Tuesday, Dec 03, 2024 08:45 [IST]
Last Update: Tuesday, Dec 03, 2024 03:23 [IST]
KOHIMA, (IPR): A roundtable discussion with partner countries and States was
held today at the Bamboo Hall in Kisama Heritage Village, Nagaland.
The event was
chaired by Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and chairman of
the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and was attended by
Ambassadors of partner countries, representatives of partner States and
ministers, advisors, chairpersons, and bureaucrats of the Government of
Nagaland.
Representing
the Government of Sikkim were Annapurna Alley, secretary, Department of
Information & Public Relations, and Yougan Tamang, press secretary to the
Chief Minister of Sikkim.
Abu Metha
welcomed everyone to the Hornbill Festival, stressing that it is more than just
a celebration. He highlighted that the festival serves as a platform for
people, countries, States, and communities to forge partnerships and build
financial ties.
This year, the
festival features partnerships with countries such as the United States, Japan,
Peru, and Wales, as well as with the Indian States of Sikkim and Telangana, he
informed.
He made a
special mention of the strong delegation from the Government of Sikkim
representing various sectors, commending their active participation and
enthusiasm. He highlighted the unwavering support of Sikkim's Chief Minister
for the venture, who had assured Sikkim's full participation in the Hornbill
Festival.
He described
Sikkim as a trailblazer in organic practices and a model for the rest of the
country, lauding its innovative and eco-friendly initiatives, particularly in
sustainable tourism. He stated that Sikkim's achievements serve as an
inspiration for other States, including Nagaland, to adopt similar
forward-thinking approaches.
Recognising the
immense value of Sikkim's expertise, Metha suggested that bureaucrats from the
Government of Nagaland to connect with representatives of the Government of
Sikkim to explore avenues for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Hekani Jakhalu,
Advisor, Industries & Commerce, Government of Nagaland, in her special
address, described the Hornbill Festival as a glimpse of what Nagaland has to
offer to the world—a snapshot of the vast opportunities the State presents. She
stated that while Nagaland is a small and young State, its greatest strength
lies in its hardworking and resilient youth.
She highlighted
that the people of Nagaland are ready to engage and are seeking meaningful
collaborations rather than mere assistance. She called for identifying strong
partners and states to foster mutual growth and development.
Expressing
gratitude to the Government of Sikkim, she underlined the importance of collaboration
among Northeastern States to achieve shared goals and maximise regional
potential.
Annapurna
Alley, secretary, Information & Public Relations department, expressed
gratitude to the Government of Nagaland for selecting Sikkim as the State
partner on behalf of the Chief Minister and the people of Sikkim, calling it an
"honor".
Highlighting the
similarities between the two States, Alley pointed out that both share similar
terrains and face common challenges and opportunities. She emphasised the
potential for collaboration in various sectors.
Alley noted
that Nagaland was significantly ahead in bamboo technology and highlighted the
opportunity for Sikkim to benefit from their expertise. She also mentioned
exploring ventures in carbon credit points, which could bring mutual benefits
to both States.
In her address,
Alley, on behalf of the government of Sikkim, extended a warm invitation to the
Nagaland government, dignitaries, and citizens to participate in Sikkim's 50th
Statehood celebration next year. She stated that the year-long celebrations
would include symposiums, meetings, and festivals, providing a platform for
mutual collaboration and exploration of shared potentials.
In his brief
address, His Excellency Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde, Ambassador of Peru to
India remarked that Peru shares a profound connection with Nagaland, resonating
deeply due to their shared similarities.
He highlighted
the common challenges both regions face in preserving their indigenous
communities and noted the remarkable parallels between the tribal communities
of Nagaland and Peru. He pointed out shared cultural elements such as
paintings, textiles, and other art forms that carry deep symbolic meanings.
Javier
expressed his intention to strongly recommend Nagaland to the Government of
Peru as a potential partner for facilitating cultural exchanges and building
bridges between the two regions.
Dr Y Kiran
Kumar, CEO, Suchir India Infra and Honorary Consul of Bulgaria, emphasised the
importance of harnessing the talent and potential of the youth, viewing them as
key drivers for innovation and progress. He highlighted the need to create
platforms and opportunities for young people to showcase their skills and
contribute to growth and development.
Dr Kumar also
mentioned the possibility of Bulgaria joining as one of the partner countries
for the Hornbill Festival next year, expressing optimism about fostering
cultural and economic collaborations between Bulgaria and Nagaland.
The meeting was
also addressed by Chihan Kashung, assistant vice president, NE Team, Invest
India, Vivek Abraham, senior director, External Strategy, India & South
Asia, Salesforce, Major Sunil Shetty, director, Omsheel Group Private Limited
and Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor, Agriculture, Government of Nagaland.
The speakers
touched upon various topics, including opportunities for investment in the
Northeast, leveraging technology for sustainable development, fostering
entrepreneurship, and the role of agriculture in driving economic growth. They
highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and private
sector to unlock the region's full potential and create pathways for
innovation, skill development, and market integration.
Reny Wilfred, joint
secretary to the Government of Nagaland, delivered a presentation titled
"Why Nagaland," highlighting the State's vast potential across
various sectors. He explored opportunities in tourism, sports, connectivity,
human resources, agriculture, and allied industries, showcasing how these areas
can drive economic growth and upliftment in the region and the nation as a
whole.
The meeting
concluded with the exchange of key Memorandums of Understanding to mark
significant steps towards collaboration and development.
The Department
of Higher Education exchanged an MoU with Salesforce Inc., aiming to enhance
technological integration and skill development in education. Additionally, the
Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) exchanged an MoU with
Omsheel Group Private Limited, focusing on fostering investment opportunities
and driving economic initiatives in the State of Nagaland.