Nagaland to hold World War II Peace Rally during Hornbill Festival

The 2021 Hornbill Festival will witness the 11th edition of World War II Peace Rally on December 7, 2021 to promote peace and unity as well as to commemorate the

The 2021 Hornbill Festival will witness the 11th edition of World War II Peace Rally on December 7, 2021 to promote peace and unity as well as to commemorate the Battle of Kohima.

The state this year will be organising 22nd edition of the much awaited 10-day Hornbill Festival, the cultural extravaganza which will take place from December 1, 2021, until December 10, 2021 at the picturesque Naga Heritage village of Kisama. 

During the festival a wreath-laying and flag-raising ceremony will be performed at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Kohima to honour the dead soldiers.

The peace rally cavalcade will pass through Razhu Point, Phool Bari, PR Hill, Phesama, culminating at the 2nd World War Museum in Kisama, Naga Heritage Village, where the prize distribution ceremony will take place at 2 p.m.

What is World War II Peace Rally?

The intended rally is one of the primary attractions in this long-running 10-day cultural festival, which strives to promote peace and harmony while also commemorating the Battle of Kohima.

About the battle of Kohima:  

The Battle of Kohima in 1944 was a significant battle in World War II in the Naga Hills.

It is one such slice of history which was a decisive turning point in 1994 during the World War II.

The battle was fought in some of the world’s most difficult terrain, and it took a massive toll in terms of soldiers and resources, with more than 150,000 dying as a direct result of the battle. 

This includes the deaths of 80,000 refugees and 13,000 British troops during the retreat from Burma to India in 1942, 45,000 Japanese troops and 16,700 British and Indian troops during the Battles of Imphal and Kohima, and an undetermined number of Indian National Army (INA) members and Nagas during the Battle of Imphal and Kohima.

The battle of Kohima took place in three stages from 4 April to 22 June 1944 around the town of Kohima.

The World War II Peace Rally is being organised every year as part of the Hornbill Festival by the Nagaland Adventure and Motor Sports Association (NAMSA).

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