Leadership Development Training under Baptist Associations in Eastern Nagaland underway
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 20
“Envisioning a sustainable community encompasses almost all aspects of life notably social, religion, politics and economy,” said Y. Kikheto Sema IAS, Secretary, Land Resources during the ongoing 5th Leadership Development Training under Baptist Associations in Eastern Nagaland in Kohima on Monday.
Stating that the topic, ‘Envisioning a Sustainable Community’ was quite relevant with the present context, Kikheto said peaceful society, political stability, religious tolerance, economic independence were all required if sustainable community is to be made a reality.
He asserted that the head hunting days of the forefathers when there was lack of basic healthcare and education could not be termed sustainable.
“With the coming of the Britishers and American missionaries, the barbarian way of life that Nagas lived steadily evaporated and they stopped hunting for each other’s head basically through the teachings of the Gospel,” he said.
Kikheto, however said, that period was soon followed by turmoil of the Naga political movement which gradually brought statehood to Nagaland.
“Right from such times till today, the Church has been seen as indispensable to the society and that is why Church needs to play a pivotal role in shaping the society,” he added.
He said that the Church was the strongest institution among all since everyone irrespective of being a politician, bureaucrat, Naga national worker or businessman were all members of the Church which is highly revered.
“Therefore, being placed on a high pedestal, the Church should come forward and tell the truth. It should not focus only on the spirituality but even socio-economic issues. The Church can also focus on vocational and skill trainings to imbibe work culture. And a Church leader should be carefully selected,” he maintained.
Kikheto recalled the recent “unfortunate incident” in Dimapur where a prominent businessman was assaulted by one Sumi, reportedly a theologian.
“Such are the times when the Church should not shy away from speaking the truth,” he added.
Seeking apology, as a Sumi, to the victim, Kikheto said that individuals or groups commit unlawful activities yet the bad image is borne by the entire community.
He said even as Naga people have been bestowed with fertile soil, land and climate, a sustainable community could not be established since work culture has eroded leading to economic loss, killings have become frequent and political instability grips the state.
Kikheto said that the main reason of economic loss could be attributed to the eroding work culture resulting in outflow of money outside the state.
Kikheto pointed out that Nagaland has the highest ratio of government employees and population reaching 1:14.
He also maintained that electoral malpractice was one of the main evils in the society and encouraged the Church to make its Clean Election campaign bear bountiful harvest.
Kikheto urged upon the Church to work towards rooting out ism in the society and prevent it from further disintegration since Naga people are already a small society.
He lauded the Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo for sponsoring the seminar adding, “This is a good example of a big brother having concern for the younger ones. This is how we uplift each other.”
Institute for Development of Leadership is a training programme organized by the six Baptist Associations in Eastern Nagaland; Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam and Yimchungru. The training programme which is being organized in partnership with Clark Theological College and Global lead Alliance will culminate on March 22.
