Minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Metsubo Jamir inspecting the 70th Republic Day parade contingents at DDSC Stadium, Dimapur. (DRPO, Dimapur)
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 27 (MExN): The 70th Indian Republic Day was observed by the Nagaland State Government across the various districts of the state.
Kohima:
In Kohima, Governor PB Acharya was the chief guest, who inaugurated the exhibition stalls set up by different departments at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima.
13 parade contingents participated at the 70th Republic day celebrations at Civil Secretariat, Kohima.
The parade commander was Denyong, Dy. Commandant 4th NAP BN and Parade Commander 2 I/C was Lucy Yhome, Assistant Commandant, 4th NAP BN.
The participating Contingents were 3rd Assam Rifles, D.E.F Kohima, 4th NAP Thizama, 10th NAP (IR) Bn. Zhadima, 15th NAP (IR) Mahila BN Chumukedima, Nagaland Police Central Brass Band, PTS Chumukedima, 3rd (IR) Bn Arunachal Pradesh, Home Guards & Civil Defence Kohima, 9th Assam Rifles Pipe Band, Village Guards. Tourist Police Nagaland, Ex- Serviceman, 15th NAP (IR) Mahila Bn. Pipe Band.
Dimapur:
The celebration was held at DDSC Stadium Dimapur with Minister, Urban Development, Municipal Affairs, Metsubo Jamir as special guest.
He stated that in the last 69 years, India has faced numerous challenges from both within and outside the country but the constitution has ensured that the country remains a “vibrant and strong democracy.”
On the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Jamir said Nagaland stands protected under the provision of article 371A of the constitution of India and the inner line permit mechanism as per Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 which was reaffirmed as clause 16 of the 16 Point Agreement. He however appealed to the Government of India to have wider consultations with all North Eastern states to ensure that the rights of the indigenous people are fully protected.
As the quest for a final settlement of the Naga issue continues, he said, the government is also committed to ensure good governance and development in the state keeping the citizens as the prime focus.
He also highlighted different schemes and programmes undertaken by the government for all round development in the state.
Longleng:
In Longleng Tongpang Ozukam Minister of Public Works Department was the special guest at Local Football Ground, Longleng.
He said that the top priority of the PDA Government is to bring final settlement to the seven decades old Naga Political issue once and for all.
To resolve the Naga Political issue at the earliest the PDA Government is fully committed to play the role of an active facilitator in the ongoing political negotiation between the Government of India and the Naga political groups, he said.
The Minister added that the Political Affair Committee (PAC) along with the PDA Legislature had a joint consultative meeting with the tribal hohos and civil organizations to urge all Naga political groups to join the peace talk with the Government of India to achieve inclusive solution.
Earlier the Chief Guest unfurled the National Flag and took salute from four contingents comprised of the DEF Longleng and three other Village Guards contingents.
The other highlights of the program included Tug of war between DBs and GBs, Volleyball exhibition match and inspection of stalls by the Special Guest.
Phek:
In Phek, Minister for PHED, Jacob Zhimomi unfurled national flag, took Rastriya salute from the parade contingents of 22nd AR Phek, DEF Phek, 5th NAP, Home Guard and Pipe piper band from 22nd AR Phek.
A special presentation was given by Grace while other highlights included folk dance from Kutsapo village cultural troupe, folk song by Hebron-1 colony youth and Pochury Mothers Union Phek town.
In the evening programme a tug of war was played between DC Office, Phek, 22nd AR, DEF Phek, 5th NAP Phek Other Departments Officers (HODs) Phek town chairman ward & GBs and Phek town youth society. Beating of retreat was done by 22nd Assam Rifles Bn. Phek.
Peren:
At Peren, Minister for Agriculture and Co-operation, G. Kaito Aye unfurled the national flag followed by Inspection of Parade Contigents and delivered his Republic Day speech.
Assistant Commandant, K. Soriso was the Commander of the parade contingents comprising of DEF Peren, 9 (IR)B, Sainik School Punglwa and 36 Assam Rifles Jalukie. Highlights of the function were Band Display by 36 Assam Rifles Pipe band, Peren District Music Society, Cultural Dance by New Jalukie, Inbung Village Cultural troupe and Kejanglwa Choir.
The function was compered by Itogongle and Ngautube.
Tuensang:
The 70th Republic Day was celebrated at Tuensang parade ground on January 26 with minister for planning & coordination and land revenue Neiba Kronu as the chief guest.
Kronu unfurled the national flag and took Rashtriya salute from the march pass contingents.
In Republic Day speech, he highlighted the developmental activities and policies of the government.
Touching on road sector, he said that to boost socio-economic development of the state, special thrust is directed on improvement of road communication infrastructure, through Special Road programmes, NABARD-RIDF, PMGSY and GOI under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
He said that road improvement works at Kohima, Dimapur city portion road are taken up on war footing.
