Morung Express News
Kohima | May 25
Under the theme ‘Amelioration’, the Naga Students’ Federation will be holding its 27th General Conference from May 30 to June 2 hosted by the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) at Tsürangkong Range where delegates will be staying at the eight villages of the range and the conference will be held at Chungtia Yimsen village.
Holding a press conference on May 25 at its office, the NSF team along with the Kelhouneizo Yhome Convenor of the Central Organizing Committee (COC) highlighted the various sessions and activities to be held at the conference.
The key speakers and guests for the conference are Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Dr. Shürhozelie, Chief Minister of Nagaland, Dr. Benjongliba Aier, Parliamentary Secretary, CAWD & Taxes, Neiphiu Rio, Lok Sabha MP, Nagaland Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar IAS, Laisam Samai, Parliamentary Secretary, Legal Metrology & Consumer Affairs, Government of Arunachal and Y. Vikheho Swu, Minister PWD (R&B), Government.
An interesting session at the conference will be the brainstorming session with panelists Dr. Aküm Longchari, Editor, The Morung Express, Inaka Assumi, Former General Secretary NSF, K. Elu Ndang, Former General Secretary NSF, TS Lotha, Former President of ANSCU, Subenthang Kithan, President NSF. The session will focus on the failures and achievements of the NSF and initiating suggestions to strengthen the organisation. “NSF has failed in some issues and has succeeded in the others and there are still many issues to be followed up. The session will be a time for reflection on both our glorious past as well failures,” asserted Yhome.
“We came up with the theme ‘Amelioration’, keeping in mind the need for progress and refinement in Naga society following the various social breakdowns and divisions in Naga society. NSF as an intellectual group wants to bring new changes in Naga society, build the society together,” said Yhome.
Kiren Rijiju to speak at NSF Conference
An important highlight of the 27th General Conference of the NSF is the presence of Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs who will be speaking on May 31. Stating that Rijiju’s presence is crucial, the NSF team mentioned that it will be an opportunity for Nagas to put up their grievances in the form of memorandums especially on border affairs.
NSF shares about its achievements
At the press conference, questions were raised on whether the NSF, as the apex body of activism for students’ rights, has achieved its goals, and its contribution to the student community in Nagaland and other Naga areas. Subenthang Kithan, NSF President replied that the NSF has contributed in stopping backdoor appointments in many government departments. Kithan claimed that NSF had filed RTI in 72 departments, whereby they held sit in protests in 2016.
Memorandums were also served to restrict backdoor appointments and subsequently, the Chief Secretary has issued an order, according to Kithan, to reduce backdoor appointments.
“To improvise the education system in Nagaland, we organised a seminar on the Education system in Nagaland where we invited resource persons to speak,” said Kithan who also mentioned the need for the Government to issue a fixed rate for fees in educational institution.
“NSF being the only surviving mass based organizations needs your support. It is your duty and my duty to strengthen it,” viewed Kithan.
Conference highlights
On May 30 in the introductory sessions, candidates contesting in the next NSF tenure will be given the opportunity to speak on the strategies and plans to strengthen NSF and contributions to the Student Community. The special guest for the introductory session will be Dr. Benjongliba Aier, Parliamentary Secretary, CAWD & Taxes The second day will witness the inaugural session graced by Kiren Rijiju, the Cultural Regale with Neiphiu Rio as the Special Guest and the literary session where Pankaj Kumar will be the special guest. In the literary session, a debate on the topic ‘Nagas are economically sustaining as a Nation’ will be held with a representative each from all the member units of NSF as participants and Neichüte Doulo as the debate critic. The third day will feature the theme session where Laisam Samai, Parliamentary Secretary, Legal Metrology & Consumer Affairs, Government of Arunachal will be the key speaker while Y. Vikheho Swu, Minister PWD (R&B), Government will grace the valedictory session. This will be followed by an entertainment night where students unions from various Naga tribes will perform along with a special appearance by Dreamz Unlimited.
Reminding the President of his assurance during the taking over of his Presidency in the 26th NSF General conference held in Khonoma where he talked about reviving the Tuli Paper mill, Wazeho Cement Plant, media persons raised a question if the NSF team has resolved these assurances to which Kithan replied that the NSF had informed the concerned departments to look into the issue. On the case of the Tuli Paper, the responsibility was assigned to the AKM to bring out the grievances and plights of the Mill.
