Governor PB Acharya handing over the Cleanest Village Award 2018 to Kitami Village during the inaugural of the Thuwuni at Pughoboto on November 15. (DIPR Photo)
Pughoboto, November 15 (MExN): Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya inaugurated the 4th edition of the three day Thuwuni, the ultimate outdoor festival held at the Pughoboto local ground on November 15.
Commemorating the festival, National Anthem and Aphuyemi Anthem music was played during the opening ceremony. Governor as the chief guest lit the traditional rituals (Itsa)-the fire making.
While delivering his message, the Governor said, “We need to give importance and cherish our own mother tongue” and called upon the people that the education system has to change and to improve, strengthen and empower our villages.
Adding that each village is unique, he congratulated the area MLA and the whole team including the Ambassador of Swachh Bharat and the convenor, Alobo Naga for creating an exceptional idea for the people. Governor also said that our knowledge should be for the society and urged the people not be self-centred. He also encouraged to the people of Pughoboto to establish private college. GHS Pughoboto is value added, he further stated and also highlighted on the Look East Policy.
Thuwuni –the journey
MLA Y Vikheho Swu who delivered a speech on thuwuni –the journey said that Thuwuni festival means “to grow or to progress”. This move was to bring in young Ahuyemi’s who arespecialised in their respective professions into the organising team, he said. He also informed that this year they have chosen a separate date for Thuwuni as many villages wanted to celebrate the Sumi post-harvest festivals ‘Ahuna’ on their own.
The MLA said that amongst other activities, music is no doubt been one of the main attraction and crowed puller during Thuwuni and the credit goes to Alobo Naga, for bringing many artists from different parts of the country to perform during the festival. He further said that this year also, Alobo Naga has managed to bring an international artist to Pughoboto, thereby making Thuwuni an international event. He sought the cooperation of the people of Pughoboto to look sincerely into the diverse objectives of the festival and strive towards achieving them.
Swu said the main objective of the festival is to promote economic growth of the region. He said to begin the journey, they decided to extensively use products which were locally generated or produce. Agriculture products and any other production can be brought to the festival for selling and developing long term business relationship with the buyers. He said that efforts are also being made to encourage farmers to create collection centres in the villages and at strategic location in the sub division through the assistance and support of village council so that agriculture products can be sold or passed on to the markets through the year.
Future course of plans
SDPDB Pughoboto chairman said Thuwuni festival is so many ways belong to the SDPDB. From the 1st year to this 4th edition, the board’s role and contribution extended to the success of festival has been tremendous. He also thanked to the Power department engineers for installing new 63 KV transformer in the new stadium on war footing. He mentioned that in January 2019 they will be conducting Thuwuni tours with two groups of people- the first group, that is the cleanest village awarded will jointly visit Mawlynnog, and the second group of entrepreneurs in meat production and sale section will visit meat processing centre in Guwahati.
As Thuwuni attains maturity, Swu said there is need to genuinely plan a future course for the benefit of all Aphuyemi’s. This year, the major task of organising the festival was given to MUSIK-A which was organised by Alobo Naga and his team. He appealed to all sections of Pughoboto people to rise up to the occasion. He mentioned that “Honesty” has always been the trademark of the people of Pughoboto .He also highlighted his experience and achievement for the last four years Thuwuni –Journey.
Swachh Bharat Marathoon race was also conducted which was flagged off by the MLA Y. Vikheho Swu. The prize of the Marathon winners and Cleanest Village Award 2018, which was bagged by Kitami village, was handed over by the Governor. The Tree plantation awards were bagged by Shesulimi, Natsumi and Chisololimi as first, second and third respectively.
Governor also witnessed the Indigenous & Traditional Games of folk dance performed by Kichilimi and the top spinning by Ghokimi village.
The Qhetubo Kimilipu (greased pole clamping) competition was participated by Mishilimi, Pughoboto, Natsumi, Awohumi, Shesulumi, Mukalimi, Iqhanumi, Kilomi, and Tukuliqa. Sumi traditional female sports and Bamboo stilt race and Sumi kick fight competition were also performed on the first day.
