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By James Khangenbam 17 April 2023 Imphal:

A banner like Windows to Nagaland. Paintings that depicts the lifestyle of the ancestors. It is just like browsing the pictures of a newly brought book ahead of the school session for the next grade.

The Hornbill Festival

The hornbill festival was an easy browse that enhances knowledge about Nagaland especially about the people living in the State culturally, ethnically, fabric wise to the tourists and the citizens of Nagaland. There was this artisan who sat in a row of artistic display carving the wood with his skillful hand. Visitors are amazed at his work live on stage.

The artistic work really thrilled one’s mind and heart. People at least were exposed to the making of their
commodity. It makes it more aesthetic when another stone carving and slab artists were sighted engaging in their own majestic work. It was like one of those amazing program in the discovery channel. Inclusion of the artisan work site was the tapping of craft tourism.

Yet there was another guy who just sat and sketches the portrait of a visitor in front of his canvas. Things look so moving and happening much to the delight of the tourists. The bamboo pavilion with merchandise products selling T shirt printed Nagaland on it.

The colorful bracelets, necklace, bangles belonging to different tribes filled some stalls and a walk through the pavilions seems to be a trance. There are garment stalls, and many other craft stalls in the pavilion.

An outsider gets to know of Nagaland during this festival which would take them several months to know about Nagaland touring and visiting several places of the State. When you are given a compact knowledge to tourists it passed on to other tourists back home. And I guess there are more foreign tourists during the festival every turning year.

On costume and traditional show piece, every Morung (typical house of a tribe) depicting lifestyle, custom, work of a particular tribe at the heritage site were seen with a pair of man and woman in their traditional wear till the end of the festival. Tourists mingle around with the cultural troupes dancing and singing the folk songs at the Morung.

There was this snap session with the tribes attired in traditional dresses.  The memory a tourists take away home was of utmost value. The people living in the state are well defined in these small but meaningful steps. The branding was excellent.

The fabrics were exposed at the maxim and there was more thrill to the visitors. A compact band from different countries sung one song at the hornbill rock fest at a separate venue. The rock fest on the other hand was shaping music talents in an overall view. In fact the hornbill rock fest makes it possible for many music lovers to come at one place and feel the fusion of notes in an ambience set up.

Adventure wise the hornbill riders meet also draw many bullet riders to join the festival this year. Horse power ride contest in the four wheeler category adds to fun. Motorcade was another addition. There was this chef contest going on for delicacy cooking and much other stuff at the three open air amphitheater at Kisama the festival site also the Nagaland Heritage site. The hornbill festival was a complete platform. A space sufficient venue to have good time and a trek up the hill for trekking lovers where “Nagaland Heritage Site” was imprinted.

The thatched hut fancy food outlets with bamboo bench and desk occupied by visitors was a unique site as one did not get to see such a fast food center built by bamboo around the city or town most often. It adds to aroma of the exotic cook served hot and fresh at the festival venue. War memorial complex that depict the Second World War where Japanese army fought with British army picks up attention from several visitors. The ruins of the war in a dummy set up, the details and significant events on a daily basis written in words were salient feature of the complex. The tapping of the war memorial tourists seems to add value, the combination was made strong.

The night bazaar at a street where you buy toys and other stuffs with Street foods serving momo and other quick bites attracts everyone who came attired in good dresses. The street was crowded. It was the time when you meet friends with festive mood. There was this music playing in the street. The young ladies were seen with high boots.

There was this family walk, some youth make laughter yet their foot make way, some were busy munching the street food and they seem to be in fun having eatable in the middle of a huge crowd. Yet there are few people who were staring at the passerby from the side of the road.

It seems everyone in town came out with their festive mood and they seem so happy in their outlook.

The hornbill festival at this evening hour of a walk at a street was warm it signifies the public participation and their appearance at the occasion.

The first anniversary of N Biren Singh led BJP 2.0 Government was celebrated at Senapati Public Ground with Chief Minister N Biren Singh as the chief guest of the celebration on 13^th April.

By James Khangenbam 17 April 2023 Imphal:

‘One family, one livelihood’ scheme

N Biren was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur for the second term on March 21, 2022. The Chief Minister and other dignitaries were accorded a rousing welcome by the leaders of civil society organisations, students organisations, Church leaders and the public on their arrival at the ground.

Inauguration of 95 projects worth Rs 22,450 lakh and laying of foundation stones of 17 projects worth Rs 7605 lakh marked the celebration.Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assembly, Chief Secretary, DGP, senior civil and police officers, CSOs, Church leaders and the general public of Senapati district also attended the function, among others.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister N Biren said that he was overwhelmed by the warm welcome accorded to him and his Cabinet colleagues by the people of Senapati. Biren informed that a Critical Care Block with 10 ICU beds will be constructed at Senapati district hospital at an estimated cost of Rs 28 crore. 

He also spoke on various development works taken up during the last one year by his government. Speaking on a decision taken at a Cabinet meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office prior to the first anniversary celebration, he informed that the Cabinet had approved to implement the “One family, one livelihood” initiative. 

The Government had earlier announced to give livelihood to each and every household. He further informed that anyone from a family with no source of livelihood can apply for a loan of Rs 10 lakh with 30 per cent grant.

An amount of Rs.100 crore has been allocated in the budget for the same. Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Th Biswajit Singh, while delivering his speech, stated that everyone’s efforts and support are needed for successful implementation of Government programmes and development of the State. 