In power sector, he said that augmentation of power supply to bridge the critical gaps between the demand and supply of power has been taken up by upgradation of existing 100 MVA to 200 MVA at Dimapur. Laying of 220 KV D/C transmission line from Dimapur - Zhadima is in good progress, he said.
He gave away district commendation award, award for cleanest ward of Tuensang town as well as Tuensang ATMA award.
Later, he inspected exhibition stalls. The celebration was also marked by cultural presentation, feeding of patients, visit to district jails, orphanage and beating of retreat.
Wokha:
Minister for Health & Family Welfare, S PangnyuPhom was the chief guest at Wokha. He stated that law and order the state is by and large peaceful, and that the police and administration have taken remarkable steps in strengthening law enforcement mechanism and security to the citizens.
Altogether four parade contingents, DEF, 7th NAP, Civil Defense and Home Guards, Ex-Service Man and 28Assam Rifles Pipe band took part in the march past. Other highlight of the celebration included folk song and folk dance by Wokha town EloeErame cultural troupe and Lotha Naga Society Wokha village unit.
Mon:
Minister, Soil & Water Conservation, Geology & Mining, Government of Nagaland V Kashiho Sangtam hoisted the National flag at Local ground, Mon Hq.
He said that since the creation of Nagaland as a state of Indian Union in 1963, “we continue as a partner in the development and progress of the nation.”
“In order to protect and safeguard our historic and unique cultural traditions and customary practices, special constitutional provision under Article 371 (A) were incorporated in the constitution of India. This Special Provision not only safeguards the right of the people of Nagaland but also given opportunity for the people of Nagaland to grow and develop according to their own genius,” he added.
In the evening session, Thavasselan K, IAS Deputy Commissioner Mon was the special guest.
Kiphire:
Greeting the people of Nagaland, Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Higher & Technical Education addressed the celebration in Kiphire.
He mentioned that during the last cabinet meeting which was convened in the aspirational district of Kiphire, the house decided to extend the model of better monitoring and supervision of government schemes in all districts by identifying one aspirational Block in each of the remaining ten districts.
The special guest also inaugurated the exhibition stalls set up by 10 different departments under Kiphire district.
Zunheboto:
Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton was the chief guest in Zunheboto. Four contingents participated in the ceremonial parade namely: DEF Zunheboto, 8 NAP, Home Guards and Ex- serviceman. Other highlights included special number by 8 NAP Naltoqa Orchestra, tug of war by GBs and DBs. The Deputy CM also inaugurated and visited various stalls set up by different departments.
Mokokchung:
The event at Mokokchung was held in the presence of Minister for Transport, Civil Aviation & Railways & Land Resources, P Paiwang Konyak as the special guest. The Minister after the ceremonial unfurling of the National Flag delivered the Republic Day Speech.
Other highlights of the programme included dog show by Takowati, Rtd. Inspector, NAP; Cultural Dance by Khensa Cultural Troupe; Cultural Songs by Naga Wadir Club, Ungma and Dance by Grokha Union, Mokokchung.
Noklak:
In Noklak Hq, Advisor, Information Technology, Science &Technology, New & Renewable Energy, Mmhonlumo Kikon unfurled the national flag and took salute from three parade contingents including 3rd NAP, VG Yempang village, VG Kingniu village. National Anthem was sung by Kuthongshe Club Thangnokyan.
He highlighted government achievements and the policies to be implemented. He also urged the people of Nagaland to come forward and join hands with the Government for all round successful development.
Awards presented during Republic Day in Kohima
• Sr. SP Kohima, Joseph Hesso, IPS received the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
• Office Superintendent, Prison HQ, Kohima, T. Bendangsenla received the President's Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service.
Governor's Commendation Certificates:
• Michael, Angami Typist, PHQ, Kohima
• Vikashe. H. Murumi, Sub-inspector V& AC, Kohima
• Zevikuo Liezietsu, Supdt. Directorate School Education
• Pagai Ndang, Section Officer, Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat Kohima
• National Informatics Centre, Nagaland
Governor's Gold Medal:
• N. Chumdamo Jamio, NPS, AIGP (OPS), PHQ,
• Peter Shuya, UBI, OC Traffic, Dimapur
• H. Tokihe Sema, UBC, DEF, Kohima
• Chonpenthung Ezung, NCS, SDO (C), Wokha
• Longdiba L. Sangtam, NCS, SDO (C), HQ, Kiphire
• Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS, DC Kohima
• Er. L. Akumtoshi, Jr. Er. (Electrical), Dimapur
• Er. Lengminlal Singsong, SDO (Electrical) Kohima
• Er. Longzochang, Supdt. Er. (Design) PWD, Housing