KOHIMA — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio
inaugurated several new facilities at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama on Tuesday,
for the 25th Hornbill Festival.
The new infrastructure includes an ‘international morung’
for country partners, a lodge/dormitory for cultural troupes, a Handloom &
Craft Pavilion (formerly the Bamboo Pavilion), a medical booth with cash
vending facilities, a Tourism Department lounge, and a Toyota Ki display area.
The chief minister also launched a new Hornbill Festival
app, designed to provide a centralised source of information, including Inner
Line Permit details, tourist attractions, and stall information.
“I am confident the new facilities will go a long way in
serving its purpose, bring people and countries together, provide a more
comfortable environment, and make the Festival memorable for all,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of preserving culture and
identity, Rio emphasised that the new facilities are not just for the ten-day
festival but are intended to keep the heritage village active throughout the
year. He encouraged the use of the facilities by tribal communities for their
own festivals.
He also noted that the Hornbill Festival has evolved into a
national and international event, necessitating the upgraded infrastructure to
accommodate visitors and showcase Naga culture. The ‘international morung’,
which is expected to take two-three more days to be fully furnished, is
designed to provide a space for cultural exchange and understanding, he said.
Being an international festival, tourists will come and will
look forward to learn about the Nagas, its culture, food, textiles, and ways of
life. By keeping the Naga culture and tradition alive, it will serve as
evidence and will be known throughout the world, he added.
Rio stated that losing one’s culture is tantamount to losing
everything and expressed hope that the public would support the government’s
actions in preserving Naga culture and traditions to attract global tourism.
Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along
provided details on the new Tourism Department Lounge which was built at a cost
of INR 29 lakh, primarily for VIP guests and officials.
Chief Secretary J Alam informed that the dormitory/lodge for
cultural troupes has the capacity to accommodate 74 people. The ground floor
can be utilised as a changing room and first floor as accommodation for the
troupes, he said, while acknowledging the department of Art and Culture for
completing the project in record time.
The former Bamboo Pavilion has been renamed the Handloom and
Craft Pavilion, supported by the Ministry of Textiles, to showcase Naga crafts.
During the inauguration, attended by legislators, advisors,
and ministers, Rio also commended the local artisans and workers involved in
constructing the new facilities.
USA is fourth partner country
In addition to Wales, Japan, and Peru, the United States of
America will be partnering with Nagaland for the Hornbill Festival this year.
“Happy to announce the @USAndIndia for the collaboration. We
are excited to welcome the US delegation and artistes to the
#FestivalOfFestivals. We now have 4 Partners: Wales, Japan, Peru, and the USA,”
he wrote on X on Tuesday.
Besides these country partners, he said there will be many
industrialists, corporate and others will be participating, Rio said.
