Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio (second from left) and Bangladesh high commissioner Tariq A. Karim take part in the World War II rally during the Hornbill Festival on Monday. (PTI)

Kohima, Dec. 5: The Airtel Hornbill National Rock Contest 2011 was launched by agriculture minister of Nagaland Chumben Murry last evening at Indira Gandhi Stadium.

The minister congratulated the participants, who have come from all over the country. He said besides winning, the spirit of participation was also very important.

He wished them all the best for the contest and asked them to take home the message of love and passion for music.

Project director of Music Task Force Gugs Chishi gave the introductory speech. Advisor of Music Task Force and MLA Dr Nicky Kire was also present during the declaration of the Hornbill National Rock Contest 2011.

Altogether 24 bands from all over the country are participating in the contest.

The 10 bands who took the stage on the first day of screening were Sunep Assemble Band (Nagaland), Agnostic (Assam), Salt and Light Travelling (Manipur), Final Surrender Bengaluru, (Karnataka), In the Name (Nagaland), Grammy Winning Effort (New Delhi), Indigo Children(New Delhi), Dissected Souls (West Bengal), Stacy’s Penitence (Mizoram) and Hate Blood (Manipur).

Another 10 bands were screened today and the remaining four bands will be screened tomorrow.

The winners will be declared on Wednesday.

The winner will receive a prize money of Rs 5 lakh while the second and third runners-up will get Rs 3.50 lakh and Rs 2.50 lakh.

There will also be a cash prize of Rs 30,000 for best vocalist, guitarist, bassist and drummer.

The prize money for the contest is being sponsored by internationally renowned music companies like Roland, Tama, Casio, Yamaha, Drum Craft, Ibanez, Green Partners, North East Sun and the upcoming music company from Nagaland Crescendo and XL Management among others.

The success of the rock contest is attributed to the efforts of Nagaland Music Task Force and contributions from the department of tourism, youth resources and sports, art and culture and power.

Adviser Nicky Kire, chief secretary Lalthara and director-general of police of Nagaland Zeibu Kire with others performed during the Hornbill Festival Rock Concert 2011 to encourage the participants and the music lovers. Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio also attended the programme.