‘Beyond Mediocrity: Reviving virtues, unleashing creativity’

Rengma Students’ Union celebrates platinum jubilee

Our Correspondent
Tseminyu | May 13

The Council of Rengma Baptist Churches (CRBC) Youth Secretary Jonathan Mesen today stressed on the need to revive virtues “If we earnestly desire to thrive and flourish”

These virtues will guide our minds to breed and foster creativity, he said while speaking as theme speaker at the platinum jubilee-cum-41st general conference of Rengma Students’ Union (RSU) at Tseminyu.

Without virtues, what we count as progress and development is but cheap decoration on our tombstones, he said, adding that “we need to embrace, treasure, and adore Christian virtues.”

Our sense of right and wrong, good and bad, is dying away; we are beginning to embrace convenient individual moral relativism, he said adding, “We cannot do away with Christian virtues and thrive as a society.”

Noting that the comments and interactions on platforms like WhatsApp groups and Facebook are the opposite of the Christian virtue of love; he maintained that ‘we are not patient, we are rude; in fact, one undeniable and ugly truth is that we don't respect each other.’

“Everyone considers themselves better than others, and it seems to me like everyone considers themselves a leader.

We elect or choose our leaders, and instead of allowing them to lead us with their God-given wisdom, we want to lead them. I contend that unless we embody humility and respect, we will decay where we are.”

Mesen further maintained that embracing Christian virtues would “not allow us to stay mediocre; it will train and transform us, coach and crown us, and bring out the best in us. It will make us model citizens.”

Stating that no one will gladly wear the tag of a mediocre in the competitive world unless it has become “the way of life” for a community, he emphasised on the need to progress and move beyond mediocrity.

 “Such a society will not only unleash creativity but will refine the minds of its citizen to foster and appreciate creativity,” he said.

Immense contribution for cause of Nagas
Nagaland’s PWD (Housing & Mechanical) minister Tongpang Ozukum stated that the Rengma community, as a proud Naga tribe have contributed immensely for the cause of the Nagas right from the formation of Naga Club in 1918.

In his message read out by Chief Information Commissioner I Meyionen Jamir as the former could not make it to the programme, Ozukum stated that Rengmas are also amongst the signatories of the Memorandum submitted to Simon Commission in 1929, Rengmas are one of the representatives of Akbar Hadari 9-points Agreement signed in 1947 and also a signatory of the 16-Point Agreement in 1961.

“There are also many other areas where the Rengma community have contributed equally like other Naga tribes which is well documented in the Naga history. The sacrifices you have made in shaping Nagaland and the Naga society as a whole is becoming more evident day by day and therefore I have a strong feeling that a new era has already begun for Rengma people to shoulder bigger responsibilities for your district and your people and also for the betterment of Naga society at large,” Ozukum stated.

Stating that jubilee is not only a time of celebration and thanksgiving, but it is also a time for introspection and retrospection, Ozukum asked RSU to identify the achievements and draw backs if any during this 75 years and step forward with new objectives and determination that “will lead us to the path of success and prosperity.”

Jubilee is also a time of forgiveness and reconciliation which according to the Bible is the ultimate foundation for transformation, healing, oneness and reunion, he said and asked RSU to take maximum advantage of this Jubilee and celebrate according to God’s will.

 Nagas are all very serious about jubilee
Meanwhile, I Meyionen Jamir on his personal note said that Nagas are all very serious about Jubilee and “If jubilees end up in celebration only, then that is only wastage of time, energy and resources.”

He viewed that jubilee should be a time for introspection and must address issues that are confronting the society today and at the same time, assess the situation and find solutions for tomorrow.

He stated that Nagaland have 85,000 educated unemployed youth out of which 30,162 people are graduate and above. “Every year new graduates keep coming. If all those 85,000 are to seek government service, there is no solution,” he said.

If whatever education we have received from schools and colleges are meant for a government job, then we have a defective education system, he maintained.

“We have acquired only book knowledge but we were never taught any life skills and now after your graduation, you have nowhere to go,” he said.

