Minister Azo and others at the valedictory function on Friday, April 29. (Morung Photo)
Pfutsero | April 30 : Minister for health and family welfare Kuzholuzo Nienu today asserted that in the fast changing world, “we need to equip ourselves with the forces that are confronting us, for the realities of today will become history tomorrow.” Addressing the valedictory function of the 24th General Conference of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) here this evening, the minister stressed on the need to practice positive tribalism today in order to combat the modern evil of individualism.
“Let me define individualism this way, in my naïve understanding; it is that which asks this question whenever there is a mention of work- “What is there for me?” if one half of the modern Naga generation suffers from uncritical loyalty to their tribes, the second half suffers from extreme loyalty to their selves, which is individualism,” the minister said. He stated that individualists are opportunists and do not know their tribal identity until they are in some trouble or there is some incentive announced for their tribe. “This the new enemy of our tribal identity,” he said adding that he was convinced that only the right spirit of tribalism can effectively tackle this new enemy which has come to stay in the society.
The minister also stated that the government has to harness the forces of positive tribalism, to achieve greater welfare and developmental objectives. The larger Naga society needs it to forge a more cohesive and vibrant system of coexistence and interdependence. “For all this to be possible we need to start thinking –out-of-box, to truly reach out to others, to break out from the limiting factors of negative tribalism and learn to listen when others cry out to us, to free ourselves from all negative elements that is keeping us from realizing higher virtues and values,” the minister said. The minister also stressed on the need to ask deep within ourselves “if we really truly want to reach out to others.”
Touching on health issue and quoted “Health is wealth,” the minister said “Without wealth, life becomes a struggle. Without wealth, life is often deprived of dignity and identity. Without wealth, certain dreams are difficult to pursue.” But even with wealth, the minister said, if one does not enjoy good health life would remain a struggle. But with sound health, we can appreciate the gift of life and the beauty that adorns it. We can strive to accumulate wealth for our use and enjoyment of abundant life, Nienu said adding “ But even more importantly, with good health , our works become enjoyable. We see work as a gift to build up our society and for the fulfillment of our life. As such, the importance of health cannot be overstated. It is not an exaggeration to say that health is the key to and purpose of wealth.”
Touching on HIV & AIDS, the minister said he was pleased to see that the HIV/AIDS prevalence in the state is showing a declining trend over the last seven years as per the Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) data. He, however said that there is growing concern because there is increase in transmission through the sexual route. As per the ICTC data of 2010-11, 15% of HIV positive cases belong to age groups of 15-24 years and 45% between the ages of 25-34 years. The minister said young people should know how to protect themselves from, be more careful and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. “For if we allow this dreaded diseases to spread unabated, it can easily wipe out the entire population of Nagaland with hardly 1.9 million persons which will be of little concern to other people,” the minister said.
Parliamentary secretary for social welfare and women development Chotisuh Sazo, Deputy Speaker Ralangthang, State Planning Board deputy chairman Neiba Kronu including several other dignitaries also present at the valedictory function. The conference also collected free will donation towards the welfare of the brothers and sisters of the Eastern Naga students. The valedictory function was chaired by V.Phushika Aomi while vote of thanks was tendered by Ketsodi, tribunal NSF.
“Let me define individualism this way, in my naïve understanding; it is that which asks this question whenever there is a mention of work- “What is there for me?” if one half of the modern Naga generation suffers from uncritical loyalty to their tribes, the second half suffers from extreme loyalty to their selves, which is individualism,” the minister said. He stated that individualists are opportunists and do not know their tribal identity until they are in some trouble or there is some incentive announced for their tribe. “This the new enemy of our tribal identity,” he said adding that he was convinced that only the right spirit of tribalism can effectively tackle this new enemy which has come to stay in the society.
The minister also stated that the government has to harness the forces of positive tribalism, to achieve greater welfare and developmental objectives. The larger Naga society needs it to forge a more cohesive and vibrant system of coexistence and interdependence. “For all this to be possible we need to start thinking –out-of-box, to truly reach out to others, to break out from the limiting factors of negative tribalism and learn to listen when others cry out to us, to free ourselves from all negative elements that is keeping us from realizing higher virtues and values,” the minister said. The minister also stressed on the need to ask deep within ourselves “if we really truly want to reach out to others.”
Touching on health issue and quoted “Health is wealth,” the minister said “Without wealth, life becomes a struggle. Without wealth, life is often deprived of dignity and identity. Without wealth, certain dreams are difficult to pursue.” But even with wealth, the minister said, if one does not enjoy good health life would remain a struggle. But with sound health, we can appreciate the gift of life and the beauty that adorns it. We can strive to accumulate wealth for our use and enjoyment of abundant life, Nienu said adding “ But even more importantly, with good health , our works become enjoyable. We see work as a gift to build up our society and for the fulfillment of our life. As such, the importance of health cannot be overstated. It is not an exaggeration to say that health is the key to and purpose of wealth.”
