Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 1
Tenyimi Students’ Union Dimapur (TSUD) held its 5th general conference on October 1 at the IMC Hall under the theme – ‘Perspire and Achieve’. Vipopal Kintso, general secretary of the Tenyimi Public Organisation and former chairman of the Kohima Municipal Council, in his address as the chief guest called for upholding the inherent cultural values of the Tenyimi that has characterised the Tenyimi as a community.
“We’re Tenyimi not by choice but by lineage,” said Kintso, while maintaining the culture of respect, dignity and responsibility have been the inherent characteristics of the Tenyimi. While culture, more often than not, has come to be associated with traditional songs and dances, he added that there is more to it than just the physical and visible aspects and rather it should revolve around values. The Tenyimi possesses a distinctive character that of respecting elders, which further puts on greater responsibility on the elders to lead by example for the youngsters to look up to and emulate, he added.
Stating that the Tenyimi has produced great leaders, who have served the Naga cause, he said that it is one particular area that needs introspection. According to him, the Tenyimi as a responsible community should review, realise, identify and measure how far it can contribute to the society as leaders and as followers.
Commenting on students and politics, he said that students should be politically conscious – a consciousness not necessarily pertaining to electoral politics. He said that students should be mindful of the things around them and be able and enabled to mould their own future. At the juncture where the Naga issue is at present, which is directly or indirectly affecting all Nagas, and a government not living upto expectations, he said that the situation calls for a citizenry that is able to stand up and act as facilitators. And as responsible citizens, “We need to support a solution and not leave our future at stake.”
Khalo Kapfo, president, Tenyimi Union Dimapur held that conferences are a great platform to know and understand one another. “We should enhance our level of understanding and cooperation,” he said, adding that in the absence of the two, it will not be possible to run and maintain a knowledgeable organisation. Stating “student life” as the best and happiest phase of life, he said that while it is important to take part in social activities, he added that it is also important not to lose touch of the academic side.
