Womenfolk of Aoyimti performing a folk tune at the village’s 75th founding anniversary at the village playground on January 7. (Morung Photo)
A time to introspect, contemplate and set the path for the future
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 7
Aoyimti village, in Dimapur district, has turned 75. Regarded as a pensioner’s paradise, it is also the first Ao village in the Dhansiri river plains of Nagaland. According to the Aoyimti Village Council, the formation of the village was pioneered by 3 individuals— Noklentemjen Walling, Yongkongmayang Walling and Takameren Longchar.
In the initial years, the village was said to have had 30 odd families, to go on to become 3000-plus strong households.
Remembering the contributions of the pioneers, the villagers commemorated the milestone platinum jubilee on January 7 under the theme— Nükrangdong (Cynosure). A host of dignitaries, including guests from the neighbouring villages, also joined in the celebration.
The theme speaker was I Toshitsungba Aier, retired IPS officer, and also a President’s Police Medal awardee. “Roughly three generations of people have lived here and I am standing here today because of the pioneers of the village,” said Aier.
According to him, besides the festivity, jubilees are a time to introspect on the past, contemplating the present to set the path for the future. “Jubilee is for introspection. What have we achieved in the past 75 years? How did we live?” he posed, while adding that the burdens of the present should be left for the coming generation.
As implied by the jubilee theme, he said that people’s perception of an institution, be it a family or a village, are shaped by the values and principles projected as well as practiced. He said that there was a time when the Ao as a community served as social exemplars and on that note, he asked, “Is Aoyimti a cynosure.”
As noted by observers, he recalled that honesty, simplicity and hardwork were the hallmark of the Nagas of old. “Do we have these qualities today?”
“We were also known as head-hunters. But today, this has transformed to being known as money hunters,” he added referring to the several extra-constitutional parallel governments in existence today in Nagaland.
According to him, the now generation must work towards building a society conducive to the growth and development of “our children and their children.”
Other prominent dignitaries, who were present at the programme, included former Minister, SI Jamir; Advisor, Dr Longriniken and the President of the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Meren Nokpu.
State Assembly Speaker, Sharingain Longkumer and Dimapur Deputy Commissioner, Rajesh Soundararajan who were also scheduled to attend the programme could not, owing to unavoidable reasons. Jubilee messages from them were read out to the gathering.
