Junior and Intermediate class students of CBC Sunday school presenting a special song on the occasion of International Mother Language Day at Chungtia Baptist Church on February 21.
Chungtia, February 21 (MExN): As per the directive of the Ao Baptist Church Council (ABAM) to all its affiliates to commemorate the International Mother Language Day, the Child Education Department of Chungtia Baptist Church (CBC) held a special programme on Sunday, February 21.
Writer and general secretary of Ongpangkong Mungdang Aso Imsong was the main speaker.
The programme was held on the theme ‘Tetsu oshi ajanga kin ka longjemdaktsur’ (A nation is unified by mother language). Hundreds of young children and youths, in their traditional attires, from the Chungtia Baptist Church and the neighbouring Sabangya Baptist Church attended the special programme.
The main speaker, Aso Imsong stressed on the importance of mother language in the modern Naga society. While appreciating the ABAM for giving much importance to promotion and preservation of the mother language, Imsong hoped that the commemoration of such an important day by the church would be the starting point towards the development of the Ao language in the days to come.
He said that the church has a very important role to play in promoting the native language as the church is one place where the mother language is intensively used to communicate to the congregation. Besides, he also pointed out that the church is also involved in printing and publishing periodicals and magazines which serve as mediums to preserve and encourage the usage of the mother language in daily life.
Likewise, he also encouraged the village councils and the student unions to encourage the youngsters to learn the proper Ao vocabulary and also speak and write in the mother language.
In this connection, Imsong regretted that many of the youngsters, especially those living in the towns and cities, cannot speak and even feel ashamed to speak in their native tongue. He pointed out that if one forgets one’s mother language, then one would lose their identity as people.
“If you and I don’t speak, write and read the mother language, then who would?’ Imsong challenged the congregation. He also highlighted a misconception among the native speakers that the Ao language is limited in vocabulary. In this regard, he said that the Ao language is never poor in vocabulary; it is only that the people are not aware or forgotten the many phrases and words due to disuse by the native speakers. Therefore, he asserted that it is the duty of the younger generation to research and enhance the language.
Meanwhile, the programme was led by Walang while CBC Associate Pastor Youth, Kathyla invoked God’s blessings. Chungtia village council member, I. Wati Jamir and CBC Deacon L. Tali exhorted the congregation and highlighted on the importance of why the younger generation should not ignore the mother language.
Presentation of special cultural songs, a shot skit, narration of Ao poems folktales by the young children marked the programme which was also attended by a host of parents. The CBC Associate Pastor CED delivered the vote of thanks.
