Concept of celebrating festivals has changed today: TR Zeliang

December 7, 2023 22 Views No Comment

Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 7

Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang today said that in the past, festival is celebrated only for fun and merry making to mark the completion of harvest and give thanks to the Almighty God for bountiful harvest, for self-purification, strengthen bond of friendship and brotherhood, without much emphasis on other economic activities or innovative ideas.

“However, today, concept of celebrating festivals has changed. It is celebrated not only for funfare anymore, but to promote and showcase our rich culture and traditions and attract tourists, side by side festivals are being celebrated with inclusion of many other economic activities like business and trades, music, arts, sports etc to make it more grand,” he said while inaugurating the Winter Carnival cum Orchid Festival on December 6 at Tepuiki River, Peren.

He said that festivals also should provide avenue for people to come together and exchange ideas, learn each other cultures and traditions, share valuable information, skills and expertise, learn new things and create avenue to link with the other people. In order to bring all the tribes together and showcase our diverse cultures on a common platform, Government have organised a Hornbill Festival, which is popularly known as Festival of Festivals at Kisama, a festival village.

Today, this Hornbill Festival has gain popularity across the world. It not only showcases our rich cultures, but is has contributed tremendously towards the growth of the state.

“It has serves as an eye opener for the younger generation in so many fields. It has also provided platform for the young talents to showcase their skills and expertise. Tourist visits has unprecedentedly increased in the state. But above all the Hornbill Festival has placed Nagaland on the global map,” Zeliang said.

The festival should sustain and improve year by year with new concept and ideas. It should not be one time show only. This festival should be inclusive by involving all sections of people and including new and vibrant activities especially economic activities, biodiversity conservation and preservation activities etc. It should also serve as a platform to encourage our younger generations to embrace our aged old traditions, showcase their talents and attract tourist from outside the state.

Stating that Peren district is rich in wildlife and biodiversity, and other natural resources, he said, “As such, with all these available resources, an event like this Winter Carnival cum Orchid Festival can take our district to the higher level, provided we have proper action plan.”

In Nagaland, we have almost finished the majestic bird Hornbill, however we still celebrate a Hornbill festival every year in honor of this legendary bird.

In my observation Zeliangrong people can still call back Hornbill to our land from South Africa, Australia and from South East Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore etc, provided we preserve Bonsum trees which grow abundantly in our land, he said.

Coming to today’s festival, the Orchid Festival-we have beautiful varieties of orchids in our district.

“We should also learn how to develop traditional orchids nursery in our villages and towns and multiply those exotic species. This novice initiative will make our district a favorite tourist destination if it is carry out in plan manner. We will also have a meaningful festival in future if we can conserve such exotic species of flora and fauna,” he said.