Kohima, August 12 (EMN): With the aspiration to foster the feeling of solidarity among the six tribes as a positive strategy for progress, Eastern Naga Students’ Union of St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama, formerly known as ‘Tuensang and Mon Districts Students’ Union’ celebrated its 25 years of existence today.
The jubilee programme organised on the theme ‘Retrospective for perspective,’ was graced by Secretary, Y Kikheto Sema, as the special guest and Rev. Fr. Benjamin Chang, as the speaker.
Speaking on the occasion, Sema said jubilee is a time to cherish the past and claim the future and asserted that it is time to decide ‘what is right and what is right.’
Candidly pointing out that Nagaland is not a land of festivals but land of ‘unions and organisations,’ Sema said the state of affairs is full of ‘disunity and pieces’. He lamented that Nagas, as a small group of people, are further dividing themselves more and more.
Lamenting that the good values are missing in the society today due to the adaptation of foreign cultures, Sema maintained that Nagas as Christians are miserably failing in ‘soul hunting.’
Noting the trust deficit and leadership crisis in the State, Sema strongly asserted on the need to kill the ‘mental sickness of unforgiving,’ which according to him is the root cause of creating sharp division and religious intolerance among ourselves. He maintained that it is high time for Nagas, as a people, to bring the odds together, bridge the gap and build our nation anew.
While stating that jubilee is an occasion to recall the marvellous deeds of God, working in and through the student bodies, Rev. Chang said education is a means through which one should bring changes in the lives of the people without destroying their self-identity.
Although Nagaland has attained 50 years of statehood, Rev. Chang said it is unfortunate to see 1500 villages with about 1 lakh households remaining the same.
Education, he said, liberates, brings motivation, cooperation and commitments thereby makes the society more humane, just and makes them less vulnerable to oppression and subjection.
While referring to the demand for a separate state ‘Frontier Nagaland’, Rev. Chang opined that there is a general sentiment among the Eastern Nagas that they were socially, economically neglected by the advanced brethren for quite a long time. He urged the students to leave a legacy through education to equip their people and make them to strive towards progress and development.
In his message, principal SJC, Fr. Dr. Sebastian Ousepparampil said in this globalised, privatised and liberalised world, the opportunities as well as challenges are many. He, however, said the power of knowledge can open locked doors of opportunities. The students were advised to research the challenges and understand the tremendous opportunities.
Fr. Sebastian urged the eastern students to encourage their fellow brethrens and continue to support and render their services towards education to empower them.
Others who spoke in the programme included ENSU president on behalf of the ENSF, president of Students Council SJC and N Sachu John Yim, the first president. Pastor of Kohima Phom Baptist Church, Rev. Phomlee Van, invoked the jubilee blessings.
