All about an event

In life, no matter what efforts are made to bring the best, there are bound to be the community of skeptics and cynics who refuse to accept the good or bright side of anything. Since 2000 when the state government conceptualised an all-for-one-and-one-for-all kind of a Naga festival, the legendary Hornbill bird was chosen as the symbol. Since 2000 the Hornbill festival has grown in terms of events as well as underwent an evolution. Later Hornbill was given its permanent address at another created village called Kisama or the Heritage Village. Kisama the cultural Eden for the Hornbill Festival running through the first week of December every year; has become the mecca of Naga festivals. Hornbill festival is today, a global event that has attracted attention worldwide because of its unique tribal essence which has generated a bond among various communities. The festival is also a reflection of the awesome event management of the government which ensures that the annual Hornbill endures for as long as it can. The duration of the Hornbill has been extended from one day to two, three etc till the present 10-day event. Over two decades of Hornbill has successfully showcased Nagaland and the tribes and the innovation of the people. The Hornbill 2020 could not be held due to the covid pandemic. In 2021 it has to be cut short owing to the Oting massacre on December 4,2021. Nagaland has yet to attract the desired number of tourists except during the ten-day Hornbill Festival in Kohima. Sikkim is a good example where eco-tourism has grown into a thriving industry due to government intervention along with awareness spread through tourism-oriented NGOs. There are states which attract tourists with their agro produce such as the wines of Shillong, oranges of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Nagaland could base its appeal with Agri tourism as there is ample evidence of horticulture and floriculture which people in general are familiar with. Sometimes ideas run out or simply because visitors find it hard to relax and enjoy since everything about Hornbill is the hectic schedules and the distances of venues that have to be travelled through Kohima’s traffic where vehicles move at snail’s pace. It is time for the organisers of the Hornbill to also take note of other matters so as to promote tourist travel. Tourists visiting the Hornbill may do so for different reasons. What makes some return for the second or more times, could be anything from dances, crafts etc while traditional cuisines are internationally priced beyond the reach of the aam admi. There is need to accord top priority on development of scenic spots and cleanliness. Being in Kohima for the Hornbill Festival also means having to pay through one’s nose for accommodation, steep local taxi fares and eat the local cuisines that may as well have at a five star international hotel. The authorities need to check exorbitance otherwise the entire show might collapse one day if the expenditure is not justified. At the end of the day, there has to be an assessment of what worthwhile gains have been achieved from of all these efforts. It is also time for the government of Nagaland to realise that it should focus on roads, electricity, water and governance instead of acting like a big event management corporation.