Morung Express News
Mokokchung | May 1
The Ao community all over today kick-off their three day premier festival – Moatsu – at different places and villages; in Mokokchung village too, the Mokokchung Riongsanger Putu Menden (Village council) organized a grand programme at the village to celebrate the post-sowing festival.
The Moatsü festival at Mokokchung village, which was organized on the theme – Telongjem Terenlok (unity and progress) – was joined in by village councils of neighboring villages like Ungma, Khensa and Chuchuyimpang and also dance troupes from the ENPO-Mokokchung unit, Sumi Union, in-laws of Mokokchung village, well-wishers and others.
The celebration witnessed spirited cultural dances by the ENPO Mokokchung unit, the Sumi Union – Mokokchung and Aosungkum Cultural Club, Mokokchung village. Besides, cultural songs were also presented by Longmisa Senso Telongjem, Mokokchung and Mokokchung Senso Bendang Alir; and other cultural items were also presented.
The main speaker at the programme, Er L Senti Jamir (SE, PWD), while speaking on the topic, ‘unity and progress’, said that is nothing that can match with the power of unity since there is nothing that ‘unity’ can overcome. He maintained that to bring about unity in a society, the people should be forward looking and should not dwell too much in the past; besides, he called for understanding among the people, to be accommodative towards others’ weaknesses and contribute what one can –be it physically, intellectually or financially – towards the development of the society.
While talking about progress or development, Er Senti lamented that Nagaland is ranked top among Indian states that is dependent on the centre. Therefore, he strongly maintained that everyone should work hard towards achieving self-sufficiency and economic independence. He also called for the citizens to support each other, and especially those successful people, who should be regarded as good pillars of the society.
However, he maintained that real unity and progress can be achieved only when there is love and compassion among the people and therefore encouraged the gathering to have love, not only in namesake but real love from the bottom of their hearts so that the people can be united and work positively towards a developed society.
An in-law of Mokokchung village, Toko Tatung (a contractor from Arunachal Pradesh) while speaking on behalf of the in-laws, highly appreciated the cleanliness of Mokokchung village and added that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi had come to the village, then he would have learnt greatly from the village about maintaining a clean environment.
Also appreciating the village council model in Nagaland, Tatung said that the village council system is much better than the panchayati raj system found in other parts of the country. Terming panchayati raj system as a failure, Tatung asserted that panchayati raj system brings more division among the people through the election system and expressed his wish that there were village councils in his own state too. Also appreciating the good relations maintained by Mokokchung villagers with the other communities and villages, the Arunachali underscored the need of maintaining good relationships with neighbours so that a united and progressive society can be achieved.
Meanwhile, others who spoke at the programme were former minister, Dr K Ngangshi K Ao as the chief host while a village council member C Kilen delivered the Moatsü greetings. The festival ended with the grand Moatsü feast. The Moatsü celebration will continue for the next two days till May 3.
