Peren, December 16 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang called for unity and reconciliation amongst the Naga brethren so as to march ahead forward with the rest of the country and the world, informed a press release issued by Media Cell, Chief Minister’s Office.
Lamenting that the Naga society is fragmented into various political groups and factions as well as numerous tribal hohos, Zeliang said the “need of the hour is for the Naga brethren to shed our differences, come together as family members and progress together with the rest of the country and the world.”
Addressing the Golden Jubilee celebration of Mhainamtsi village near Jalukie town in Peren district this morning, Zeliang said Mhainamtsi village, founded in 1966 by various Zeliangrong communities from Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, could very well be “a role model for other Nagas to emulate if the village can continue to maintain its cohesiveness and peaceful and harmonious coexistence of the Zemes, Liangmais and the Rongmais.”
“The idea behind founding of Mhainamtsi village was to bring together Zeliangrongs from various part of the region and that idea is most remarkable. And now, it is the bounden duty of those living today to endeavour to fulfil the dream of the founders and uphold their plan to bring the people together,” Zeliang exhorted and went on to call upon the Naga people to endeavour to reconcile, forget the petty differences and forge together as on for the mutual benefit of all.
He cited the example of Zeliangrong Union and the Zeliangrong Baudi which have decided to amalgamate under on nomenclature saying “this is a positive step forward for unity.”
Zeliang also called upon the villagers to have proper planning and understanding of what they want the village to become in another decade or so and pointed out that the State too, had brought out Vision Document 2030 at the valedictory function of the Hornbill Festival on December 10.
He urged the villagers to form Self Help Groups and to go for collective farming for sustainable economy of the village such as piggery, poultry, fishery and vegetable cultivation.
“Sustainable development is the key to success today and we should start in a small way from now onwards if we are to enrich our villagers. We cannot possibly depend on the Government to provide employment and revenue-generating avenues to all our people,” the Chief Minister said.
“If you can strengthen the established Self Help Groups, be it women, youth or men groups, other schemes under the VDBs such as MNREGA can be injected into your systems as introduced by the World Bank through Northeast Rural Livelihood Programme (NERLP),” he said.
Earlier, Home Minister Nagaland, Y. Patton greeted the villagers. VCC Mhainamtsi Village, Miucham, Secretary RD, Kelei Zeliang IAS, Secretary Horticulture, Alan Gonmei IAS and Lamhai Village GB Amezi also spoke on the occasion. Rev. HM Gonmei dedicated the Jubilee monolith. Vote of thanks was pronounced by Ikulung Ilunglung. The theme of the Jubilee was ‘Triumphant in Unity.’
