Nagaland Renews Hornbill Festival Amidst Opposition to Travel Restrictions
Nagaland government renewed the Hornbill Festival despite opposing travel curbs, highlighting the importance of tourism and cultural promotion.
Photo by Marijke van den Krommenacker
Quick Revision
Nagaland government renewed Hornbill Festival for 10 years.
Hornbill Festival is a major annual cultural event.
State government opposed Centre's advisory on travel restrictions.
The festival is crucial for promoting tribal heritage and tourism.
Travel curbs were issued due to law and order concerns.
Key Numbers
Visual Insights
Nagaland's Hornbill Festival: Balancing Tourism & Security
This map highlights Nagaland, the host state of the Hornbill Festival, and its capital Kohima. It illustrates the geographical context of the news, showing Nagaland's location in Northeast India, a region often sensitive to law and order issues, contrasting with its efforts to promote tourism and economic development through cultural events like the Hornbill Festival. The Centre's advisory originates from Delhi.
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Exam Angles
Centre-State relations, especially concerning law and order and economic development.
Special provisions for states under Article 371A (Nagaland).
Role of cultural festivals in promoting tourism and preserving tribal heritage.
Impact of security advisories on state economies.
Cooperative federalism and its challenges in conflict-prone regions.
View Detailed Summary
Summary
The Nagaland government has decided to renew the Hornbill Festival, a major annual cultural event, for another 10 years, despite expressing strong opposition to the Centre's advisory on travel restrictions to the state. The festival, often called the 'Festival of Festivals,' is crucial for promoting Nagaland's rich tribal heritage and boosting its tourism economy.
The state government's stance against travel curbs, which were issued due to concerns about the law and order situation, underscores the tension between security concerns and economic development, particularly in regions heavily reliant on tourism. This situation highlights the delicate balance states must strike between ensuring safety and promoting their cultural and economic interests.
Background
The Hornbill Festival is an annual cultural event in Nagaland, showcasing the rich tribal heritage of the state. It is a significant tourism driver and is often referred to as the 'Festival of Festivals'.
The festival's renewal for another decade underscores its economic and cultural importance to the state. However, the context of the Centre's advisory on travel restrictions due to law and order concerns highlights the long-standing tension between security imperatives and developmental aspirations in India's North-Eastern states.
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Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. With reference to the Hornbill Festival, consider the following statements: 1. It is an annual cultural festival celebrated in Nagaland, often called the 'Festival of Festivals'. 2. The primary objective of the festival is to promote the state's rich tribal heritage and boost its tourism economy. 3. The festival is named after a bird species endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is correct. The Hornbill Festival is indeed an annual cultural event in Nagaland, known as the 'Festival of Festivals'. Statement 2 is correct. The summary explicitly states its crucial role in promoting tribal heritage and boosting tourism. Statement 3 is incorrect. While the Hornbill is a significant bird, it is not endemic to the Western Ghats; several species are found across India, including the Northeast, and the festival's name is symbolic of the bird's cultural significance to the Naga tribes, not its endemicity to a specific region like the Western Ghats.
2. Consider the following statements regarding the special provisions for Nagaland under the Constitution of India: 1. Article 371A primarily aims to protect the customary laws and social practices of the Nagas. 2. Parliament cannot make any law on matters of religious or social practices of the Nagas without the concurrence of the State Legislative Assembly. 3. The Governor of Nagaland has a special responsibility with respect to law and order in the state, and his decision in this regard is final. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct. Article 371A grants special provisions to Nagaland to protect Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving customary law, ownership and transfer of land and its resources. Statement 2 is correct. It explicitly states that an Act of Parliament in respect of these matters shall not apply to Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides. Statement 3 is correct. The Governor of Nagaland has special responsibility with respect to law and order in the state for so long as internal disturbances occurring in the Naga Hills-Tuensang Area immediately before the formation of that State continue. In the discharge of this function, the Governor, after consulting the Council of Ministers, exercises his individual judgment, and his decision is final.
3. Assertion (A): The Union Government can issue advisories to states regarding law and order situations. Reason (R): 'Public Order' is a subject exclusively listed in the Union List, giving the Centre overriding powers in this domain. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true but R is false.
- D.A is false but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: C
Assertion (A) is true. The Union Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, can and often does issue advisories to states on various matters, including law and order, especially when there are concerns about national security or inter-state implications. However, Reason (R) is false. 'Public Order' is explicitly listed as Entry 1 in the State List (List II) of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. This means that states primarily have the legislative and executive competence over public order. While the Centre can advise, it does not have 'overriding powers' based on public order being in the Union List, as it is not there.
Source Articles
As Hornbill Festival begins in Nagaland, a State versus Centre row brews | India News - The Indian Express
Nagaland gears up for Hornbill festival from Dec 1 | Life-style News - The Indian Express
Hornbill Festival 2024: Get ready to immerse yourself in Nagaland’s vibrant culture | Art-and-culture News - The Indian Express
Knowledge nugget of the day: Hornbill Festival
Latest News on Hornbill Festival: Get Hornbill Festival News Updates along with Photos, Videos and Latest News Headlines | The Indian Express