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(Left) Main speaker, retired principal and educationist, Akok Walling. (Right) Minister for Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir releasing the jubilee souvenir during the Kumlong Ward golden jubilee celebration at MGHSS auditorium on October 8.
Mokokchung, October 8 (MExN): Kumlong ward, which is one of the oldest and most populous wards in Mokokchung town, celebrated its grand 50th anniversary at the Mayangnokcha government higher secondary school auditorium here today with minister for rural development Metsubo Jamir as the special guest.
Apart from the citizens of the colony, representatives from other colonies, All Ward Union Mokokchung, Ungma village council, Ao Senden, district administration officials and others participated in the jubilee celebration.
The special guest, Metsubo Jamir, while speaking at the programme, said that a ward/colony is like a village which is formed by people from different communities and backgrounds. He said that the ward celebrating its golden jubilee is an immense blessing from God as there are many people, especially the youths, who have immensely achieved greatly in the state and also in the national levels.
Paying rich tribute to the pioneers of the colony, the minister said that earliest settlers – six families who were also honoured with certificates at the programme – might have deeply prayed to God to bless the area, as the present generation is reaping the great blessings from God.
He also urged the people not to take the jubilee lightly, but to honour the past and also take it as a moment to forgive any past mistakes. He further said that the people should take the jubilee as a time to ask for more God’s blessings and guidance so that the citizens of Kumlong Ward would excel ever more in the days to come.
The main speaker at the programme, retired principal and educationist, Akok Walling, while making a reference from the book of Exodus from the Bible, said that jubilee is a ‘divine religious phrase’ and is connotes as something scared and a means to praise God. He said that Kumlong is one of the most peaceful where anti-social activities like sale of alcohol, prostitutions etc which are relevant topics in this 21st century are not practiced in the colony. Nonetheless, he said that there are many works to be done in the colony; he particularly regretted that Kumlong Ward, which has the highest voters in the Mokokchung town constituency, still does not have community hall.
While dwelling on the theme of the jubilee ‘Tsungchi Mera’, the educator said, it talks about ‘truth, transparency, unrelenting spirit and tenacity’ while ‘mera’ (or step in Ao dialect) represents footprint and also the trail of an animal or person. In this regard, he said that a colony represents the harmonious coexistence of communities where each community brings its own roots and identity. He said that the roots and identities contain primarily of ‘form and structure’ and also ‘philosophy, spirit and values’.
Therefore, he cautioned that while moving ahead with the change of time, ‘the form and structure’ of past traditional practices might be done away with, but there is also a danger of throwing away the content or philosophy’ along with it which will make the people lose their identity. He said that the Nagas, unlike the Indian or the western society, from ancient times is known as an egalitarian society where every individual works hard and shares their wealth with the community. While calling for appreciating the philosophy of our ancestors, Walling also said that every traditional practice by our ancestors – like swearing by the spear, or slaughter of Mithun – contains a deep meaning and philosophy. But, in these modern times, most of the traditional practices have been discontinued and with it the core values and philosophy are also slowly losing.
Also, while envisioning the future twenty five years from now, Walling urged the residents of the colony ‘to have an urban mindset’ and ‘urban thinking, understanding and rationality’ so that the colony and the town would progress more in the years to come.
Meanwhile, a two point jubilee resolution was also adopted where it was resolved that a multipurpose sports stadium would be built within 10 years; it was also resolved to conserve the environment and undertake a peoples movement on cleanliness so that Kumlong Ward would become an exemplary ward in the town.
A minute of silence in honour of the departed souls was also observed while the pastor of Kumlong Baptist Church Rev. I Lima Jamir invoked God’s blessings. The chairman of the Kumlong Ward Council, S Lanu Imchen welcomed the gathering. Short speeches were also delivered by the chairman of Mongsenbai Ward Temjensangba Longkumer; the president of All Ward Union Mokokchung, R Ayim Longkumer and the tatar of Ungma Village Council, Imtitongba.
The ward council members presented a traditional song while the Watsu unit of Kumlong Ward presented a special song. A souvenir book was also released by the special guest on the occasion.
This was stated in a press release issued by Longrangty Longchar, Member, Kumlong Ward Golden Jubilee Planning Committee.
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