Latest news with #HornbillFestival
News18
22-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Nagaland CM reviews NH-2 damage, directs NHIDCL to speed up restoration
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Kohima, Jul 22 (PTI) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday inspected the landslide-affected stretch of National Highway (NH)-2 at Phesama near Kohima and called for immediate and long-term measures to restore connectivity and prevent future disruptions. During the visit, the CM expressed concern over the recurring landslides in the area and acknowledged the challenges posed by Nagaland's hilly and landslide-prone terrain. 'National Highways are the lifelines of a nation, essential for connectivity and economic activity," Rio said, while stressing that the state government is working closely with implementing agencies to ensure early restoration. 'This is not a one-time issue; it has been happening since our childhood. The landslides and road obstructions are a lifelong challenge," he said while suggesting that an alternative route be developed with full NH specifications to handle heavy traffic; otherwise, village roads would collapse under the load of highway traffic. Interacting with officials of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Rio urged the use of concrete, iron rods, and if possible, piling to strengthen the affected portions. 'Don't do temporary work. Construct a proper CC bridge and, if required, go for a flyover so that debris can pass below without obstructing the road," he stated. Executive Director of NHIDCL, R P Singh, apprised the chief minister that the underlying field area had turned into slush due to continuous rains, making it difficult for restoration equipment to enter. He said that the road had sunk impacting a 37-metre stretch, and that if weather conditions permit, temporary restoration could be completed by August 18. Rio acknowledged the difficulty in carrying out major work during the monsoon but instructed agencies to create a temporary passage and begin concrete work once the rains subside. 'The real landslip is expected during August-September, so a long-term strategy must be in place," he added. The chief minister also flagged the road's strategic importance, noting that it connects to the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama—venue of the annual Hornbill Festival. 'Last year, repairs continued until the last minute. This time we must plan well in advance and coordinate with NHIDCL, the district administration, and other stakeholders," he said. Rio also cautioned against poor disposal practices during landslip clearance and advised that debris must be properly managed without damaging nearby structures. Reflecting on the state's condition, Rio humorously remarked, 'Nagaland has only two seasons—mud season and dust season—due to human negligence," urging all stakeholders to work in unison for better planning and disaster preparedness. 'We must not wait for the last minute. Let's all be prepared," the chief minister added. Deputy Chief Ministers T R Zeliang and Y Patton and legislators S Keoshu Yimkhiung, Kropol Vitsu and Kevipodi Sophie accompanied the chief minister during the inspection. The stretch of highway connecting Kohima to Imphal NH-2 in Southern Angami region had completely sunk on June 2 following heavy rain. Meanwhile, on the request of the Phesama Village Council chairman Beizo M Kuotsu, the chief minister directed the Deputy Commissioner Kohima to conduct a proper survey to extend disaster compensation for damaged paddy fields and farms of the affected villagers. PTI NBS NBS RG view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 18:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Mongdoll to collaborate with Indian band Trance Effect
Cross-cultural single 'Fighting' delivers message of hope, unity, marking Mongdoll's first step onto global stage Korean rock band Mongdoll is teaming up with India's Trance Effect on a fresh new collaboration. Their single 'Fighting' will be released at 6 p.m. on July 23 through major online music platforms. This marks the first-ever official project between a Korean rock band and an Indian rock band, giving it special significance. Mongdoll and Trance Effect, rooted in different cultural backgrounds, have joined forces to deliver a cross-border message of positivity and solidarity. 'Fighting' combines bright, upbeat melodies with vibrant band instrumentation, conveying energy and hope to listeners. Ahead of the release, the bandmates of Mongdoll shared their thoughts through agency MY Music, 'We're thrilled to be making a new cultural connection between Korea and India through this single, and even more excited to be taking our first step onto the global stage.' Formed in August 2021, Mongdoll is a five-member band known for its lyrical, refreshing sound. The band has gained attention in Korea's indie scene with its strong showing at various music competitions. In June, the band released 'Yes Man,' its first single in 11 months, noted for its comforting and empathetic message. The collaboration with Trance Effect is expected to accelerate the band's global expansion. Trance Effect is known for a genre-blending sound that spans pop, rock and electronica. The band has made a name for itself across India by headlining the country's largest cultural event, the Hornbill Festival, two consecutive years.
