On Statehood Day, CM Rio reflects on Nagaland’s journey

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio takes the salute from a march-past contingent on December 1. (Morung Photo)

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio takes the salute from a march-past contingent on December 1. (Morung Photo)

Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 1

Nagaland today celebrated its 58th Statehood Day at the Civil Secretariat Plaza in the state capital Kohima, highlighting the journey of Nagaland as a state since its creation on December 1, 1963.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio acknowledged all those leaders, who by their sacrifices, foresightedness and determination ensured the creation of Nagaland state with special Constitutional provisions as the 16th state of the Union of India.

Highlighting various developmental activities, Rio said that the state has significant and enduring achievements to show in every field. “We have been able to build good capacities in every sector, and our unified response in combating COVID-19 is a testimony,” he said.

He however conceded that there still remains a lot to be done and said “Together we need to continue with persistent efforts to ensure that Nagaland is at par with the rest of the states in the country.”

Rio also gave an overview of the new initiatives and achievements that various departments and agencies have made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While the pandemic has posed a serious threat to the tourism industry, he said that the tourism department continues to strive for the overall promotion of the state's tourism. “In this effort, the Department has outlined several strategies for the revival of the Tourism industry in Nagaland in a safe and sustainable manner thereby promoting it as a Safe Destination,” Rio said.

To keep tourism thriving and relevant in the state, the department of Tourism with the Government of Nagaland is celebrating the 21st edition of annual Hornbill Festival 2020 completely in a virtual mode only, a first of its kind for the State, he maintained.

With regard to education, Rio said that the Department of School Education, in order to meet the challenges arising out of the closure of the schools due to COVID-19, launched the innovative Online Digital Education in May.

The department also developed an Online Students Evaluation Portal which could be easily accessed through any Mobile/Laptop/PC and would work efficiently even with 2G internet connections, he said.

In order to ensure that the process of continuous learning is sustained in all Government schools, particularly in remote and rural areas, Continuous Learning & Monitoring Cell has been constituted to monitor learning activities through the newly developed Online School Monitoring System, he said.

Additionally, to keep the teachers updated with the latest developments and monitor progress of their activities, the Department launched the Teacher's App in September, he added. 

He said that the higher education sector received an impetus with the laying of the foundation stone of the Professional College of Music & Fine Arts at Tsiesema, the Inauguration of the Science Laboratory building of Phek Government College and science stream building at Dimapur Government College.

The academic session of the newly established Government Polytechnic Aboi, Mon, along with Government Polytechnic Wokha and Peren are expected to start from 2021-22 since creation of posts has been cleared by the government, he added.

Rio said that the municipal affairs department under Kohima Smart City Development Ltd, has resumed three uncompleted projects under the mission namely: Multilevel Vehicle Parking at Old Medical Directorate and Multilevel Vehicle Parking at Old NST, and the Capital Cultural Hall above NSF Martyrs Park and all are in good progress.

Earlier, Rio took salute from five march-past contingents- 4th NAP, DEF Kohima, STF, 15th NAP Mahila Battalion and PTS brass band. Parade review was done by Nagaland Director General of Police (DGP) T John Longkumer.