The Nagaland Transparency Public Rights Advocacy and Direct Action Organization (NTPRADAO) has urged the Minister for Tourism, Nagaland and the Department’s Commissioner & Secretary to include Mrs. Femme International 2024, Niesa Kolakhe, in “one of the grand events (or) the closing ceremony program” of the ongoing 25th Hornbill Festival.

In a statement, Women Coordinators, Rhonthunglo K Lotha and M. Benny suggested that Kolakhe, the first Indian woman to win the title, might have been sidelined due to “some of the organizers jealousy, mean spirit attitude and small-minded nature”. They reminded that she had won a pageant at an international world level, and “she deserves to be showcased as one of our illustrious state Cultural Ambassador.”

The NTPRADAO mentioned that Niesa Kolakhe, a talented stylist and former air hostess from Nagaland, was crowned Mrs. Femme International 2024 on 27th October 2024. The Organization also quoted the statement from Mrs. India Inc., patron of the pageant, that stated, “it is more than just a pageant; it’s a movement to empower married women and celebrate their unique Journeys with Neisa Kolakhe as their 2024 title-holder, they are excited to showcase the incredible strength, beauty, and talent of women from India on a global stage. Together, they are redefining the narrative of beauty and inspiring a new generation of empowered women”.

Urging the Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along and Commissioner & Secretary Dr. G. Hukuka Sema to take appropriate steps, the NTPRADAO said that non-inclusion of Niesa Kolakhe at the Hornbill Festival “may invite retaliation” and its “women flocks may go against the perceived inefficiency and negativity of the duo”.