Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang and others during the general conference 2024 of Poilwa Lui Nagaland at Poilwa on March 23
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 23
Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang today called upon the people to have a common vision and work cohesively in unity.
Addressing the general conference 2024 of Poilwa Lui Nagaland (PLN) at Poilwa Panchayat Hall on March 23, Zeliang also stressed on the need to focus on tourism sector as it possess unique landscape.
“We were told by our elders that Poilwa village is one of the oldest and biggest ancestral villages among the Zeliangrong villages after Mkuilongdi. We were also told that from this village our Zeliangrong people further moved toward the south and spread over upto NC Hills in Assam. Therefore, this village should be considered as Zeliangrong Puipei (Parent village).”
He said that good leaders came up from this village viz: T.Haralu who was the first Naga Deputy Commissioner of Kohima and was also the first Naga to be awarded the Padmashree for services rendered to the army and public in the war between India and China at the Lohit Front.
Later, he was elected as MLA from Peren Constituency in 1969 and was Leader of the Opposition Party in the United Front of Nagaland (UFN) till his demise.
Stating that Poilwa is one of the historic and pioneering villages among the Zeliangrong community and people from Poilwa village have went on to become even first among the Nagas in various field, he said “ The present people of this village should live an exemplary life to others respecting the pioneers.”
He stated that the first Naga flying officer is Hairoiding Haralu from Poilwa village, First Naga Doctor- Dr.Harielungbe Haralu from Poilwa village, first Naga ambassador to Panama & Costa Rica- N.N Haralu from Poilwa village and First Graduate among the Zeliang was Namgaheung Zeliang from Poilwa village etc.
Zeliang said that Poilwa village also had other public leaders like Iswang Chuilo & Daniel Hemang as Presidents of Zeliangrong Hozam and Zeliangrong Baudi.
“We have lost those respectable leaders and we still miss their presence wherever we are faced with social problem in the district because they have lived a selfless life for our people. Those leaders not only carried the image of this village but they represented Zeliangrong people among the Nagas in various capacities which will be remembered and remain in our history,” he said.
He was hopeful that Poilwa village will produce such leaders even in the days to come to lead the people.
Taking all these into account, this village deserves to be called not only one of the oldest Zeliangrong ancestral village but Zeliangrong Puipei Nam (Zeliangrong Parent village), he said.
Zeliang also highlighted some important details in Poilwa history.
In 1832, when British first came to Naga country, Poilwa and Zie Village were the first to fight against the British. In 1942, during World War-II, 2 villagers from Poilwa were killed due to British Air Force Bombing. In 1932- Rani Gaidinliu was in Poilwa for 2 months before being arrested.
Further, he said that the initiation of late T.Haralu for tapping water from Teupuiki River for making hydro project at Poilwa Namci and to convert the barren land into perennial terrace fields in Poilwa Namci must be honoured and implemented in days to come.
The programme was chaired by PLN president while welcome address was delivered by PLN vice president Kiloiteung Hinglak.
Poilwa Village Council chairman Rangsam N. Hau also delivered short speech.
Vote of thanks was proposed by PLN joint secretary Isapdaibe Chuilo.
The conference was also marked by cultural exhibition.