Stating that the state government has banned appointment against retirement vacancies since March 2020 except certain posts in few departments, he said “Instead of creating more posts and employment opportunities, government will rather phase out many unwanted posts in order to cut down expenditures on salaries and pension.”

“We talk a lot about NSSB/NPSC to get employment in government sector. But if posts are not created or filled up corresponding to the number of educated youth that the state produces, where is your future?” he said.

He suggested RSU to conduct Career Counseling at the level of Class IX & X and encouraged the students to take up vocational courses.

Jamir said that Nagaland is a land of opportunities for other people coming from outside the state whereas our people have become lazy and do not want to work anymore. “We always look for easy money and shortcuts. But let us not forget that hard work is the only key to success,” he said.

He also said that only those who are good in studies should be encouraged to pursue higher studies, citing that in America, only few students pursue higher studies.

After high school they pursue various other courses in which they are good at or have talent, like music, art, construction work etc. Let us learn lessons from the education system of these advanced countries, he said.

Stating that there are three types of people in the world-“People who make things happen, people who watch things happen and people who wonder what happened,” Jamir said “Let us not waste time watching what is happening around us, let us not waste time wondering as to what has happened but let us be people who make things happen, then only we will be successful in life.”

‘Let us not waste time squabbling over tribal issues’
In solidarity message, Angami Students’ Union (ASU) president Bisevi Nakhro complimented RSU for attaining 75 glorious years.

“Even in the midst of all the difficulties and restrictions placed by different things, the RSU had stood unwaveringly working tirelessly with great zeal in different capacities using whatever means to promote cooperation, unity and encourage the student community,” he said.

Extending its support and solidarity with RSU, he said “As we work for a better Naga society, let us not waste time squabbling over tribal issues, denominational issues, egoistic and leadership issues. Instead let us make time to support one another and work hand in hand for the creation of a Naga society filled with hope and determination, all for God's greater Glory.”

He was optimistic that RSU would continue to strive for excellence, nurturing the student community to become ideal citizens.

‘Eliminate elements which are against the social and economic progress’
RSU president Heiko Kent said that 75 years ago, visionary leaders from across the Rengma homeland came together with the vision to secure a future for Rengma people and thus RSU was formed on October, 1947 under the leadership of Late David Kent and Late Riga Thong as its first President and General Secretary.

“Ever since, RSU has remained one of the vital pillars in the difficult yet historic journey of the Rengma Nagas,” he said.

RSU paid its homage to the pioneers and visionary elders who have laid the very foundation “for us to remain under the banner of the Rengma Students' Union and upon whose legacy we now stand today.”

He declared that RSU would continue to honour their contributions.

He said that the future of Rengma people depends upon the mindset and the attitude of the youth, the younger generation, “and without our active participation and involvement, our society will never progress.”

If we wish to progress as a people, we must forge ahead collectively with a sense of purpose and direction, with each one of us taking equal responsibility in contributing towards our common future, Kent said.

On attainment of 75 years, he said it is important that “we as a people continue building lasting relationships amongst ourselves, with all our neighbours and in portraying the positive traits of our people to the rest of the Nagas and the outside world. Let us strive towards excellence while also contributing and taking active participation in bringing about positive changes in wherever our society is in need.”

He also stressed on the need to endeavour to protect and preserve “all that we have in our culture and in our land while also sparing no efforts to eliminate those elements and practices which are against the social and economic progress of our people. Let us continue to grow from strength to strength in our rich heritage, in the sense of community feeling and in the feeling of ‘oneness’ which once bound our ancestors and our people together as Rengma Nagas.”

Phenpiga Rengma, chairperson, Sports & youth resources, KAADC also spoke at the programme and challenged the Rengma people to work together for a better future.

The platinum jubilee programme was followed by jubilee feast, cultural session with Dr Benny Prasad, missionary and world record holder, Bengaluru as the special guest and panel discussion on “Vision & roadmap of Tseminyu Model district.”

Meanwhile, the 41st general conference of RSU will take place on May 14 with Nagaland’s Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and Women Resources Development Advisor R Khing as the special guest.