The annual Hornbill Festival, which begins tomorrow, gets international recognition as participants from many counties have confirmed their participation in the Hornbill International Car Rally being organised for the second consecutive year.

Divided into three categories, the rally is jointly sponsored by the Nagaland government and J K Tyres as an event of the week-long Hornbill Festival, a tourism promotion extravaganza in the State.

The festival will be formally inaugurated by the Governor, Mr Nikhil Kumar, at Kisama heritage village, a permanent venue for the annual event, about 12 km south of this capital town.

The festival aims to showcase the entire gamut of Naga life and culture under a single roof to attract visitors by promoting the event as “Festival of Festivals.”

Mr Abu Metha, president of Nagaland Adventure and Motor Sports Association, the organiser of the car rally, said that over 80 participants from various parts of India and countries such as the UK, Japan, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Myanmar are taking part in the competitions, divided into two categories.

The total prize money for the car rally is Rs 15 lakh and the time-speed-distance (TSD) event will begin on December 2 morning from Indira Gandhi Stadium here.

Besides the competition, a World War II vintage jeep rally will be organised to spread the message of peace and futility of violence.

The rally where around 30 vintage cars from different towns in the North-East are taking part, will be commanded by the Chief Minister, Mr Neiphiu Rio, in full military fatigue. The decisive battle of WW II was fought in Kohima between the Allies and the invading Japanese army in 1944.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner and Secretary for Tourism, Mr Himato Zhimomi, said that a few new features would be added this year to the usual events of the annual festival which began in 2001. One important new feature is the literary festival where new books will be released and book stalls be opened.

Diplomats from many countries, particularly the ASEAN, have confirmed their participation. The government expects a large number of foreign tourists during the festival.

The organisers of Hornbill National Rock Competition said that the event this time received tremendous response from all over the country as various musical bands are vying for the audition rounds. The rock competition that offers highest prize money in India is being organised at Indira Gandhi Stadium.

As usual the Naga traditional dance and music, cultural troupes from other NE states, art exhibition, fashion show, selling of handlooms and handicrafts, Kohima night bazar, horti fair, indigenous games and sports, food festival will dominate the festival.

The opening of Hornbill festival also coincides the Nagaland Statehood Day on December 1.

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