Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 30
Padmashree awardee and a member of the first ever Nagaland Legislative Assembly, M Vero today replied to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s congratulating him yesterday by saying thank you very much. All praises for Rio, the former two-time MLA, two-time Parliamentarian and two-time President of the Naga Hoho said, “People like Rio for his charisma. He’s an honest man.” Asked to comment on the present barrage of criticism being faced by the Naga Hoho, Vero said since the new team was only recently instituted, one should not expect significant results overnight.
Recounting the chapters of his life, the graying gentleman, in a téte-a- téte with The Morung Express said that in 1960 he ‘retired’ from college life after a period of four years to enter the political arena. Passionate about his gardening skills, Vero makes it a point to visit his garden every morning. Mustard leaves and Christ thorn flowers, besides a host of other plants live harmoniously together in his garden. The wife insisted on the flowers, Vero confides.
Into retirement, the Mr and the Mrs are proud of their children’s achievements. The Padmashree awardee is especially proud of his son’s achievements as a painter. For his daughter, he has this to say: “She is married to a very handsome man and they have beautiful children.”
He shares the view that the younger generation is more adept and skilled because of new avenues. “They are brainy people,” he says. An elderly word of advice was also rendered: “Drink but don’t get drunk.”
“During our days, even if we got drunk, we never got into fights unlike the present generation.” Vero himself relishes his drink. His evening routine includes sipping his drink in his garden while watching the Dhansiri River drift by, settle down for dinner and then watch TV before retiring to sleep.
