Parliamentary secretary Torechu, Deputy Commissioner Kiphire, Kesonyu Yhome and others during the official declaration-cum-celebration of re-christening of Chomi Village as ‘Phuvkiu’ village under Kiphire district. (Morung Photo)
Torechu appeals to ‘Phuvkiu’ villagers to revive positive traits of forefathers
Ashikho Pfuzhe
Pungro | June 18
Chomi village, one of the largest and oldest Yimchungrü villages under Kiphire district has been re-christened as ‘Phuvkiu’ village, after approval of Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Nagaland Government.
The official declaration-cum-celebration of re-christening of the village was held at the village ground with parliamentary secretary for Excise, Economics & Statistics and LM&CP, T Torechu, as the chief guest. After unveiling the plaque of the re-christened ‘Phuvkiu’ village, the parliamentary secretary in his address congratulated Phuvkiu villagers for re-adopting the old Yimchungrü name, which would also remind the villagers of their past history and sojourns before finally settling in the present village. Torechu however said change of name of the village would mean little if the villagers too do not change and transform themselves to be better people. Dwelling on the positive traits and tradition of Naga forefathers, he said in the ancient days, crimes like theft were unknown to Naga society and villagers go to the fields without locking their houses or granary.
Except for headhunting, petty crimes in the villages were rare and there was no need of policemen to keep surveillance, he said. “But with advent of Christianity and modernity, we now need the police to rein in petty crime”, Torechu said and added that Nagas should revive and practice the positive traits of their forefathers. He said that Phuvkiu village, being a father-village of other villages in Pungro sub-division, should lead the way in fostering healthy relationship with neighbouring villages. “It is you (Phuvkiu villagers) who should first forget and forego past rancour and conflicts, forgive past mistakes and extend the hand of friendship to neighbouring villages and other tribes. Then along with change of village name, God will shower abundant blessings to your village”, he said.
Deputy Commissioner Kiphire, Kesonyu Yhome, who also spoke on the occasion acknowledged the collective wisdom of Phuvkiu villagers for re-christening the village, which would also serve as reminder of the positive traits and customs followed by Naga forefathers. With revival of ancient name of the village, the DC urged the villagers to revive the good practices of the forefathers.
Yimchungrü Tribal Council president, Thesong, president of GB’s Union Pungro Sub-Division, Musumong, president of Public Forum Pungro Sub-Division, Kisumew and former Phuvkiu village council chairman, P Cheusu, also addressed the gathering. Among others, ADC Pungro, Tainiu and district and sub-divisional officer, village council chairmen of neighbouring villages attended the programme which concluded with a celebratory feast.
According to villagers, Phuvkiu village was established some six generations ago and ‘Phuvkiu’ is derived from the name of a fruit bearing tree locally known as ‘Phuvsitiu.’ During 1952-54, the name of the village was erroneously entered in government records as ‘Chomi.’ After much attempts to change the village name to its original, Government of India gave approval on May 3, 2013, and subsequently Nagaland Government also approved change of name from Chomi to Phuvkiu village on June 3, 2013.
