Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 14
In one of the biggest events organized at Chumukedima Town, a Swachh Bharat cum Inter Cultural programme was held today at Chumukedima town local ground. 23 schools and 16 Naga tribes participated in this mega event, initiated by the Tribal Union Chumukedima.
Governor of Nagaland P.B Acharya who was the chief guest for the occasion expressed happiness that the Chumukedima Town has undertaken the Swachh Bharat Mission seriously and also expressed great pleasure to see the participation of students from 23 schools. He cited that Nagaland is second to none from an educational point of view. He opined that Dimapur has become an important educational hub.
However, he stated, “We have to add skill in our education, and then only we’ll be employable. A graduate from any University should not be a job seeker but a job giver. Nagaland is blessed with many natural resources; we can become the golden Nagaland if our Universities open up their minds. To achieve this, he felt that we have to change our mindsets and there needs to be dialogue between the resources, trade, commerce, industry and education. He further highlighted the importance of unity and identity. Addressing the gathering, he stated, “Unless we are united, we cannot march ahead.”
In observance of the Swachh Bharat Mission, he inaugurated new toilets at Government Middle School Chumukedima. He also announced the Governors Award for Chumukedima Town every year for the following:
1. Best Social Worker
2. Best Entrepreneur
3. Best Student Graduate- 1 boy and 1 Girl
4. Best Swacch Bharat (Cleanliness) - 1 Boy and 1 Girl
5. Best School Result to be taken on a 3 day tour to Mumbai sponsored by Indian National Fellowship Centre, Mumbai. -1 Boy and -1 Girl Cultural troupe of various Naga tribes presented traditional dances, folk songs and indigenous games. Special song was presented by children from Galilee Home.
Chumu Town leaders for unity and cultural revival
Neisalie Losou, president of Tribal Union Chumukedima Town, also made a statement for unity of Nagas and cultural revival. He stated, “It is our hope that Nagas can be brought together though cultural exchange programmes.
Through this program of cultural exchange, we want to say that unity is the solution to our major problems and that it is possible to achieve unity. We talk much about peace and harmony but we practice it too little. Thus, isms, hatred and discrimination are on the increase in our society.”
“We all are aware that of the fact that our culture and traditions are slowly vanishing due to various reasons. If we lose our culture and traditions, we are losing our cultural identity. So we must make every effort to preserve them. This is our concern and this is what we are here for,” he stated in his welcome address.
Thungbemo Patton, EAC of Chumukedima Town in his address as guest of honour, also made a clarion call for all Nagas to change their mindsets. In an impassionate speech, he stated, “The time has come, to celebrate and respect our friends, neighbours, public leaders, church leaders, and bureaucrats.” Citing his personal opinion that Nagas have cultivated a habit to focus only on the negative ills of our society, he instead suggested that people should understand and admit that everyone has flaws but also possesses good qualities. He further stated, “Nagas are very good in speaking words and big thoughts but action and implementation of those ideas are less. It is my personal opinion that our dialogues and opinion of one another are very negative.” Addressing the students and Nagas from 16 tribes gathered at the local ground, he urged, “A change will never come in our society unless we change this mindset, so let’s take the approach in a positive way.”
He further informed that intensive and extensive Swachh Bharat Mission will take place in Chumukedima Town starting from November. To this, he announced that an award would be given to the Best and Cleanest Ward in Chumukedima Town with a cash prize of Rupees 100000 (Rupees One Lakh).
