Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, is seen receiving a memento at the 66th General Conference of Ao Kaketshir Mungdang at Chuchuyimpang Village on January 15. Rio was the Chief Guest for the occasion.
Chuchuyimpang | January 15
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said today that Nagas were introduced to the global scenario through global conflict in World War II. While the Naga forefathers struggled to safeguard “our culture and identity,” Rio asserted that Naga people today, due to their own selfishness, do not realize what the Naga leaders had started.
Rio was speaking at the 66th General Conference of the Ao Kaketshir Telongjem (AKM) being held January 14-16 here, attended by over 3000 delegates.
He said that the current issues being faced by Nagaland should also be discussed by the students and the public, apart from the government. While pointing out that Nagaland State is facing a number of challenges currently, including financial constraints, he stressed that even after 50 years, that State is not being able to extract resources on its own. Rio said it is the DAN government that is attempting to safeguard Naga rights, especially through bringing under its control the Rules of Executive Business. In the step motherly attitude meted out to the Nagaland State by the Centre is also the fact that there are no central or regional institutions in Nagaland though some of the smaller neighbouring states have such institutions. Rio emphasized the need to think and act upon the flaws in the implementation of Article 371-A, and pointed out the need for more deliberation among the people, especially students.
The Chief Minister applauded the Ao community for pioneering work in many fields, especially in education as well as establishing newspapers. Helping students with education has also been taken up by the AKM through coaching classes and setting up of libraries. He also commended the community for taking up conservation drives in many villages. Apart from development, we should also talk about conservation, he said. The efforts towards the conservation of the Amur Falcon, for instance, said Rio, has accomplished the task of bringing positive news from Nagaland to India and the world for the first time. Students, he said, should be a part of this sustainable work.
Rio also acknowledged the efforts of the AKM through its ‘Survival Mokokchung’ campaign, which exemplifies how local people can take up professional work at all levels independently. This should encourage students in other districts as well, he said. While deliberating on ‘Work culture’, he stated “unless we have work culture we are going to suffer.” “This is a world of competition; unless you are computer literate, you are handicapped,” stated the Chief Minister while talking about work culture. He additionally expressed that every position/privilege carries a responsibility, and it is against religion if we do not perform our assigned duty.
Rio stated that “Chakhesang tribes are the most progressive tribe in our state” because they are hardworking and focused. He exhorted the student’s gathering to be hardworking like the Chakhesangs. Furthermore, Rio, referring to the Right to Education Act (RTE), stated that the no detention policy under the RTE will compromise quality education. He said that education should be taken seriously; a compromised education is very dangerous in a competitive world. “You will become mediocre because this is a world of competition and compromised education may not be helpful.”
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Alemtemshi urges Nagas
to “realize what we are”
to “realize what we are”
Defining vision as “something concrete, based on present reality, which we will see happen,” Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir delegates at the 66th General Conference of the AKM to “realize what we are, who we are and what we can do.”
Distinguishing vision from day-dreaming, he said that the Nagaland state government’s conceptual thinking on this ‘vision’ is going on. Without specifying, the Chief Secretary was implicitly referring to the vision of, in his own words, the “Foot Hills Super Highway, railway, linear cities and urbanization;” a ‘vision’ he has been stressing on many platforms lately.
He also delved into the unemployment issue and suggested farming as a viable way out for Nagaland’s economic development. Observing that land is not a problem in Nagaland, Alemtemshi said that “unemployment in Nagaland is a myth.” Stating that this is the age of precision farming, he encouraged educated youths to engage in farming. He added that there is “enough land, enough technology, enough market provided we have a vision.”
He further encouraged students to use technology for good. “Violence may emerge over one small comment or one single picture but violence is never good,” he added, while advising the students to “filter” information received via various modes of information technology.
Citing the Mukalimi incident, the Karbi-Rengma issue and the ACAUT movement, he stated that the impact of technology has been felt in Nagaland’s socio-political areas. He left it to the audience to wisely make use of such avenues.
The Chief Secretary also confirmed speculation about his retirement by declaring that his retirement papers have been submitted to the government. He disclosed that he is due to retire in January, 2015. He did not disclose the reason for his early retirement but he did say that he wanted to “serve the people, God willing.”
