Yimlimongla Pongen receives Rev Dr Neiliezhü Usou’s Memorial Award for music

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 29

Yimlimongla Pongen today received Rev Dr Neiliezhü Usou’s Memorial Award for music. This is the 13th award ceremony of the highest percentage scorer in music in HSLC examination 2021 conducted by Nagaland Board of School Education.

Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) advisor Theja Meru handed over the award to Yimlimongla Pongen of The Vineyard School, Kohima at a function held at Rev Dr Neiliezhü Usou Memorial School, Kohima.

Pongen received Rs 25,000 along with citation.

Speaking on the occasion, Meru challenged the youngsters to dream big and dream global. “Be international in your approach, vision and outlook,” he said. He also called upon the youngsters to have a competitive spirit and excel in the different fields. Further, Meru told the youngsters to be organized and always remember to focus on networking.
 
‘Little progress is still progress’
In her acceptance speech, Pongen said, “I’ve also had my share of obstacles and disappointments in my journey as a musician, but I’ve always managed to get back up and keep moving forward. I believe that even if it’s little progress, it’s still progress.”

She encouraged others to never get fazed “by the challenges that life throws at you because there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.” She also encouraged everyone to keep doing what “you are doing because a day you will reap what you sow.” 

“My mother has always been a huge fan of music- so one day when I was in the second grade, she introduced me to the piano.  I immediately fell in love with music.  I began going to classes more often and music became dear to me.  Today, it has been 9 years since I started playing the piano and since music became part of my life,” Pongen said. Pongen said that she will continue to work hard and strive to be “the best I can be.” My dream right now is to successfully finish 12th grade and pursue a bachelor’s and perhaps even a master’s in music performance in a foreign country, she said.

Further, she encouraged anyone, young or old, who may be interested, to just go ahead and do it because there is no age barrier, especially to learning music.  “Music is a universal language.  It speaks to everyone and everyone feels music.  It is such a beautiful thing because music connects us with other cultures and new people and even animals,” Pongen said.
 
About Rev Dr Neiliezhü Usou Memorial Award
Akobu Usou Ralsun said that Rev Dr Neiliezhü Usou was a lover of music, cheerful with full of lively sounds in and around him with every move involved in praises and music.”

“His name will continue to live on in the minds and voices of young ones through the School of Music- the Rev Dr Neiliezhü Usou Memorial School (RDNUMS) and his Music Memorial Award in his honor,” she said. She said Rev Dr Neiliezhü Usou Memorial Award for Excellence in Music was initiated in the year 2009 under Rev Dr Neiliezhü Usou Memorial Society.

This Award is a permitted Award under Nagaland Board of School Education and as in the present, the Memorial Award is considered to be the only music award for the highest scorer in HSLC level in the subject of music. The purpose of the award event is to keep the legacy of Rev Dr Neiliezhü Usou alive and encourage the young minds to follow their dreams in their interest, skill and profession in music, she added.