KOHIMA, December 7 (MExN): A two day seminar on Tenyidie, sponsored was organised by the Razeba Public Organisation (RPO) Literature Committee at RPO Hall, Razeba from December 6 and 7.
The resource persons for the seminar were Prof. D. Kuolie, Head of Linguistics, Nagaland University, Vipralhou Kesiezie, Rtd. Director, SCERT & Former Member, NPSC Nagaland, T. Sekhose, Director, SCERT Nagaland, Dr. Zavise Rume, Associate Professor, SCERT Nagaland and Kekhwengulo Lea, President, Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO).
Observing that many families converse in Nagamese at home, Prof. D. Kuolie remarked during the first session that the Nagamese language has become the silent killer of our mother tongue. Towards this end, he asserted that “if we have any objective or great aspiration for the wellbeing of the community, we have to promote our language and literature.” He deliberated on the various scopes of learning and studying Tenyidie while highlighting that it is the only Naga language that is being studied at the Ph.D level. Eight scholars are currently pursuing Ph.D in Tenyidie, he informed.
He further dwelt on the three aspects of language such as home language, street language and language of authority respectively. He also impressed upon that that language has great power and can either connect or divide people.
Vipralhou Kesiezie spoke on the importance of having a common language and stated that a common language for Tenyimia as a group of people will be good. “We can do great things not only for ourselves but Nagas as a whole”, he said. Dwelling on the advantages of having a common language, he impressed upon that it gives a feeling of oneness, belongingness, unity, friendship, brotherhood, trust, confidence, courage, also builds vision and plans for big projects as well as build economic power.
Lauding the RPO for organising the seminar on Tenyidie, T. Sekhose commented that most of the elderly of Razeba area knew the Tenyidie language but observing that the young generation is slowly losing touch, he said, learning it will greatly benefit our children. He also stated that if they build their foundation on learning Tenyidie, they can also go up to Ph.D level. In this regard, he said only Tenyidie has Ph.D not only in Nagaland but the whole of North East, the state is first. He said there is immense scope for those students pursuing Tenyidie while encouraging more students to take up the subject.
On day one of the seminar, Kezevinuo Krome chaired the first session while Rekha Rose Dukru chaired the second session. Vizo Pohena, Pastor RBC said the invocation while Khazi Lea, President RPO gave the concluding remarks.
On day two where Dr. Zavise Rume and Kekhwengulo Lea were resource persons, the sessions were chaired by Deo Movi and Vikholie Venuh respectively. Mozho Krocha, Catechist. Catholic Church Razeba said the invocation. Mention may be made here that the seminar was sponsored by SCERT Nagaland.
