The Morung Express awarded Excellence Award 2006
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 25
The Network of Nagaland Drugs and AIDS Organisations (N Naga DAO) held its 4th annual conference in Tuensang under the theme, ‘Re-enforcing Networking’ from February 24 to the 25th. Delegates from 32 member NGOs numbering 110 attended the conference which was hosted by Eleuthorus Christian Society and the Churches Alliance. Gary Lewis, Representative, UNODC ROSA graced the function as the chief guest. He was accompanied by Dr. Joyce Angami, Project Officer, UNODC.
Chingmak Kejong, Executive Secretary of Council of Chang Baptist Churches Association, in his keynote address stated, “many in India say networks don’t work… but N Naga DAO has challenged that notion…. we have crossed ‘the pseudo team’ stage to a ‘potential team.’” The Deputy Commissioner of Tuensang district, Abhijit Sinha, exhorting the delegates, stated that N Naga DAO can share their experience of networking with the rest of the country.
Gary Lewis spoke of the challenges posed by the epidemic of drug abuse and HIV which threatens to rip apart the friable social fabric. He also cautioned the NGOs of the disastrous effects of Amphetamine Type Substances (ATS). He stressed on primary prevention and appreciated the strong community solidarity of Nagaland and emphasized on networking of public-private partnership.
Lewis also presented the N Naga DAO Excellence Award 2006 to The Morung Express newspaper in recognition of its wide coverage on Substance abuse and HIV/AIDS. An annual magazine of N Naga DAO ‘The Challenge 2006” was also realeased. WC Humtsoe, the chairman of the Network in his welcome address, recalled how N Naga DAO started 7 years ago with an inspiration to strengthen collective effort to combat the twin pandemic of substance abuse and HIV/AIDS.
The day ended with a colorful cultural show performed by the people of Tuensang.
