The 2nd edition of Autumn Festival 2023 celebration, a prelude to Hornbill Festival 2023, also known as the ‘Festival of Festivals’ began at Nagaland House, 29 Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, New Delhi on 3rd November 2023 with Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (GoI), Manisha Saxena IAS as the chief guest.

Speaking at the event Manisha Saxena stated that the North Eastern states, accounts for 8% of India’s total area, 4% of its population and almost 4% of its GDP, but in terms of experience it is 100% fun, sustainable and beautiful. She stated that the GoI is also organizing International Travel Mart at Shillong, Meghalaya from 21st to 23rd November 2023. She further added that the Hornbill Festival has carved a niche for itself as a brand and expressed hope that through the Autumn Festival the people in Delhi will be able to experience a little bit of the culinary, handloom and handicrafts of the State and encouraged them to be a part of the Hornbill Festival 2023 at Kisama, Nagaland.

The chief guest also inaugurated the exhibition stalls set up at the lawn, offering handmade crafts, textiles, cuisines indigenous to the State of Nagaland. Guests and visitors were also treated to an array of cultural extravaganza such as traditional dance, folk songs, traditional Naga wrestling, musical performance, and a fashion show by Designer, Vilhousa Movi.  

Minister, Tourism and Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, Temjen Imna Along was also present at the event where he unveiled the theme song of the Festival.

The Autumn Festival is a two-day event, 3rd – 4th November 2023, organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland in association with the Chief Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, New Delhi and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. 

(Deputy Director, NH New Delhi & Nouneseno, IA)