Morung Express News Kohima | December 15 The Kohima Municipal Council held its Pre Christmas celebration cum Annual wards/shops felicitation programme on December 15 at the KMC Conference Hall with Khrienuo C. Metha, Commissioner & Secretary, Home Department (RR & NSDMA) as the chief guest. Lauding the winning wards for being able to inspire the residents and help them understand the importance of cleanliness. Khrienuo C. Metha also stressed on the importance and necessity of sanitation in Kohima. Highlighting KMC’s effort to keep Kohima clean, Metha noted that the trash pickers are the unsung heroes in Kohima and said, “They are the ones coming in trucks, picking our garbage and disposing them. Therefore we are all duty bound to dispose off our garbage, unusable items in a civilized manner.” With litter becoming a huge environmental issue, Metha pointed out the complacency and indifference of residents in Kohima who continue to liter the despite fully understanding what litter does to the environment. “Wherever there is litter, that place attracts more litter. Research and experiences has shown us littering is a result of individual behavior. Wherever the community is looks towards cleanliness, we see that they have a much more inviting locality and improved lifestyle,” said Metha who also shared her views on the changing lifestyles and attitudes of Kohima town. Earlier there were rivers within the town which has now been reduced to drainages. Further, residents would rather choose to walk than travel on vehicles a few decades ago but today the changing lifestyles in the capital has seen more vehicles than pedestrians. “Our greed for land has narrowed our rivers into drainages,” said Metha who maintained that the main causes of littering are laziness, and ignorance which can be attributed to poor parenting and education. You being influencers of your area, identify a walking street. Appealing the Ward leaders to set the example to its residents to go back to walking as much as possible, Metha hoped to look forward to a much cleaner and better town to live in, in the year 2017. The award for the cleanest wards was bagged by Officers Hill Colony (First), PR Hill (Second) and Agri/Forest Colony (Third). The representative from PR Hill colony shared the commitment of the ward towards the beautification of Kohima city and further challenged all the residents and wards of Kohima to give their best and make Kohima the best and cleanest place to live in. Meanwhile, the representative from Agri/Forest Colony stated that one of its major endeavors in the colony has been sanitation following the rules and regulations provided by the KMC. Kovi Meyase also pointed out that this year the basic requisites for choosing the award were not just the Christmas decorations and illuminations, but sanitation and cleanliness in the wards year round. The award for the cleanest shop was given to K. Florist Taxi Stand followed by United Traders, Main town bagging the second prize and City Grains, Themezie bagging the third prize. The programme was chaired by Kovi Meyase, Administrator, KMC and the prayer was invoked by Tiatoshi Longkumer, Youth Director KABA. The Christmas Message was delivered by Jeyalo Mesen, Pastor, Living Word Church, Perizie Colony. A special melody was presented by the children of Jo Foundation Inclusive School, Winner of the 2016 Kohima Disability Day singing competition.
