Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, Vezuhu Keyho, Thejao Vihienuo, and other elders on Friday evening at Ura Academy Hall, Kohima.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 31
The 55th annual Tenyidie Seminar, organised by Ura Academy in collaboration with the Department of Tenyidie, Nagaland University, at Ura Academy Hall, Kohima, culminated on Friday evening with calls for greater promotion of the language.
Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, President of Ura Academy, addressed the closing function and recalled how the American missionaries had established a school where Tenyidie was taught among the learners. Though the language has grown, modern education has overshadowed it. In that backdrop, Ura Academy has been propagating and promoting the Tenyidie language, stating that not knowing one’s own language is concerning.
He stated that Ura Academy, on the first day (May 28) of this year’s annual seminar, organised a seminar and discussion with all Literature Boards of sub-dialects in the context of the new National Education Policy (NEP). He reiterated Ura Academy’s stand, urging these Literature Boards to develop their mother tongues seriously and on a proper footing and to use them in schools as the ‘first language’ at the elementary level, according to the three-language formula, so that students may choose one Modern Indian Language as a compulsory subject from Class 9 onwards.
In this regard, he highlighted that Tenyidie is a Modern Indian Language, available for Tenyimia students up to the Ph.D. level. As such, it would be in the interest of students if Tenyidie is introduced as the second language in schools, enabling students to learn Tenyidie after their mother tongue.
The president said a living language should continue to develop over time and asserted that the Academy wants all sub-languages to play their role with a positive attitude by contributing new words from their languages to Tenyidie—particularly those not currently available in the dictionary.
Highlighting that 64 Naga tribes inhabit the region, as recorded by Rev. V.K. Nuh in his book The Naga Chronicle, the president opined that there could be more than 70 Naga languages, with each tribe having its own language. As such, Tenyidie could become one of the most spoken languages in the absence of a common Naga language.
He stated that the Ura Academy’s annual event is a non-political platform that discusses rich culture and traditions and calls for greater participation from various professionals to foster more dialogue.
CPO President Vezuhu Keyho commended Ura Academy for promoting Tenyidie and urged continued efforts. He stressed unity among the Tenyimi tribes and the need to expand the language’s vocabulary.
APO President Thejao Vihienuo highlighted that language is identity, lauded Ura Academy’s leadership, and called for simplifying Tenyidie, expanding its teaching, and promoting festivals to preserve heritage.
Meanwhile, Rev Savito Nagi, President of Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC), emphasised the need for a common Naga language, like in neighbouring states, and called for the promotion of Tenyidie at home and in places of worship.
During the programme, a choral piece was presented by the youth of Christian Revival Church, Chedema, while a special song was presented by Avinuo Metha.
The programme was led by Dr Khruvolu Keyho, Joint Secretary, Ura Academy, and began with an invocation prayer by Rev Tsolie Chase, Member, Board of Directors, Ura Academy. The vote of thanks was tendered by Dr Petekhrienuo Sorhie, Associate Professor, Department of Tenyidie, Nagaland University, and the programme concluded with a closing prayer offered by Ruokuovituo Rutsa, Catechist, Christ the King Church, Kohima.
Earlier in the morning, Ura Academy Rüpfhünuo Programme was held, with Asano Sekhose, Retd Chairperson, NBSE, and Dr Hovithal Sothu, Director, TaFMA, GoN, as speakers in the first session.
Later in the afternoon, a “Discussion on the Usage of the Tenyidie Language in Educational Institutions” was held. The panel included Dr Petekhrienuo Sorhie, Associate Professor, Dept. of Tenyidie, NU; Vizomenuo Merlyn Yhome, Assistant Professor, KSC Jotsoma; Keneingunuo Solo, Assistant Teacher, Mezhür Hr. Sec. School, Kohima; Keneilhoulie Pienyü, Assistant Teacher, Rüzhükhrie Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Kohima; and Dzüvisato Savino, Assistant Teacher, G. Rio School, Kohima. The session was moderated by Dr. Rü-ünguso Kuotsu, President, Ura Academy Rüpfhünuo Krotho, and was summed up by Kikruneinuo Liezietsu, Joint Secretary, Ura Academy.
