Despite quit notice, Minister addresses 67th AKM General Conference at Changtongya
Morung Express News
Changtongya | January 19
Despite the Ao Senden issuing a strongly worded quit notice to Minister for Election, National Highway & Mechanical, Nuklutoshi Longkumer, the latter today addressed the students’ community at the ongoing 67th AKM General Conference in Changtongya and asked them to change their mindset about employability, know about their roots and identity, educate their parents about the need of unity and think about their fate in the future.
The Minister, who was the chief guest on the second day of the AKM General Conference, also attended by the Ao Senden President, challenged students to be more proactive, broad-minded and future oriented.
He said that the era of getting education just for a degree is over and urged students to focus on skill development and entrepreneurship so that they can generate their own income and be self-sufficient. He also encouraged students to look beyond government employment and look at job opportunities at the national and international arena. He said that the high number of educated unemployed youths is the biggest economic problem in Nagaland today, and cautioned against lackadaisical and indifferent attitude.
The Minister further asked the youth to understand Naga social and political history in the right perspective, and not remain silent spectators. He even urged them to educate the elders.
He meanwhile rued that Naga society is too selfish; a society that has no respect for leaders, elders, parents, friends and even religion. He went on to say that eighty percent of the congregation might not be aware of their future.
Students, he stated were not aware of their future because they were too dependent on their elders, parents, and leaders. He, therefore, challenged the youths to demand from the ‘parents’ to ‘forgive and forget’, to reconcile and be united for the sake of the future Naga generation.
Meanwhile, President of the Ao Senden, C Angang Jamir and NSF president, Subenthung Kithan also exhorted the congregation. A special number was presented by Ao Students’ Union, Delhi.
During the programme, the Educational Promotional Trust Award was also given away to meritorious scholars and Corpus Fund Committee members were also felicitated.
Believe you can do it: Dr Wati Aier
Oriental Theological Seminary Principal, Rev Dr Wati Aier who was the main speaker in the second session of the day, said that there is a need for self-criticism and forward looking to ensure a better society.
While speaking on the theme of the conference ‘Resolute affirmation’, he pointed out that the Nagas today look backwards, at the archaic social institutions, and try to lead forward, and questioned how this would work.
While talking from an Ao people’s perspective, Dr Aier asserted that the Aos should not be too proud to think that they were the first to receive education or Christianity. He asked the Ao people to think what the situation would be if Christianity or education came to some other communities first. Therefore, he asked the Aos not to think that they are better than others, rather they should think that they are the fortunate ones.
In this connection, he reminded that it is a competitive world and everyone aspires to be the best and to reach the highest level. Therefore, he asked the Aos to have serious self-criticism, and not to look backwards too much. He said that backward looking and leading comes from the idea that we are right, a justification that we are right.
He also called for a renaissance among the people. Dr Aier added that first comes renaissance, then enlightenment and industrialization. However, he questioned where the renaissance among the Nagas is.
Expressing belief that students can bring great changes in society, he asked them to “believe you can do it,” while keeping in mind the power and blessings of God.
