Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Dec. 6 :A sidewalk Yimkong meaning ‘Everyone’ in Ao dialect was opened to the public on December 6 evening by Alemtemshi Jamir, chief executive officer of Investment and Development Authority, at PWD junction in Dimapur.
The mural was a contribution by the Ao Students’ Union Dimapur (ASUD) in commemoration of ist golden jubilee celebration in collaboration with Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC).
In his address, Jamir called the mural as ‘a work of love.’ This initiative, he said, was a new creation and a hope of good leadership not only for the Ao community but for the Naga people. He exhorted that the movement of ‘A Better Dimapur’ project by Dimapur Municipal Council could be emulated by other districts.
“A movement started by Ao Students’ Union Dimapur (ASUD) will make a giant leap although it may be a small contribution among the many more works to be done for Nagaland. We are grappling here with our own problems when we compare with other states and to defeat our problems consistency is required which Nagas lack,” asserted Jamir. He called upon the ASUD to maintain the consistency with the initiative taken up the student union.
Ao Kaketshir Telongjem Dimapur golden jubilee planning committee convener, K Temjen Jamir, in his address, reported that the mural took over five months to complete which was the work of five Ao Naga artists namely Manen Imsong, Aten Nokdir, Lipok Manen, Yimnuti Nokdir and Longmojang for free.
Recounting the genesis of Yimkong sidewalk, Jamir said ASUD decided to commemorate the 50 years celebration differently instead of resorting to collection of donation.
DMC administrator Moa Sangtam, in his address, thanked ASUD for the initiative and said the Ao community had contributed the most towards DMC ‘A Better Dimapur’ project. He believed that the students’ union would continue to contribute towards a better Dimapur.
Sangtam maintained that Yimkong sidewalk which is about 1000 feet was the longest mural in the northeast India as per the finding which itself was an achievement.
