Naro Longkumer
Wokha | November 7
Conveying great distress at the gradual loss of the Naga tradition and culture due to modernity, Dr. TM Lotha today said that it was a loss of one’s identity or social status. Speaking as chief guest at the celebration of Tokhu Emong, the biggest festival of the Lothas, at Wokha public ground today, the minister said that a “review for change in this system is needed”. He strongly advocated that ‘forgetting’ one’s own dialect and speaking nagamese should be discouraged. “Not knowing one’s own mother tongue is a disgrace” Dr. TM Lotha said adding that this culture develops inferiority complex.
The Minister of Health & Family Welfare & Excise also lamented that with the deterioration of traditions, addressing parents and elders has become haphazard these days and spoke against giving children foreign names.
The guest of honour of the occasion, Commissioner & Secretary of Tourism, Art & Culture, K. K Sema expounded that the festival gives an opportunity to forgive each other. “Are you taking this opportunity to ask friends for forgiveness and apology?” he questioned. Appealing to the gathering to bring out the best and inculcate value systems, Sema urged the people to preserve the ethnicity, ancient traditions and culture. Speaking in tune with Dr. TM Lotha, Sema reminded of the importance of traditional games and sports, which “may seem like small things but these become our identity, a distinction from others”. He said that the older generation should encourage the younger generation to participate and perform with more enthusiasm. Both Dr. Lotha and KK Sema contributed Rs 1 lakh each towards the festival.
Cultural songs and dance, modern Lotha songs, tug of war etc were some of the main highlights of the day-long event. Maj Gen Sethi, IGAR (N), DIG HGV Singh, Commander, 5 Sector, Commandant, 40 AR, Col Jayachandran and his lady wife, DC Wokha, SP Wokha and lady wife of Dr. TM Lotha were the other dignitaries present.
.jpg)
