Acharya and Rio wishes Lotha community on Tokhu Emong

Dimapur, Nov. 5 (EMN): On the occasion of Tokhu Emong, the premier festival of the Lotha community, Governor PB Acharya and Neiphiu Rio, Lok Sabha MP have greeted the Lotha community. The two leaders issued separate statements wishing ‘the Almighty’s unwavering love blessing’ upon the community.

A Raj Bhavan statement cited the occasion was a celebration of brotherhood, forgiveness and oneness.

The governor called upon the Lotha community to “continue safeguarding and promoting the rich culture and traditions through the festival and come together and rededicate oneself to make the atmosphere conducive in towns and villages for peaceful co-existence and for all round development in the state”.

He also reminded the community to thank the farmers for their hard work. He said that the central and state governments have welfare projects for farmers such as soil testing, Kisan credit card, National Food Security Mission etc., to help in production and productivity. “It should be our responsibility that these welfare projects are made known to them and motivate them to avail the services for their benefit”, the governor stated.

He wished that the festival of Tokhu Emong would bring peace, unity and prosperity to the Lotha community in particular, and the Naga community in general.

In another statement, Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio termed the festival ‘as a time to cherish and enjoy the cultural practices handed down from the ancestors’.

He reminded that it was also ‘a time to give thanks to God for His abundant blessings, revive and strengthen friendships and relationships, a time to forgive, a time to bid farewell to the preceding year and seek Almighty God’s continued blessings’.

He expressed happiness upon the extension of restricted holiday to two days since the year before. He hoped that the premier festival will be celebrated with pomp and gaiety.