Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 1
Coinciding with the 52nd Statehood Day celebrations, the ten-day annual Hornbill Festival began today at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama with a blend of traditional fervour, reflections of the past, modernity and a call to work together for a better future.
Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya who was the chief guest of the occasion, said the Statehood Day, which coincides with the start of Hornbill festival, is a joyous event where the people of Nagaland can recall with pride, enthusiasm and satisfaction the significant achievements made by the Nagas during the past years. With the Hornbill Festival celebrated to commemorate the Statehood and a resolve to preserve the distinct culture and traditions of the state, the Governor said this is the time to review along with festivities, how much Nagas have been able to march in this direction.
He also stated that Nagaland has achieved remarkable progress over the last five decades, particularly in the education and healthcare.
“We have endured many hardships and today the overwhelming majority of the Nagas feel that social cohesion, harmony amongst tribes and communities and economic well-being is more important to us. We are marching towards an era of peace and development,” Acharya said.
Making a mention of the August 3, 2015 “framework agreement” that was signed between the Government of India and NSCN (IM), the Governor maintained that the accord can serve as a new paradigm for security and federalism, reconciling respectfully the aspirations of the Nagas with the larger vision of strong India. Towards this, he appealed to all factions to join the peace process for a graceful and permanent solution of the Naga political issue.
Extending greetings to the people of Nagaland on the occasion of Statehood Day Statehood Day, chief host of the celebrations Chief Minister TR Zeliang reminisced how 52 years ago, Nagaland became the 16th State of India as a consequence of the 16-Point Agreement of 1960 signed between the Government of India and the Naga People’s Convention. He also talked about how, over the years the Nagas continued to maintain and preserve their unique culture and tradition as well as progress in various fields.
However, he pointed out, being dogged by Naga political issue right from the beginning, the potentials of the state remain yet to be fully harnessed.
Zeliang expressed hope that with its cultural and historical links with the ASEAN region and with its educated English speaking youth, Nagaland would play a significant role in the Centre’s “Look East” or “Act East” policy by forming a vital link and bridge between mainland India and the South East Asian Countries.
“Today, we not only celebrate Statehood Day, but also the progress of the state in various fields like infrastructure, better health care and education, high literacy rate, rural development, tourism, etc. We should also remind ourselves that progress and development of our state does not depend only on what the Government does but the collective contribution of all citizens,” the Chief Minister asserted.
On the people’s aspiration for peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue, he maintained that the signing of the August 3 “framework agreement” has given as a renewed hope for an early settlement of the Naga Political issue, in a manner acceptable to the Nagas. He also made an appeal to all Nagas, including the various Naga nationalist groups, to unite and work together for our common goal of permanent peace in Nagaland.
The main highlight of the programme was a three set choreography depicting the Naga way of life performed by Elemenz.
Earlier, Rev. Dr. P Dozo invoked God’s blessing while the Angh of Longchang village, Y Phonlong offered the traditional blessing. Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, C Apok Jamir later proposed vote of thanks at the inaugural function. The chief guest of the occasion, Governor Acharya also unveiled “The Hornbill Tree”, a huge sculpture depicting hornbills roosting on a (leafless) tree.
