Kevichusa foundation introduces citizenship award

First lecture in honour of slain journalist Chalie Kevichusa held   

Staff Reporter
Dimapur, Sep.23 (EMN): The founder and director of Mother’s Hope, Moamenla Jamir was the recipient of the first ‘A Kevichusa Citizenship Award’ – introduced on Saturday by family of the latter.

She was given the award for ‘her philanthropic and selfless contribution towards the society embodying ideal citizenship through her NGO institution Mother’s Hope for the last 16 years.

Jamir was presented with a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 3 lakh during a function held here Saturday at Don Bosco Institute of Development and Leadership (DBIDL) hall in Dimapur. The occasion also marked the introduction of Chalie Kevichusa memorial lecture, in honour of the journalist who was assassinated in 1992.

The lecture as well as the award is an initiative of the Kevichusa charitable foundation instituted by the family members with ‘Veritas et Aequitas’ (Truth and Justice) for motto.

The purpose of the award, according to the foundation, was to celebrate and promote the idea of ideal citizenship. It seeks to annually recognise an indigenous individual or group from Nagaland (both Naga and non-Naga) that has consistently championed, demonstrated, and embodied the ideals of citizenship, and unwaveringly sought the common good of the people of Nagaland or collective sections and constituencies thereof. This introduction of KCA was addressed by Dr. Kethoser Kevichusa.

Simultaneously, the  “Chalie Kevichusa memorial lecture” has been introduced with the hope that it will serve as a conscientious and civil public forum for reflecting and deliberating on the ideals that forge and promote a common vision or the common good.

Jamir, in her acceptance speech, asserted that the wish of biological mother is what Mother’s Hope care and advocates for, and the response have been improving since Mother’s Hope was instituted 16 years back though initially the institution had to face challenges associated with the stigma of ‘unwed mothers’.

Drawing attention to the initial challenges of Mother’s Hope, Jamir however was grateful that 21,300 people have been directly benefited by the services provided by Mother’s Hope for free and from 2016 till date 2700 people have come forward to assist her institution.

In this line, Jamir said: “I always believe the best in people and every individual has social responsibility towards a mother as no woman wants to be an unwed mother. Every baby in the womb is innocent and why should they pay for the adult wrong decision?”

She pointed out that 95% in the state wants to adopt a girl-child because of the reason that a girl child is capable of looking after their parents. In this line, she remarked that it should not be the only reason to adopt a girl-child while they are much capable of going beyond the reason provided. Also, she shared that 70% of babies born in Mother’s Hope were boys, providing another challenge.

Ebenezer Baptist Church, Kohima Pastor Rev. Keviyiekielie Linyü who was the speaker for the Charlie Kevichusa memorial lecture retold the story of “The Christian in the world: The story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer”. Reading transcript of “The Christian in the world: The story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer” and attempting not to do any interpretation, the Rev. said he chose the story because of the international symposiums on his life and thoughts that have been held and books, and letters read all over.