Tokhu Emong celebrated in Wokha
Wokha, November 7 (MExN): Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Neiphiu Rio today said that the decades of Naga struggle was not a failure, but a success story. “The recognition of the uniqueness of Naga history, culture, identity and tradition was a great achievement,” he said, adding when the issue is recognized as political, it is time to come together, take what is available and practical.
He was speaking as chief guest at the Tokhu Emong celebrations at Public Ground, Wokha. Rio congratulated both the NSCN (IM) and Working Committee for undertaking dialogue with the Government of India. He termed it as a good beginning and urged the Nagas to pray and support the peace efforts, stated a press release from the MP’s press secretary.
“If we are integrated emotionally, socially culturally and politically, a day will come for the Nagas to come together. So I would say this is a good beginning and therefore let us continue to pray,” he added.
“Our prayer was that Naga settlement should come before the General Assembly Election which is due in February 2018. We have spoken our mind to Government of India, and we have also heard from NSCN (IM) and Working Committee that if settlement cannot come, we must speak for postponement of the General Election to find solution,” Rio stated, adding it would depend on the Naga populace.
The chief guest further maintained that to have a true spirit of festivity, we need peace and tranquility; good health and work culture; and economic wellbeing. It is these qualities that make the people prosper, Rio said.
Terming Wokha district as “plentiful” with fertile soils, rich natural and mineral resources, hardworking people, the MP lauded them for having a literacy of about 90% and the highest per capita income after Dimapur district.
Rio further expressed concern for the youth and expounded on how they should be given opportunities to realise their talents and potential – sports being one of the important avenues in this regard. The MP, who is also president of the Nagaland Olympic Association, informed that after 41 years of attaining Statehood, Nagaland got affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association.
He mentioned about the upcoming Nagaland Olympics (inter-district) which will be held in December this year in Dimapur and encouraged the youths to participate. Out of the participants, the State teams of various sports disciplines to the National Games scheduled for next year in Goa will also be selected.
Earlier, Chairman of Lotha Hoho, Mhao Humtsoe submitted a representation for declaration of Bokajan-Wokha-Golaghat road as a National Highway, for which, the MP assured to take up the matter with the State Government and Government of India. He recalled that during his term as Chief Minister, the Government came out with the Nagaland State Road Map and also proposed the Foothill Road from Dimapur to Tizit crossing 5 districts.
In addition to the road, a railway line was also pursued for which the Railway Ministry included the project in the Yellow Book but the project could not take off. He further highlighted the advantages of having settlements in plain areas and foothills, which are more easily accessible with more facilities especially water compared to the hilly areas, and encouraged the people to consider the suggestion.
Rio also challenged the people to work tirelessly towards documenting their history and culture, ethnic cuisine, motifs, traditional apparel, songs, dances, artifacts etc so that our culture may be kept alive particularly in this age of modernisation and westernization, where he said the youngsters get confused between the two.