Speaking on climate change, he maintained that the State Government has been taking up various initiatives as per law, to conserve the forest land of the State, adding that the Government is not against anyone. He further appealed to the public to take their part in conserving forest areas to mitigate climate change.

Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam

Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that Manipur has witnessed lots of changes and development in the last one year, adding that projects inaugurated today was the proof. 

Every programme of the Government is focused on development, he said. Govindas claimed that the State Government aims to bring balanced development across the State, informing that the percentage of budget allocation for development of hill areas has increased a lot in the recent years.

A booklet and a short film on the achievement of Government during the first year were released by the Chief Minister. A short film on War on Drugs 2.0 was screened during the programme. After the end of the programme, a friendly football match was played between CM’s 11 and Senapati 11 at the Public Ground.

In the recently concluded Business 20 (B20) summit, delegates of G20 countries, diplomats of other foreign countries and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have expressed willingness to invest in various sectors in Nagaland.

By James Khangenbam 13 April 2023 Imphal:

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that the Bangladesh delegation has expressed interest in purchasing cereals from the state and reviving the Tuli Paper Mill in Mokokchung, where production had stopped in 1982, reported Assam Tribune.

Nagaland attracts lots of investment proposal in B20 meet

The chairman of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) North East Council, Pradeep Bagla said interest was expressed in organic agriculture, skill development, cultural tourism and technology after the conference. The Nagaland summit was a great success as 60 delegates from 27 countries participated in it. “This was the first time that Nagaland showcased its potential before so many foreign delegates. The rich tradition and culture, agriculture and textiles of the Nagas were shown to the world and its potential was highlighted,” said Bagla.

Four B20 meetings were held as part of the G20 summit in Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim and Nagaland.

The B20 is the official G20 dialogue forum representing the global business community, with companies and business organizations as participants. The Northeast region of India has been a significant focus for B20 India Initiatives, with four conferences planned across the region to showcase the vast potential and opportunities within the region, reported Newson Air.

The first three conferences held in Imphal, Aizawl, and Gangtok have been successful in their objective of highlighting the untapped potential of the northeast.

Nagaland has the potential for organic agriculture, food processing and skill development. A lot of interest has been generated and hopeful of much more investments and employment generation in the state, said principal economic advisor in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Rupa Dutta.

Nagaland has the potential for organic agriculture, food processing and skill development. A lot of interest has been generated and hopeful of much more investments and employment generation in the state, Dutta said.

According to Assam Tribune, the president of India Association of Japan, Sanjay Mehrotra said the organisation is interested in infrastructure development work in Nagaland.

Japan wants to invest in sectors like drinking water, garbage and crowd management and tourism industry in Nagaland, he said. “We have discussed with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio … He was very positive and is keen about the development of Nagaland. He has said he will take a high-profile delegation to Tokyo in the coming months, while Japanese diplomats will visit the state soon to strengthen ties,” Mehrotra said.

The B20 conference was attended by delegates from Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Estonia, Germany, Iceland and Indonesia. Delegates from Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Nepal, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, United Kingdom and the United States also attended.

Manipur hosting global events of G20 is a sign that the State is moving towards development, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Addressing the inaugural session of the C20-India 2023 Vashudhaiva Kutum-bakam National Conference, organized by Chinmaya Mission at the conference hall of the Hotel Imphal.

By James Khangenbam 10 April 2023 Imphal:

Manipur hosts C 20 Meet 

N Biren said there is development in the State with improvement in the law-and-order situation under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and support of the people.C20, short for Civil-20 is an official engagement group of the G20, representing the civil society organizations of the G20 member countries.

Continuing his speech, N Biren said India has been bestowed with the honour of guiding the world with the country assuming the G20 presidency. It is a proud moment for every citizen of India. He added that the Prime Minister has very aptly chosen the theme for India’s presidency as “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which translates to “One Earth, One Family, One Future” .

The theme, LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) also puts the spotlight on the importance of making environ- mentally sustainable and responsible choices which will lead to adopting globally transformative actions for a cleaner and greener Earth.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that India’s G20 presidency also marks the beginning of Amritkaal that will lead the country to become a futuristic, prosperous, inclusive and developed society, distinguished by a human-centric approach at its core.

He added that Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a universal maxim whose purpose is not imposition but the evolution of human consciousness that will lead to protection of the world through friendship and cooperation. 

N Biren further observed that India has shown the way to defining Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam by supplying Covid vaccines to various Nations, foodgrain to war-torn Nations, and human power to combat disasters. 

He expressed confidence that the deliberation at the conference will go a long way in spreading the invaluable message of universal brotherhood and voicing the concerns of the world population through the civil society organizations to the world leaders in the G20 .

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Y Khemchand Singh, while delivering his speech, stated that economic development of the State is possible through development in the tourism sector. Khemchand continued that Vasudhaiva Kutum-bakam reflects India’s global leadership and added that the country’s role as a global leader has improved a lot under PM Modi.

He mentioned that India as a global leader has been taking a broader role in solving several challenges. He stressed the need to promote the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to maintain peace across the world and also expressed gratitude to the Chinmaya Mission and C20 team for organizing the conference in the State.

Swami Mitrananda resident spiritual mentor at Chinmaya Mission Chennai, Chairman, M Asnikumar Singh Loktak Development Authority, L Nishikanta Singh, Secretary, Chinmaya Mission Trust Manipur, Vice Chancellors of Universities, Professors of various educational institutes, retired and serving army officers also attended the conference, among others.

The inaugural session was followed by technical sessions on topics including Dharma, Education, Ecology, Geopolitics and Defence.