The full text of the message of the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio on the occasion of the Virtual Hornbill Festival 2020 is as follows :

“Dear Friends, Greetings from Nagaland, the Land of Festivals. And welcome to the Hornbill Festival, the Festival of Festivals, which is being commemorated in a virtual mode.

The Hornbill Festival is the flagship tourism event of Nagaland and has emerged as an internationally acclaimed global festival. The ten day event, beginning from the 1st of December every year, is unique, and like no other festival anywhere else. The festival is a celebration of the Naga tribal way of life, an extravaganza of our rich cultural heritage, that showcases the energy and vibrancy of Naga youth.The Festival is today, one of Nagaland’s internationally acknowledged intellectual properties that has successfully propelled Nagaland’s emerging soft power into the global stage, where every Naga is a proud stakeholder.

The Hornbill Festival signifies unity and oneness in all aspectswhile exemplifying the vast potentials and aspirations of our youth. Most of the events are conceptualised, curated and implemented by young entrepreneurs, event management groups, innovators and non-government organisations that create a 100 crore plus Hornbill economywhich generates more than 8000 jobs and is home to more than 500 events held across 6 districts of Nagaland.

The pandemic has created new normals, and accordingly Nagaland is rewriting the tourism script by aligningthe industry to the changed dynamics.Once the world reopens, Nagaland will be prepared with a tourism narrative, that is in tune with a post Covid scenario, and the Naga people will be ready to welcome you to this beautiful land,where, together we will create experiences that will become lifelong memories.I wish all citizens of Nagaland and our well-wishers and friends all around the world,  a Happy “virtual” Hornbill Festival.”

(DIPR)