Amid rapid change, Minister calls for sustaining Naga heritage

Morung Express News
Pimla | January 10

Minister for Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Jacob Zhimomi urged the students to preserve and sustain the cultures and traditions of the Sumi and the Nagas in general.

Speaking as the chief guest of the 42nd biennial conference of the Aqahuto Area Students’ Union (AASU) held at Pimla Village on January 10, Zhimomi lamented that many youngsters cannot speak fluent Sumi dialect.

“We can understand the words the younger generation are saying but it is not fluent or in a polished manner,” Zhimomi asserted while encouraging the students to speak fluent Sumi.

It is equally important to stay rooted in our age-old culture and rich heritage that define who we are as a people, he said. 

“It doesn't matter if we are rich and live lavishly, the first thing outsiders will ask us is where we come from and what our practices, identity and culture are,” he maintained.

Stating that traditions must be preserved and continued throughout generations, he commanded the organisers for organising traditional competitions, adding that it was the need of the hour for the student community.

He also said that it was happy to be in the midst of young bright minds who are knocking on the door of greatness. “In this rapidly evolving world, the key to survival is adapting - with a keen eye for learning,” the minister stated.

The president of Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO), Medochüzo Medoze, in his greetings message, asserted that the event is a reminder of the bond of the Chakhroma people shared with the Western Sumi community.

“Though we have had our differences in the past, it is through the efforts of some of our visionary leaders who felt the need to reconcile our past and work together to secure the future of our people,” Medoze asserted.

Stating that the elders have laid a strong foundation, he said that it is upon us that we must continue to build a future of peace, understanding and collective progress.

At the same time, he said that the CYO reaffirmed its unwavering support for the unity and cooperation between the Chakhroma Public Organisation and the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH).

He maintained that the CYO committed themselves to being ambassadors of peace and unity, ensuring the bond grows stronger.

Encouraging the students of AASU, Medoze called upon the students to believe in themselves- to dream boldly and work on oneself while walking with discipline at the same time. 

The programme was marked by traditional competitions which included War Cry (Itsa Kuxu), Fire Making (Amikukla) and Atüna Kupu (Couple Traditional Show).

Earlier, the president of AASU, N Sumika Swu, in his presidential address, highlighted the needs and the problems faced by the students. The invocation was led by Inato Paul Chophy, Pastor, Vihuto Village Baptist Church while the special song was presented by Jubika Zhimomi. Thighale was performed by the women cultural troupe of Pimla Village Sumi Totimi Loka while the benediction was led by Tokheli Muru, Pastor.