the event was conceptualised by KYO to provide income generating opportunities to the community and encourage entrepreneurship.
KYO finance secretary Teisovi Thorie shared the concept note of the Park.
Advisor for technical education & election, Medo Yhokha along with the leaders of Kigwema village council, Kigwema Women Organization, Kigwema Students’ Union and Kigwema Gazetted Officers Krotho were also present.
KYO has also taken the responsibility of hosting 10 out of the total 17 cultural troupes that are participating in the 22nd edition of the Hornbill Festival at Kisama.