Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 7
The Better Dimapur Team said that the upcoming December Fest scheduled to be held from December 18-20 at the DDSC Stadium is not an initiative of the Dimapur Municipal Council.
“People seem to think that this is an initiative of the DMC. But it is not so. It is being organised by the Better Dimapur Team in collaboration with the DMC, Naga Council Dimapur, GB Union Dimapur, Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation and Naga Women Hoho Dimapur,” core team member Alobo Naga told a media conference today.
The statement was in response to a news report published by The Morung Express on December 7 about the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry and its affiliates writing a complaint letter to the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur on November 19 with regard to the holding of the December Fest.
In the complaint letter, the DCCI, Business Association of Nagas (BAN) and East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA) raised objection to the DMC allegedly collaborating with a political body – Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) – to hold the event.
“The organisers would like to clarify that initially BJYM approached us to collaborate for the December Fest alongwith other civil societies. It has to be mentioned that BJYM wanted to collaborate with the Better Dimapur Team and not with DMC.”
Adrian Mahong, also a core member of the team, said that the BJYM approached them sometime in the first and second week of November and added, “They backed out voluntarily.” “As the organisers, our position is clear. There are no political leanings whatsoever,” maintained Mahong.
The Fest is rather being organised to provide an opportunity to citizens to celebrate the festive season, he said. Further, inorder not to clash with the Dimapur Nite Carnival, the Fest has been scheduled from December 18-20, it was added.
As for the Fest schedule, the Better Dimapur Team said that a variety of competitive events (colony-wise) have been lined up in addition to setting up food stalls. The colony-wise competitive events to be featured on the first day include Santa Clause competition, tug-of-war and stilt race. Choral, dance, photography, face-painting, waste to art competitions, flower exhibition and an aeromodelling show will be the other highlights.
Music will feature prominently throughout the 3-day even with Alobo Naga & the band headlining the evening event on October 18. KC Lights – school choir from Shillong that won the international Choral Meet 2018 will also perform. December 19 will feature performances from DJ Kate Shoo, EDM artiste Ravator, Zuchobeni Tungoe, Meribeni Patton and DJ Sumika. Christmas choral competition will occur on December 20 in addition to performances from various artistes and the DMC declaring the Cleanest Colony Awards.
BAN DCCI, EDBA, responds Meanwhile, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry, East Dimapur Business Association and Business Association of Nagas wrote to The Morung Express today claiming that the matter has been resolved. It stated, “This issue was immediately resolved when it was brought to the notice of DC Dimapur on 19.11.18 .”
