Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday commended Nagaland for its focus on waste management and sustainability, highlighted during the ongoing 25th Hornbill Festival at Kisama Heritage Village.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister extended his best wishes to the people of Nagaland as they celebrate the vibrant silver jubilee of the festival. Recalling his visit to the Hornbill Festival a few years ago, PM Modi described it as a remarkable showcase of Naga culture and traditions, encouraging others to experience its vibrancy.
“My best wishes for the ongoing Hornbill Festival and congratulations to the people of Nagaland on this lively festival completing 25 years. I am also glad to see the focus on waste management and sustainability during this year’s festival. I have fond memories from my visit to this festival a few years ago and urge others to visit it and experience the vibrancy of Naga culture,” PM Modi wrote.
Meanwhile, the much-anticipated Hornbill Bamboo Carnival-2024, organized by the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA), began at the Bamboo Amphitheater, Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre, Sovima, Chümoukedima, on Thursday. Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), inaugurated the event.
Addressing the gathering, Metha commended the NBDA for promoting bamboo as a sustainable resource for innovation and development. He emphasized its role in fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for the people of Nagaland, further noting Chumukedima’s potential as a rapidly growing economic hub.
Metha also highlighted the evolution of the Hornbill Festival from a three-day event at Kohima to a 10-day celebration spanning six districts, with this year’s edition featuring participation from four partner countries—United States, Peru, Japan, and the United Kingdom—along with partner states Telangana and Sikkim. These collaborations, he remarked, underscore the festival’s global significance in fostering cultural unity and promoting development.
Discussing the festival’s economic impact, Metha shared insights from an independent study, revealing that the 2022 edition of the Hornbill Festival generated ₹108 crore in revenue and created over 8,500 jobs. He stressed that the festival has grown beyond cultural celebration to become a platform for entrepreneurship and supporting the aspirations of Naga youth.
Expressing pride in the achievements of Naga youth, Metha highlighted the success of the Naga Madrigal Singers, who recently won two gold medals at the World Choir Games in New Zealand, as a prime example of their global excellence. He added that the festival not only showcases Naga culture but also provides opportunities for young entrepreneurs to realize their dreams and contribute to the state’s development.
Showcasing the traditional and diverse culture, customs, and vibrant life of Nagaland, the 10-day-long silver jubilee edition of the Hornbill Festival began on December 1 at Kisama, 12 km from Kohima.
(Inputs from IANS)