Longleng, December 21 (MExN): For the third consecutive day, the Hingko Program was held today as part of the 58th General Session of Yachem Students’ Union (YSU) at Yachem village with S Pangnyu Phom, Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The MLA in his speech gave a big credit to the leaders of YSU who brought about dramatic change in transforming the mindset of the people in social, economic, political fields, ethics and morality, according to a press release. He emphasised that the world is becoming very competitive and challenged the youth of Yachem in particular and Nagas in general to take up any kind of challenges and strive for complete change.
The society we live in today, he said, has become very complicated and so we need to live in complete awareness to combat against the cruel world. “If we don’t know how to live in this complicated world then it would be very dangerous for us,” he noted. He also encouraged the gathering that while living in this complicated world, we should also preserve our rich culture and tradition that are transited to us by our ancestors which he termed as “unique”. Pangnyu further told the students that it is their responsibility to preserve and respect this old culture. “If we lose them (culture and custom) then we are not true citizens of Yachem.” Taking the example of China where all the Chinese give the foremost priority to preserve their culture, he urged the youth to cultivate such good habits, the release added.
He also emphasised in living in truth. “If we live in truth then there is always a blessing from God”. While appreciating the hard work and dedication of Yachem youths, he also challenged the youth to cultivate the sense of competitive spirit. “Unless you cultivate the sense of competition then you will not achieve your goal,” the MLA cautioned. He urged the youths to work independently without relying on others, while pointing out that Nagas in general and Eastern Nagas in particular are still living in dependency stage. He also said that the mentality of backwardness should be eradicated from the people’s mindset, adding “because of this backward mentally, we are lacking behind others.” He also said that we should show our intellectuality to the world. According to him, Naga youths are intellectual but do not utilize its values because of their laziness. He ended his speech by advising the youths of YSU to learn to forgive each other, to strive more in bearing good fruit, to stand firm in their word and always be honest in everything they do and to always remain at peace.
During the program, 2nd Hd Barrick Yachem and Deputy Commissioner of Longleng also spoke. The 2nd Barrick Sangte Phom spoke on the importance of culture. He told the gathering that the word “Hingko” is the sweetest word for Yachem. Going back to the past, he remembered that victory was not celebrated/done alone but done collectively. He also urged the youth to keep concrete aim and make their achievement benefit the government, village, clan and family.
The DC Longleng recounted that during his time no good quality English education and technology were available. Their wish to get education was a big challenge but now with the availability of good education, technology and other modern communication means, he encouraged the Yachem youth to compete with the other Nagas. Referring to Bible verse, he called upon the youth to seek God first because “your brain can’t do anything without God.”
He also encouraged the students to prepare well and give their competitive exams seriously instead of sitting for name sake. The students were also encouraged not to depend on political ground for job and also challenged the YSU to change the mindset and work hard with determination for better society.
In the early hour of the programme, the following persons were felicitated for their achievement in different fields:
• Y. Denngan Avennoho Phom - For being the first DC among the Phom
• Nungshikaba Phom - For clearing NPSC as SA.
• A. Denja Phom - For securing the highest mark (Subject Topper) in Environment Education in HSLC 2016.
• Lengoi Namdaklee - For being awarded “Best Hip-Hop/Rap Song” during the 8th annual music award of Nagaland.
