Morung Express News
Kohima | April 7
“It used to be a garbage disposal area filled with trash thrown by the colony residents and people did not want to cross the area because of its stench,” said the AG ward executive at the Sakhrie Park inauguration today in Kohima.
The park, which was inaugurated by Nagaland State MP, Neiphiu Rio, used to be a garbage dumping zone. This has now been transformed into a recreational park aesthetically decorated with flowers, succulents and cactuses, vintage park benches, and play areas for kids.
The park is open every day of the week. From Monday to Saturday, it opens from 6:00am to 6:00pm and on Sunday it opens from 12noon till 5:00pm.
Besides the aesthetic beauty, Sakhrie Park has a cafeteria called Café Footprints, candy cart for children, Teyozwü Hall where services are available for small weddings, birthdays, gatherings, seminars, workshops. The Park further has facilities for Kid’s play area, barbeque, Wheba (bonfire), air hockey, table tennis, soccer table, workout station, lockers, first aid, car parking lot and bicycle parking station.
During the inauguration, Rio thanked the Sakhrie family for creating the park which is a contribution to the society and “a pleasant surprise, a pleasant sight and place of blessing.” Asserting that the Sakhrie family has continued its legacy of serving the government and contributing to society, Rio stated that the park is a vision given by God, for the goodwill of society and that in no time the park will be a well known landmark for Kohima town. “A great city needs a park and needs to create space for community activities. Because we have very few spaces in Kohima, there is no area for recreational activities. This park is a good example and hope other colonies will follow suit,” said Rio.
Rio further lamented how outsiders develop a negative impression because of the dirty surroundings in Kohima, despite the well dressed people. Further asserting that Nagas still have to catch up with the developing world, Rio urged Nagas to maintain cleanliness and bring progress to the state through small initiatives such as sanitation and quality living.
In the opening address, Viketol Sakhrie, former Commissioner & Secretary for Rural Development, Nagaland and proprietor of Sakhrie Park mentioned that the name of the park has been dedicated to their family members who passed away and also to “remind us of our loved ones”.
Informing that the area was a garbage disposal site often prone to landslide, Sakhrie started envisioning the area way back in 2009 to transform it into something beautiful, and without seeking any help from the government, the family slowly established it to the present status.
“We have very less concept of parks in Kohima. This park has been made for the young and old, families and friends for recreational activities, meditation and to have a quiet time,” said Sakhrie, while urging the visitors to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings.
