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ASEAN leaders wearing Naga shawls during the 69th Republic Day of India.[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Jan. 30: The 69th Republic Day of the country witnessed a remarkable affair particularly for Nagaland as leaders of the ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries — Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos and Brunei who were invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as chief guests were seen adorning Naga shawls sharing the podium with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind during the Republic Day parade on Jan. 26 in New Delhi.
The photos of the ASEAN leaders in Naga shawls took no time to circulate in social media applauding the gesture and initiative of Principal Resident Commissioner (PRC) of Nagaland House, New Delhi in presenting 20 Naga shawls as gift to the ASEAN leaders.
PRC of Nagaland House, New Delhi Jyoti Kalash when contacted by Eastern Mirror, in a telephonic interview recounted that he was contacted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) office prior to the Republic Day and was asked to arrange some Gamosa like stoles to present to the ASEAN leaders.
“Instead of the Gamosa I suggested for Naga shawls taking into consideration the relation ASEAN countries share with northeast especially Nagaland. I also thought the leaders would like the idea of receiving Naga shawls because of the emotional connection they have with Nagas”, communicated the PRC.
The 20 shawls were handed over to the minister for Ministry of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj who was equally pleased with the idea, shared Kalash. The shawls of Zeliang, Ao and Lotha tribes were arranged from Nagaland Emporium Delhi, he said.
The idea of Naga shawl as a gift was appreciated by the Nagaland Governor PB Acharya for promoting Nagaland through this remarkable event and the gift was also happily accepted by the leaders who made sure that they wore it on the Republic Day parade, shared the PRC.
