Nagaland & Sikkim strengthen ties at Hornbill roundtable

Tuesday, Dec 03, 2024 08:45 [IST]

Last Update: Tuesday, Dec 03, 2024 03:23 [IST]

Nagaland & Sikkim strengthen ties at Hornbill roundtable

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.

 

Sikkim at a Glance

  • Area: 7096 Sq Kms
  • Capital: Gangtok
  • Altitude: 5,840 ft
  • Population: 6.10 Lakhs
  • Topography: Hilly terrain elevation from 600 to over 28,509 ft above sea level
  • Climate:
  • Summer: Min- 13°C - Max 21°C
  • Winter: Min- 0.48°C - Max 13°C
  • Rainfall: 325 cms per annum
  • Language Spoken: Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Tibetan, English, Hindi