News18
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
‘Everyone Looks Same': Yatra Guru Ji Under Fire Disrespecting Nagaland Locals
Travel vlogger Bhanwar Lal Vishnoi is facing backlash after claiming that the faces of Nagaland people look very similar. Bhanwar Lal Vishnoi, popularly known as Yatra Guru Ji, a travel vlogger from Rajasthan, is under fire for posting videos that many believe disrespect women from Nagaland and tribal communities. His recent YouTube uploads, featuring provocative thumbnails and insensitive titles, have sparked widespread outrage on social media. The backlash intensified after a video was posted on June 18, in which Vishnoi commented on the appearance of people in Nagaland. In the clip, he says, 'There's something I want to say, the faces here all look kind of similar. As I walk ahead into a more crowded area, I feel like I've seen these people before. Then I spot someone else and again I feel like I've already met them. All the faces look very similar. I'm not making fun of anyone, but I'm just sharing what I honestly feel. It seems like everyone looks the same." The statement, although prefaced with a disclaimer, has been widely condemned as racially insensitive and ignorant. Social media users and locals have called out the vlogger for his remarks, accusing him of promoting harmful stereotypes. Many are now urging authorities to take legal action against him for his offensive behaviour and for disrespecting tribal communities through his content. Although in the videos, Bhanwar Lal Vishnoi mostly talks about Nagaland and other parts of the Northeast, the thumbnails show local women in a very misleading and disrespectful way. The titles of the videos have also left viewers upset. Speaking with The Print, research scholar Heenu Riba, from Arunachal Pradesh, said, 'He has exotified our bodies. He is not showing our culture in the videos, but selling our bodies for his views." After facing backlash, Yatra Guru Ji posted a new video where he said sorry for hurting the people of the Northeast and for showing women in the wrong way. He also told his audience that his team is now working on changing the thumbnails of the videos. While apologising, Bhanwar Lal Vishnoi also explained why he used such pictures and titles. He said he used them to get more views, as this type of content attracts more attention. At the same time, he also said that his videos are clean and meant to share useful information. Surprisingly, Bhanwar Lal Vishnoi has also shared content with YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who is currently facing serious accusations of sharing sensitive details about the Indian Army after Operation Sindoor. The two were together during several trips, including the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland in 2024.
Fashion Value Chain
20-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Built in 90 Days with 400 Tons of Steel, Wootz Delivers a Cultural Marvel in Steel
Wootz Buildsys, a leader in innovative infrastructure solutions in steel, proudly announces the successful completion of a culturally significant stadium arena for the 25th Silver Jubilee edition of the Hornbill Festival, held in December 2024 in Kisama, the heritage village of Kohima, Nagaland. Commissioned by the state as a project of critical importance, the arena was conceptualized, designed, fabricated, and fully erected within a remarkably short span of just three months. The project was not only vital for enhancing the festivals experience but also symbolized Nagaland's rich cultural heritage presented to the world on a grander scale than ever before. Wootz Buildsys builds world-class Hornbill Festival arena in 90 days, led by Ar. Anurag Agarwal 'Delivering this project within such a tight timeline and in challenging terrain required meticulous planning and relentless execution,' said Ar. Anurag Agarwal, Founder of Wootz Buildsys. 'We are proud to have contributed to such a prestigious event that celebrates India's tribal legacy.' Project Highlights: Total Steel Used: 400,000 kg of structural steel Transportation: 20 trailers travelled over 2,200 km each through hilly and landslide-prone regions Execution Timeline: 90 days Site Conditions: Continuous rainfall and difficult terrain Despite intense logistical and geographical hurdles, the Wootz project team executed every phase-from design to site delivery-with precision. Work continued round-the-clock through adverse weather, showcasing the teams dedication, problem-solving mindset, and technical mastery. This achievement reflects Wootz Buildsys' commitment to creating not just structures, but legacies-delivering projects that blend engineering excellence with cultural significance. About Wootz Buildsys Founded by Anurag Agarwal, Wootz Buildsys aims to revolutionize the construction industry in India by promoting green building practices, cutting-edge construction technologies, and ethical work culture. The company is driven by a vision to lead with innovation, sustainability, and stakeholder trust while fostering a dynamic and people-first work environment.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Pune district tourism plan features paragliding, hot air balloon fest
Pune: A comprehensive tourism development plan for the Pune district — featuring international paragliding competitions in Mulshi, a grand cycling challenge across all tehsils, hot air balloon festivals in Baramati and Indapur, and water sports at Pawna dam — was presented in a review meeting chaired by deputy chief minister and Pune guardian minister Ajit Pawar at the Mantralaya, officials said on Tuesday. The plan presented on Monday also includes the promotion of the district's forts, ancient temples, scenic ghats, and cultural events such as music, theatre, storytelling, poetry readings, and folk-art festivals. Adventure activities like motorboating and zip-lining have been proposed to provide tourists with immersive and thrilling experiences. The initiatives are part of a sustainable tourism push that aims to unlock the untapped tourism potential of the Pune district. Ajit Pawar stressed the need to put Pune firmly on the country's tourism map by leveraging its heritage sites, temples, and folk traditions. He directed Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi to ensure that a comprehensive tourism development plan is prepared. During the meeting, Pawar pointed out that while 79% of foreign tourists in Maharashtra visit Mumbai, only 14% make their way to Pune. 'With consistent implementation of this plan, we aim to increase annual tourist footfall in Pune district to 40 lakh in the next three years and one crore in the next five. This will add ₹10,000–15,000 crore to the district's GDP and create over 50,000 direct jobs and 5 lakh indirect employment opportunities,' he said. Pawar added that events such as paragliding competitions, cycling challenges, balloon festivals, and cultural fairs will be held annually on fixed dates to ensure consistency and build brand identity. 'These initiatives will give Pune a new tourism identity,' he said. Officials developing Pune's tourism blueprint have studied successful models from other states, such as Gujarat's Rann Utsav, Arunachal Pradesh's Ziro Festival, Rajasthan's Jaipur Literature Festival, and Nagaland's Hornbill Festival. Ajit Pawar emphasised the need to collaborate with tourism experts, institutions, and private organisations to execute the plan effectively. Focus on Bhimashankar, Sinhagad fort The meeting also reviewed development plans for the Bhimashankar temple area and the historic Sinhagad Fort. Pawar instructed officials to undertake new projects that enhance the pilgrimage and heritage value of both sites while preserving their architectural and cultural essence.
