Lt. General Anil Chauhan graces morning session of Day 6 cultural events

Day six of the Hornbill Festival, 2017 witnessed colourful cultural events under the theme “Culturally Yours” graced by Lt General, Anil Chauhan and Vice Chancellor, Guwahati University, Dr. Mridul Hazarika as the chief guest and the guest of honour respectively.

Cultural extravangza on the 6th day of Hornbill Festival at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama on December 6,2017.

The Hornbill Festival was started in the year 2000 by the state government to showcase the ethnicity of naga tribes which coincides with the statehood day, said Lt.General Anil Chauhan while addressing the gathering at the function. He said the festival has brought the state of Nagaland into the tourist map of India. At the same time, he commented that the festival connects the people of the State to their roots, besides promoting tranquility and harmony within the society.

This festival also gives an opportunity for the people of Nagaland to connect with the rest of the country particularly the North- Eastern states. The dances, costumes and tradition exhibiting at the festival are a reflection of simplicity, honesty, open-heartedness and the martial abilities of the Nagas, he said.

The 6^th day of the cultural festival was marked by Khaozaosie (Dance of Merry Making) by Khiamniungan Cultural Troupe, Sho Shinpu (Demonstration) by Phom Cultural Troupe, Topfü Modu, by Rengma Cultural Troupe and Suta lam by Kuki Cultural Troupe. Other performances included the Baijubu (Serpentine Dance), by Kachari Cultural Troupe, Alukumlale (folk song), by Sumi Cultural Troupe, Singing in praises of Hornbill Festival, by Sangtam Cultural Troupe, Mekhruseipie, by Angami Cultural Troupe, Anding O’ka by Garo Cultural Troupe.

AVSM, VM, Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal, Anil Khosla graced the afternoon session of the 6^th day cultural event as the chief guest.

Chang Cultural Troupe performed the Local Grinding Tool Song, Zeliang Cultural Troup presented the Tinggeune Lim (Honey Bee dance), Yimchungru Cultural Troupe, performed the Are Jangachihkhi (settlement of boundary dispute), and the Pochury Cultural Troupe, presented the Shaho Shaho in the afternoon session. The session also witnessed the Yangkhum (Burial Rites) performed by Konyak Cultural Troupe, the Hozhale (folk song) performed by Chakhesang Cultural Troupe, the Alu Meyo presented by the Ao Cultural Troupe, and the Amongi Namvu Hono Chete Merengta (traditional games) performed by the Lotha Cultural Troupe.

Ashish from Delhi wins Pineapple Eating Contest at Kisama

Winner of the Hornbill Pineapple Eating Competition, Ashish receiving certificate of citation from HoD Horticulture, Dr. Elithung Lotha on December 6, 2017.

The first ever pineapple eating competition was held on the 6^th day of Hornbill Festival, at Kisama Heritage Village, Kohima today, the 6^th Dec, 2017. The event was organised by Department of Horticulture in collaboration with XL Management and supported by Department of Tourism.

The pineapple eating competition was held inclusively for the domestic and international tourists with a view to promote the Naga pineapple outside the State. Naga pineapple which is among the juiciest in the world is grown in abundance around two belts of the State, Medziphema and Changtongya. They are very sweet and contain very little or no fiber.

Ashish from Delhi emerged as the winner of the competition and the winner and participants were all presented with a certificate of citation from HoD Horticulture, Dr. R. Elithung Lotha. The participants were- Mayan Yagdar, Yair Katz, Doron Sages, Dror Sages from Israel, Heather Layton from the U.S, Shikha, Abishek, Rayon Bhatt from Bagdogra, Sarath Babu, Rajesh Rajan from Kerala, Ambika Toppu from Jharkhand, Pallavi Solar, Phillomenia from Maharashtra, Julie Quincey from U.K, Manisha Sarkar, Suveena.D from Mumbai, Ciaran Brook from U.K, Yoshi from Japan, Albert, Donna, Van Zyl from South Africa and Ashish from Delhi.

4^th Edition of Kohima Downhill Mountain Bike Race concludes

The Organisers and winners of the 4th edition of Kohima Downhill Mountain Bike Race held on December 4, 2017 at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.

Native Station Nagaland organized the 4th edition of Kohima Downhill Mountain Bike Race on 4^th December, 2017 which was flagged off at Viswema village and culminated at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. It was sponsored by start-up cycle manufacturing company based in Pune – Psynyde Bikes and Nagaland based clothing start-up Winter Made.

Native Station and the Nagaland cycling community envisions to motivate and inspire an environmentally conscious generation who will grow up with a conscience to live in harmony with mother nature, cherish our serene mountains, encourage a sustainable lifestyle and also promote alternative means of eco-friendly means of transport to help reduce levels of traffic congestion and pollution.

The winners of Kohima Downhill Bike Race 2017 are Suman Tamang, Nepal (1st), Apshai Griffith Niangti, Shillong (2nd), Prachit Thapa, Nepal (3rd), Gautam Taode, Pune (4th) and Ollie Hemstock, United Kingdom (5th). The Best Local Rider was awarded to Seyieo Sekhose (Kohima). Firestone medals made in Nagaland by Naga craftsman and entrepreneur Veta Huphrem were handed over to the winners by the young patrons. The race also paid tribute to popular Indian mountain biker, Ajay Padval (4th position in last year’s race) who died in a mountain bike accident earlier this year (2017) in Leh, Ladakh.

The race is supported only by young entrepreneurs and professionals who stepped in to support the race including young patrons, Lhouvi Mezhur Sekhose, Manager, Africa and Asia Pacific Area, Commonwealth War Graves Commission & Kley Enterprise, Chan Kikon, Senior Integration Engineer, Jitterbit Inc, Dr. Ruovinuo Theunuo, Junior Resident, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, Kekhrie Mezhur, Assistant Planning Officer, Department of Planning & Coordination and Seyie Auto.

The race track was designed by Ollie Hemstock of Hemstock Designs from United Kingdom along with the track design team from Nagaland comprising of Seyieo Sekhose, Kaolim Hanso, Kevilebo Zhotso and Kezevituo Seyie. Kohima Downhill was organized by Mhonjan Lotha, Avitso Lcho, Bolto Pusa, Neikesa Yalie, Kele Yhoshu and Yanpvuo Kikon. With Rs.75,000 as the Kohima Downhill budget, the organizers sought funds from young Nagas and many youth sacrificed their savings and salaries to make this race happen. All the volunteers willingly came and helped because they believed in investing in something big for the future.

All reports and pictures courtesy DIPR, Kohima