The 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland welcomed an unprecedented 2.5 lakh visitors, but this year’s event was more than just a cultural extravaganza—it was about conversations that matter. Reckitt’s Durex The Birds and Bees Talk (TBBT), a transformative life-skills program, captured hearts with its unique Consent Café, the first of its kind in Asia, creating a safe and engaging space to discuss consent, equity, and inclusion.
The café, inaugurated by ShriAnoopKhinchi (IAS) and ShriThavaseelan K (IAS), offered immersive experiences blending music, art, and storytelling to spark critical discussions. Adding to the cultural momentum, Durex TBBT launched a Rap Album featuring five local artists, each representing the program’s core values: consent, awareness, protection, inclusion, and equity.
The festival was not just a platform for entertainment but also an economic boost for Nagaland’s communities. From vendors selling handmade crafts to local businesses thriving on the festival’s energy, the impact was palpable. Gaurav Jain, EVP, Reckitt South Asia, remarked, “Our goal is to empower youth through awareness while uplifting local communities.”
