Former Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS (retired) speaking during the introductory session of the All Nagaland College Students Union (ANCSU) collegiate meet held at Livingstone Higher Secondary School, Dimapur on October 29. (Morung Photo).
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 29
Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS (retired) remarked that Naga society today is faced with several ailments which has been impeding progress and development. In Nagaland we know that the living standards of the people are very poor. Some are in abject poverty, the quality of life especially in the villages is very low, he opined.
This can be attributed to a wide variety of causes including corruption in governance brought on by materialism, poor infrastructure, tribalism, lack of hard work among others, he said.
The former Chief Secretary of Nagaland made the comments during the introductory session of the All Nagaland College Students Union (ANCSU) collegiate meet held at Livingstone Higher Secondary School, Dimapur on October 29.
Basing his speech on the theme, “Enabling potentialities” Jamir mentioned that materialism is pervasive across the government. “Corruption rules the day,” he said while going on to state that, “We have elections but it is only about selection of the richest.”
Meanwhile tribalism has splintered the Naga people into different groups or sub-groups. In this relation, “Why are the Eastern Naga colleges not here? he questioned to the gathering.
On the Naga insurgency issue as well, he noted that now there were about 24 factions in total whose sole purpose is to extort and illegally tax the citizens. The concepts of sovereignty, nationalism and independence are outdated ideas, Jamir viewed. Now people are more concerned about freedom and human rights, recognition of indigenous identity and inter-dependence, he said.
Delving on economic issues, Jamir noted that the State has vast swathes of natural wealth which can and should be harnessed. Nagaland has the potential to be an educational destination not just for students within the country but from South-East Asia as well, he said.
For industrial development as well, he claimed that in order to attract investment “we have to review our land tenure system.” “Maybe we should amend Article 371 (A),” he commented.
Stating that all these require a reinvention of ideas and be courageous, Jamir encouraged the students to learn, relearn and unlearn issues keeping in mind their place as future leaders and policy makers. Furthermore the youths require a change of perspectives, inculcate hard work and dignity of labour, he noted.
The five-day long inter-college meet had in participation a total of 31 colleges and 663 delegates affiliated with ANCSU.
Along with Jamir, Hokta Hotozhe Sema, bronze medalist at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 was the honoured guest for the event.
The welcome address was delivered by L Achilo Kikon, assistant professor, Department of Political Science, Living Stone Foundation International College. Speeches were also delivered by H Kivika Achumi, Vice President, ANCSU and Wapang, Head GB of Kevijau Colony, Dimapur.
