Dimapur (Nagaland), Nov.25 (ANI): Dimapur in Nagaland hosted a two-day cultural festival to mark the 60 years of the Naga Council, which saw an enthusiastic participation of all the Naga tribal communities.

It was also an occasion to promote social harmony by bringing together all the Naga tribes and other non-Naga communities.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was the chief guest at the Golden Jubilee celebrations. He termed Dimapur as "miniature India" where all Naga tribes and other non-Naga communities have lived in harmony and wished the residents make the city vibrant and prosperous.

"This is the only city, the commercial hub where all the Naga tribes, including other communities, business communities are settled and it is a proud moment that we survived 60 years under the banner of this Naga Council in harmony, supporting one another, indeed it is a joyous occasion," said Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland.

All the 19 tribes of Nagas showcased their traditional cultural heritage, music and allied arts and crafts at the festival.

Decorated stalls also dished out varieties of Naga cuisine.

"I think Naga Council has taken the right step especially at the time when there is communal tension, insurgency and violence. To come up with this idea to organise the cultural festival not only including the Nagas but also the non-Naga community, I think this is the right step and festivals such as this will build up more communal ties and better relationship among the Nagas and the non-Nagas," said Panti Kamei, a participant at the Naga Council Festival.

The Naga Council was formed in 1949 by a group of Nagas residing in Dimapur to promote the welfare of fellow Nagas. By Peter Alex Todd (ANI)