Kohima:Duke of York Prince Andrew showed interest in bilateral engagement with Nagaland for various projects, particularly in power generation, revealed a letter from London’s Buckingham Palace to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on the recent visit of the Duke to the state.
According to official sources here, the letter stated that the Duke of York was greatly touched by the incredibly warm welcome by the Chief Minister and the people of Nagaland accorded him during his visit and that he was delighted to be able to participate in a celebration of the United Kingdom and Nagaland’s culture.
It said the Prince found the music, dance and dress at the cultural show incredible and that he was very pleased to see so many young people at the show while hoping that his presence would encourage renewed energy for the relationship between the United Kingdom and Nagaland in the younger generation.
Sources said he was delighted to have visited Nagaland during Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Year and found the visit to the Kohima War Cemetery incredibly moving and was deeply honoured to have the opportunity to lay a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen at the war cemetery along side the Chief Minister and the IG of Assam Rifles.
It was incredibly important to the Prince that the sacrifice made by the British and Indian soldiers fighting together against the Japanese at Kohima be appropriately recognised during the diamond jubilee visit to India, the letter stated.
Prince Andrew, the third child of Queen Elizabeth II, showed keenness that this April 29-May 6 visit should be used to enhance relationship with the state and in addition asked the British High Commissioner to consider ideas for the United Kingdom and Nagaland to engage in various projects and in particular in power generation.
The Prince Andrew also expressed gratefulness for the beautiful gifts from the Chief Minister and the people of Nagaland and added that these gifts will serve as an excellent memento of what was a very memorable visit.
The Duke of York sent his best wishes to the CM and the people of Nagaland.
Buckingham Palace also wrote appreciation letters to five senior officers of the state government. UNI