Kohima: Peletkie village opened its gates for the second annual Cosmos and Lekie Cai Festival on Saturday. The event runs through October 20 in Peren district. Expect big crowds. The Lekie Mtei Nko, an apex group representing Peletkie, Deukwaram, and Lekieram, runs the show to boost the local economy and display native culture.
Hiazu Meru, the Deputy Commissioner of Peren, arrived as the special guest for the Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland. He praised the live salt preparation demonstration. It brings a remote process to the public. Meru urged the youth to keep these traditions alive while pushing for digital growth. He noted that the village used social media to turn its cosmos plantations into a major draw. "He urged the younger generation to protect and continue practising the quality traditions passed down by their elders, emphasising that the village has gained widespread popularity since last year by leveraging social media platforms to advertise its unique cosmos plantations."
Meru challenged the community to scale up their salt production and seek a geo-tag for the product. He also warned the youth about job saturation in government sectors, pushing them to embrace entrepreneurship instead. The opening ceremony featured keynote addresses, traditional songs, and prayers led by local leaders, including committee chairman Dilam Haisobe and pastor Peusibe Kenn.
The grounds feature organic markets, food stalls, and campsites. Travelers from Dimapur face a two and a half hour drive via the Pimla-Jalukie road. Kohima visitors should plan for three hours via the Khonoma-Heunambe route. The festival continues daily until October 20.
Comments