Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 26 Mar: A captivating slide show was organised at the Doon Library and Research Centre this evening. Padma Shri awardee, renowned Himalayan and wildlife photographer Anoop Shah, and SS Rasaily, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Retd), presented a slide show and lecture, titled “Towards Nagaland: Our Journey to the Mirror on the Wall”.
The event was part of a photo exhibition that had begun a day earlier, showcasing the diverse aspects of Nagaland’s society and culture. The exhibition will be open to the public from 25 to 30 March, daily from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the third floor.
During the lecture, Anoop Shah and Rasaily shared their experiences and joy of traveling to Nagaland, highlighting the state’s rich and unique cultural heritage. They said, “Our main objective is to introduce people to the culture and society of this state.”
Major General Anand Singh Rawat (Retd), former Chairman, Public Service Commission, stated, “Such exhibitions help us understand the society, people, language, culture, and traditions of another region.” He highlighted the significance of the Great Indian Hornbill in Nagaland, a symbol of power, unity, and Naga identity.
They highlighted the significance of the Great Indian Hornbill in Nagaland, stating that it holds great cultural importance as the state bird of Nagaland. It symbolises power, unity, and Naga identity, and is deeply intertwined with Naga folklore, traditions, and beliefs.
The event also shared information on the conservation efforts for the Great Indian Hornbill in Nagaland. The Hornbill Festival was originally proposed as a winter carnival by the Naga Beauty and Pageantry Society (BASN) and was later adopted by the Nagaland government, inaugurated in December 2000. The festival aims to strengthen inter-tribal relations and preserve Nagaland’s cultural heritage.
The Hornbill Festival is currently organised by the State Tourism Department and the Department of Art and Culture, held at a designated area in Kisama village, 12 kilometres from Kohima.
He emphasised that everybody should understand and appreciate their lifestyle, livelihood, food habits, and culture, which have evolved based on their circumstances.
After the lecture, the audience engaged in a Q&A session with the speakers.
At the opening, Chandrashekhar Tewari, Programme Officer of DLRC, welcomed the guests and audience.
The event was attended by Jugal Kishor Pant, Secretary, Culture, Uttarakhand; Dhananjay Mohan; BS Rawat; Ashok Mehar; Pankaj Nethani; Dr DK Pandey; Hari Chand Nimesh; Jagdish Babla; Gyan Ranjan; Sohan Singh Rajwar; Anjali Bhartari; Bhumeshi Bharti; Bharat Singh Rawat; Bhagwan Prasad Ghildiyal; Dr Lalita Prasad; Jayaprakash Khankhriyal; Praveen Bhatt; Arjun Rawat; Ammar Naqvi; Shailendra Nautiyal; Sunder Singh Bisht; Vinod Saklani; and many other dignitaries, cultural enthusiasts, and young readers.
