Yangerjungla, a research scholar from the Department of Law, Nagaland University, was awarded Best Paper Presenter for her paper titled “Hornbill Festival as a Platform of Cultural Diplomacy: Bridging Nagaland with Asia and Beyond.”
She received the award during the three-day Multidisciplinary International Seminar on “North-East India and Beyond: Past, Present, and Future,” held from 14 to 16 November 2025. Organised by the Rajiv Gandhi University Research Scholars’ Forum (RGURSF) in collaboration with the Department of Mass Communication, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), the seminar served as a dynamic platform for students, researchers, academicians, experts and policymakers to engage in meaningful dialogue on the region’s past legacies, present challenges and emerging futures.
The event featured five technical sessions and brought together more than 273 participants who presented their research across diverse disciplines linked to North-East India and its wider connections. The seminar encouraged interdisciplinary exchange, fostering new perspectives on cultural, socio-political, economic and developmental issues shaping the region.
Yangerjungla’s study highlighted how Nagaland’s iconic Hornbill Festival has evolved into a significant tool of cultural diplomacy, projecting indigenous Naga heritage on the global stage while complementing India’s Act East Policy outreach. The paper also underscored the urgent need to address concerns related to authenticity, commodification and sustainability as the festival continues to expand its international influence.
Yangerjungla is pursuing her PhD under the supervision of Dr. Sentikumla, Assistant Professor in the Department of Law, Nagaland University, Lumami Campus.