Limalenden Longkumer
Mokokchung | April 28
The Ungma Village Community Hall, the construction of which began in 1998, was inaugurated today by Dr S.C. Jamir, His Excellency the Governor of Goa as the Chief Guest. The guest of honour for the inauguration of the supposedly “best village community hall in Nagaland” constructed at a cost of Rs.1.3 crore was Minister for Education, Nagaland, Imkong L Imchen, who while delivering his speech said that he has always been and will always be close to the village of Ungma. He also conveyed his pre-Moatsu greetings to the villagers.
The Chief Guest Dr S.C. Jamir while speaking on the occasion declared that he has always had a dream, which is to leave a legacy of unity to the generation next of the village and added that this dream of his is being realized today with the construction of the community hall which he said symbolizes an emblem of unity.
He called upon the people to have a clear vision for the future of the land saying that Nagaland is a gift from God with no wrath of natural calamities like earthquakes or cyclones and no poverty plaguing the land but expressed sadness that Nagas are taking the path of self-destruction today.
He also challenged the people to adapt to the changing times and to speak the language of the 21st century and called upon the leaders and the youths of the land to spread their wings and soar. “Any nation that does not fear God will never last”, the Governor said, citing the examples of Babylonian and Roman civilizations. When there is no fear of God, there will be corruption at all levels and bankruptcy of truth, he said, leaving all everything in ruins.
He further said that we can divide the people into three kinds, first, the “backward” or pessimistic people who always criticize but do nothing, second, the “lukewarm” people who only self-criticize and lack self-belief and third, the “mature” or “balanced” people. He called upon the people to be of the third kind of the people.
He said Nagas today are a lost and uncertain people and questioned as to where they stand today and said that their vision is blurred due to lack of “Truth” among leaders, the church and the people in general. He also challenged the people to think of ways to wake up from this slumber of self-destruction. Nagas killing Nagas is self-destructive, he said, and continued that there can never be peace, unity or solution as long as Nagas don’t realize that they are “bleeding”. If the number of “aggrieved families” keep increasing, there can be no unity, he also said and questioned if Nagas are back to the days of “head-hunting”.
He was also of the opinion the more than political, Nagas need economic development. This is due to poor educational system, he said. The greatest need for the Nagas, more than anything else, is quality education, he said. He also called upon the student community to make the best use of all the modern amenities and facilities that are available.
On the Indo-Naga political issue, Jamir said that the two parties are like “the deaf and the dumb” communicating in a language that neither of them understands. There is a “language barrier”, he remarked.
He also called upon the people of Nagaland to get rid of all parochial ideas but rather have a common vision for the future for common good, without which the Naga society will get from bad to worse.
He also wished that the new community hall will be not just a mere meeting hall but also act as a platform for the youngsters to develop their skills of art and other talents.
As a concluding remark, he challenged his native Ungma villagers to “let the inauguration of the new community hall be the inauguration of new ideas” and become role models and torch bearers of peace for the Nagas.
The inaugural function was followed by cultural activities and a community feast in the community hall premises. Also present on the occasion, among other dignitaries, were C Apok Jamir, MLA and Supongmeren, MLA.
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