Our Correspondent
Kisama | June 29
Governor K. Sankaranarayanan today said the National Integration Camp, which saw participation from some very beautiful states of the country, provides an ideal setting for the youth to understand each other and develop a feeling of mutual respect and love. He was addressing campers of the state-level national integration camp held here this afternoon. “Our apprehension and mistrust of a different culture or community many a time stems simply because of the reason that we are so ignorant about others. However, the moment we interact, learn and observe other communities, we are invariably drawn to one another and we find that many of our misgivings have been totally misplaced,” the governor said in his message read out by Secretary to Governor Abishek Singh, at the closing function.
The governor said “our so called differences melt away to give way to a feeling of oneness and the recognition we all share a common destiny.” He was hopeful that the camp would have assisted in all this happen among the young men and women and also help develop a spirit of harmony, tolerance, respect for one another and the importance of peace.
“The camp is a nice and laudable effort for strengthening the bonds that bind each one of us of this great country through the most vibrant and dynamic section of the society, that is youth,” he said adding he was pleased to see young people from different parts of the country come together and get an opportunity to observe each other’s cultures, customs and traditions, thereby leading to a better understanding of one another.
The governor stated that the nation is not only endowed with a great size both geographically and in terms of population but it is also blessed with an amazing mosaic of cultures, languages and customs. He said each region and part of the country boasts of something which is unique, beautiful and different from others.
“A journey across the length and breadth of India is an exhilarating experience for the way the immense diversity and variety gets unfolded with remarkable regularity as one crosses one region into another. At the same time, one is also made acutely aware of a deep undercurrent of oneness throughout the country,” he said adding one cannot help but become conscious of the fact that “irrespective of where one comes from, or what his identify is; we all share a common heritage.”
“Slowly and surely a realization dawns on anyone who tries to intensely and sincerely look beyond his on region or identity into other regions and cultures that in this vast and rich diversity there exists a subtle all pervading unifying force. A force which each one us has always felt and which constitutes the very basis of national integration,” he said.
Also stating that India faces many challenges, he said “while some are external there are many which emanates from within. I am pained to say that often our people fail to grasp the basic underlying unity that is there existing amongst us all throughout, and try to create divisions on grounds of religion, language, caste, region, and other identities.” He said that such action on the part of some not only immensely hurt the common legacy and heritage “that we all have inherited and should be proud of, but also weaken our nation.”
Sankaranarayanan also stated that a strong and united nation in every respect is a must for ensuring not only true development but also for helping attain India its rightful place in the comity of nations.
The Governor also congratulated the Nehru Yiva Kendra Nagaland for organizing the camp in the state.
Gracing the valedictory function as the guest of honor, MLA Vikho-o Yhoshu maintained that during the camp the participants have learned together in an environment of mutual love and respects for one’s district social and cultural identity. The camp also enabled them to understand and appreciate merits of people living in different parts the country, signifying unity in diversity, he said.
He stated that the participants have learned some of the age-old heritage and history, which strengthen “our secular and democratic fiber for building a most modern, progressive and scientific nation in the world.”
The camp, he also said, has enabled the participants to identify the threats and challenges posed by divisive forces towards development of harmony and peace in the country.
“You are now trained to be able to work and contribute for the national development among our people with particular reference to their citizenship role and service to the nation during national emergency such as communal riots, terrorists attack and relief and rehabilitation activities and disaster preparedness as well,” said Yhoshu.
‘As you go back to your respective home states’, he said, ‘remember that you are an ambassador now, for the country, for our better tomorrow’.
The weeklong camp was marked by interactions, discussions, cultural shows, talks given by resource persons on various topics; a visit to Kohima war cemetery, Indira Gandhi Stadium, new Assembly Secretariat, state museum, the cathedral, St. Joseph College and trekking to Shurho mountain.
In the quiz competition as part of the camp, Nagaland bagged first position while Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan stood 2nd and 3rd position respectively. In the essay competition, Meghalaya emerged first while Nagaland and Rajasthan stood second and third position respectively. Altogether five states Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland participated in the camp.