Touching on HIV & AIDS, the minister said he was pleased to see that the HIV/AIDS prevalence in the state is showing a declining trend over the last seven years as per the Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) data. He, however said that there is growing concern because there is increase in transmission through the sexual route. As per the ICTC data of 2010-11, 15% of HIV positive cases belong to age groups of 15-24 years and 45% between the ages of 25-34 years. The minister said young people should know how to protect themselves from, be more careful and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. “For if we allow this dreaded diseases to spread unabated, it can easily wipe out the entire population of Nagaland with hardly 1.9 million persons which will be of little concern to other people,” the minister said.
Parliamentary secretary for social welfare and women development Chotisuh Sazo, Deputy Speaker Ralangthang, State Planning Board deputy chairman Neiba Kronu including several other dignitaries also present at the valedictory function. The conference also collected free will donation towards the welfare of the brothers and sisters of the Eastern Naga students. The valedictory function was chaired by V.Phushika Aomi while vote of thanks was tendered by Ketsodi, tribunal NSF.
NSF urged to pursue issue of climatic change aggressively
Referring to ecological balance, the minister opined that every educated person should have concern and ponder upon such issues because leadership and education are nullified if one fails to posses any vision and concern for the society. Vision no matter how noble or great is meaningless if our future itself is bleak, the minister said and at the same time asserted that we no longer need an environmental scientist to tell us that destruction of forest affects climate change or that killing of certain species of animal affect food chain.
He stated that climate change is the emerging as the most serious threat to sustainable development, with adverse impacts expected on the food security, natural resources, environment, economic activities, human health and physical infrastructure.
While precise direction, timing and magnitude of climate changes still remain uncertain, studies forecast that climate change would adversely affect many eco systems particularly the terrestrial forest eco-systems and rural livelihoods in the highly bio diverse but fragile mountain ecosystem of north eastern region of India.
Citing example of climatic change which is directly been seen by the people of the state, he pointed out that till 1980s’ frost covered the whole Pfutsero town during winter which was rarely seen now. On the other hand, he also pointed out that Khuva river, a tributary of Dhansari river almost dried up in 2008 & 09 while monsoon was abnormally late and created a drought like situation all over the state in 2010.
While citing the report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change on environment which predicted that an estimated that by 2015, the sea level of the Bay of Bengal will raise by 6 inches which would displace 24 million people from Bangladesh alone, he warned that there would be heavy migration towards the NE India for which he urged the people of the state to be prepared to face the onslaught of the climate change refugees. In this regard he reminded the need for the people to wake up to face the challenge through hard work by doing even those manual works which otherwise is an anathema for the Nagas or be crushed by the migrants.
He also congratulated the recent movement to protect the environment and bio-diversity spearheaded by the people from Tuensang and Mon area under the aegis of Eastern Nagaland Conservation Area Network which had covered a total 133 villages so far. “With such commitment being initiated at villages and tribal levels,” one day the Naga villages and tribes will adopt certain policies to protect and safeguard the environment and bio-diversity, he added.
We all must realise that the gift of nature is not our personnel property; we are only caretakers who are also allowed to enjoy it. We do not have the right to abuse or exploit it indiscriminately, he said and request the NSF to take up the issue on climate change aggressively.
He stated that climate change is the emerging as the most serious threat to sustainable development, with adverse impacts expected on the food security, natural resources, environment, economic activities, human health and physical infrastructure.
While precise direction, timing and magnitude of climate changes still remain uncertain, studies forecast that climate change would adversely affect many eco systems particularly the terrestrial forest eco-systems and rural livelihoods in the highly bio diverse but fragile mountain ecosystem of north eastern region of India.
Citing example of climatic change which is directly been seen by the people of the state, he pointed out that till 1980s’ frost covered the whole Pfutsero town during winter which was rarely seen now. On the other hand, he also pointed out that Khuva river, a tributary of Dhansari river almost dried up in 2008 & 09 while monsoon was abnormally late and created a drought like situation all over the state in 2010.
While citing the report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change on environment which predicted that an estimated that by 2015, the sea level of the Bay of Bengal will raise by 6 inches which would displace 24 million people from Bangladesh alone, he warned that there would be heavy migration towards the NE India for which he urged the people of the state to be prepared to face the onslaught of the climate change refugees. In this regard he reminded the need for the people to wake up to face the challenge through hard work by doing even those manual works which otherwise is an anathema for the Nagas or be crushed by the migrants.
He also congratulated the recent movement to protect the environment and bio-diversity spearheaded by the people from Tuensang and Mon area under the aegis of Eastern Nagaland Conservation Area Network which had covered a total 133 villages so far. “With such commitment being initiated at villages and tribal levels,” one day the Naga villages and tribes will adopt certain policies to protect and safeguard the environment and bio-diversity, he added.
We all must realise that the gift of nature is not our personnel property; we are only caretakers who are also allowed to enjoy it. We do not have the right to abuse or exploit it indiscriminately, he said and request the NSF to take up the issue on climate change aggressively.
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