Union Minister for DoNER and Parliamentary Affairs Pawan Singh Ghatowar said that the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland was a great occasion for the whole India and one that the country was proud of and also expressed appreciated to the government of Nagaland for   immortalizing the popular bird – Hornbill by naming the festival after it.

Ghatowar also lauded the efforts of state chief minister Neiphiu Rio for playing a perfect host of the Hornbill Festival which he said was one of Rio’s biggest contributions in bringing people together.

Speaking at the flagging off ceremony of the World War II Peace Rally, to commemorate the Battle of Kohima, organized by the State Government and the Nagaland Adventure & Motor Sports Association (NAMSA) on Tuesday at The Heritage, Ghatowar also said that Nagaland has the qualities to emerge one of the best states of the country, adding that the centre was willing to give assistance in all possible ways.

He also asserted that peace and development should go hand in hand together and that development cannot wait for peace and neither could peace wait for development. Ghatowar opined that Nagaland wa progressing and marching ahead under the able leadership of Neiphiu as chief minister.  
 
He expressed pleasant surprise to be part of the festival that was organized in a magnificent manner enabling all the Naga tribes to come together in their colourful attires to dance, sing and mingle which each other with happiness .Ghatowar lauded Nagas as soft hearted, filled with humanity and love even though they were warriors.

Saying that ‘seeing is believing’ Ghatowar revealed he was overwhelmed to see the happenings at the Naga Heritage, Kisama including the night bazaar in Kohima where people from all walks of life were part of the great Hornbill Festival.  Ghatowar also urged upon foreign and domestic tourists not only to come along but also to bring their families to witness the reality and great events at the festival.  

On the World War II Peace Rally,the union minister reminded that war was a history of various killing and bloodshed but today, was a reminder that everybody has to live in this world with peace, love, friendship and cooperation.

He said World War II was a haunting part of history, but now in the modern history, those who ought against each other have formed the strongest alliance and working together for peace and prosperity of the world. He later, flagged of the WW II Peace Rally with 16 participants and state chief minister Neiphiu Rio leading it as the ‘Rally Commander-in-Chief’.  

Earlier, in his welcome address, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio said the desire of all people was for a permanent peace in Naga society and reiterated his government’s efforts to promote peace and unity in Naga society.      

Rio also explained that the objective of the Hornbill Festival was to showcase the rich traditional cultural heritage of the Naga society and also to show how the Nagas have progressed in various fields to the country and the world.

Rio said to him, one important aspect of the World War II Peace Rally was to promote peace and at the same time tourism.  He said historic battles fields and war spots, where people fought and humans suffered, have today become hot spots for tourist attraction. Rio said history has now turned into industry and that the biggest industry was tourism.

The function was chaired by Abu Metha, president, FAMSANE and the vote of thanks proposed by state chief secretary Lalthara. The rally touched various sites of Kohima the scene of one of the fiercest hand to hand battle and stopped for laying of wreaths at the Common Wealth War Grave (War Cemetery) enroute Kisama where a prize distribution ceremony was held.