Longrangty Longchar
Tuensang | July 30
More than seven thousand people from all walks of life braved inclement weather to celebrate the premiere festival of the Chang, ‘Naknyulüm’ and also the second State Road Show in Tuensang. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who was to be the chief guest at the inaugural programme, could not make it to the festival due to bad weather following which his flight was cancelled this morning.
Nevertheless, Minister for Soil & Water Conservation, P Longon graced the function as the chief guest while MLA Kejong Chang was the guest of honor. Various departments in the state, and also members from Self Help Groups set up forty four stalls in the venue which were open to public for viewing. Inquisitive citizens, plodding through muddy ground were enlightened by the officials on the working, achievements, plans and objectives of the departments. Even a shower failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the citizens who turned out in huge numbers and thronged the grounds.
Earlier in the formal programme which was held at the Tuensang Town Hall, P Longon asserted that the present DAN Government is working tirelessly for the welfare of the people and the state. Longon challenged the people not to think of the present government like ‘previous governments.’ Soliciting the cooperation and support of the people, Longon said that the present government is trying its best to bring about changes in the society.
Speaking on the second road show, Longon said the ‘real meaning’ of the road show is to highlight and promote tribal festivals and cultures of the Naga people. He also claimed it to be to ‘restore transparency in the affairs of the government’ by bringing all the stakeholders together to boost and stimulate development in the state.
Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner, Alemtemshi Jamir, who delivered the keynote address at the inaugural, said holding the road show simultaneously with Naknyulüm festival is very appropriate for the reason that Naknyulüm signifies the “defeat of darkness.” It is similar with the aim of the road show which is to dispel ‘darkness and backwardness’ from the Tuensang area, Jamir theorized. He said the road show aimed to make government officials ‘come to the areas and see the condition of the people living in the districts.’ He also informed that on August 5, a seminar on Tuensang and Mon will be held in Kohima which will be attended by ministers and MLAs, tribal leaders, bureaucrats and others. Resource persons will come from Delhi. The seminar will dwell on how best to develop the Tuensang and Mon areas. A similar seminar was also held in 2001, Jamir informed.
Talking about development in the state, Alemtemshi Jamir said that in the present world there is the need for inclusive planning and participatory development. The notion that policy makers are the best thinkers is not correct these days, he reminded. Instead there is a need for the communities to share their ideas and opinions in order to usher in development, the state official said.
If the road shows are successful this year, the government is planning to hold it every year, ‘though on a smaller scale,’ he said. MLA from 54 Tuensang Sadar-II, Kejong Chang exhorted the people of Tuensang to stop their ‘laziness,’ and also bring about unity among the four tribes of the “eastern” Nagas to keep peace. Right after the inaugural function, minister P Longon and officials marched to the ground and inaugurated the event.
