Dimapur, May 5 (MExN): Kangtsüng erupted in festive fervour today celebrating Moatsü with Union Tribal Affairs Minister, Jual Oram, joining in the celebration as chief guest. It was the 64th Moatsü festival organized by the Kangtsüng Village Council, which falls under Tuli subdivision in Mokokchung district. Kangstüng is situated atop a ridge overlooking the Tuli valley and the plains of Assam and the hills to the south and east. Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister assured that he will give priority to any project related to Nagaland and added that he would take up the Tuli Paper Mill with the Centre for expediting its revival. He also informed that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has allocated 16 crores for various projects in Nagaland. Unity and mutual respect and coexistence was at the core of the celebration with cultural troupe from Gelekey, Assam and neighoubring Anaki Phom village enlivening the festive mood by performing alongside Tongpang Reju Club, Tuli town. Oram, in his address, cited festivals as being central to tribal characteristic and stated that festivals are a good opportunity for building relationships and fostering friendship and promoting greater people-to-people contact. Stating that festivals similar in significance to Moatsü are also celebrated in Odisha, the union minister opined that Nagas and tribals in the mainland share cultural affinity. Lamenting that tribal people despite being blessed with so many natural resources have not been able to take advantage of it, the Union Minister stated that it was “high time” the tribal moved away from the concept of living only for the day. Instead, Oram called for translating the inherited talent and natural resources to productive use and sustainable growth. Responding to Mokokchung DC, Sushil Kumar Patel, the Union Minister assured to set up a Government sponsored coaching centre for aspirants of various central services examinations. In this regard, he asked for a Detail Project Report (DPR) to be submitted at the earliest. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner, in his address, stated that Nagaland though geographically small can promote itself through its people’s rich cultural heritage. “Unity is the theme today and to that course let us work,” he urged. Others who spoke on the occasion included Parliamentary Secretary (Agriculture) Dr. Benjongliba, Advisor (Cooperation) Imtilemba Sangtam, and BJP Nagaland President Visasolie Lhoungu.
