Neidonuo Angami receives NNagaDAO award

Neidonuo Angami receives the NNagaDAO award from Ramakrishnan and Abou Mere at Kohima on August 1. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News
Kohima | August 1

Neidonuo Angami, a social activist, Nagaland was awarded with the prestigious NNagaDAO award for pioneering many movements and campaigns in Nagaland with far-reaching and long-term impacts. The award was handed over to her by R. Ramakrishnan, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare during the 1stharm Reduction Conference held at The Deck, Hotel Vivor, Kohima on August 1.

Born in Kohima village in 1950, Angami is distinguished by the fact that she is one of the founding members and former president of the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), the leading voice of Naga women in Nagaland today.

NMA was formed on 14th February 1984 in response to the mounting menace of drug abuse, alcoholism, violence and other social evils threatening the society. Without much experience and resources, NMA took the responsibility to rouse public awareness against destructive forces prevailing in the state. NMA also aimed to provide a common platform to voice women’s interest and welfare and also to uphold womanhood, human values and rights with its motto “Human Integrity”. Neidonuo served in various capacities of the Association from 1984 to 2007.

Neidonuo Angami is distinguished by the fact that she is one of the founding members and former president of the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), the leading voice of Naga women in Nagaland today. NMA was formed on 14th February 1984 in response to the mounting menace of drug abuse, alcoholism, violence and other social evils threatening the society. NMA took the responsibility to rouse public awareness against destructive forces prevailing in the state and also aimed to provide a common platform to voice women’s interest and welfare and also to uphold womanhood, human values and rights with its motto “Human Integrity”. Neidonuo served in various capacities of the Association from 1984 to 2007.

During her active leadership role in NMA, Neidonuo led the organization in responses to drug use, alcoholism and HIV and AIDS in Nagaland. She was the founding manager of Mt. Gilead Home (MGH), one of the first drug rehabilitation centers in Northeast (NE) India. She and her colleagues invited Kripa Foundation, Mumbai to come to Nagaland and provide professional and technical help to the state.  Kripa’s engagement with NE India was thus established. Later Neidonuo was invited by Kripa Foundation to assist in branching out their programmes in the whole of NE. Neidonuo was thus also involved in Kripa’s programmes in Manipur and Meghalaya. NMA and Kripa Foundation, under Neidonuo’s leadership, led extensive awareness campaigns on drug use, alcoholism and HIV/AIDS and policy advocacy throughout Nagaland during the nineties when drug dependence was at its highest peak.

NMA went on to start the first HIV Care hospice, where Neidonuo served as Manager from its inception until her retirement from NMA in 2007.  NMA has, thus acted as a pioneering organization response to drug dependence, alcoholism and HIV; providing services to people who use drugs (PUD) and people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the state.
To the community of people affected by substance use and HIV, ‘Aunty Neidonuo’ as she is fondly referred to, has made a profound impact. A few anecdotes shared by people whose lives she has touched exemplify the ways in which she has been a pathfinder and a fearless, compassionate crusader for drug users, alcoholism, PLHIV, HIV/AIDS etc.

Neidonuo believes that ‘one should never allow problems and circumstances to dictate our roles and responsibilities. Our conscience should always remain clean and clear.’ She emphatically states that if she has accomplished anything in her life-long social service it is, from beginning to end, a joint-effort and a team-work; and not to be mistaken for individual glory.

Recognising her relentless service in the field of social work, Neidonuo was awarded the prestigious civilian award, the Padmashri Award (Social Service) in the year 2000 by the President of India. She was awarded certificate of appreciation by Rotary International District, North East in 2005. She was one of the 1000 women nominated under ‘Global Women Project’ for Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. She was awarded certificate of appreciation for social service by the Governor of Nagaland and received Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chief Minister of Nagaland in 2007 on the International Women’s Day. She also received Lifetime Achievement Award from Gandhi Yog in 2009,

New Delhi on the occasion of International Conference of Gandhi Yog and Global Peace. Neidonuo was nominated for the following positions:
•    Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOI as a Member of Advisory Committee, Women in Forestry Sector (1998-99).
•    Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI as a Member of Technical Resource Group on ‘Women, Children and AIDS’ (1998-99).
•    As Member of National Commission on Population, GOI (2000-2004)
•    Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI as Member of Mission Steering Group, National Rural Health Mission, GOI (2005-2014).
•    Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as Member of Expert Committee on Tribal Health (2012-2015)