Our Correspondent
Kohima, August 21 (EMN): Chief Minister TR Zeliang has on Monday evening launched his official social media handles on the popular social networking sites- Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The initiative, according to the chief minister’s office, is to gather feedback, suggestions and share ideas with the public with the intention to absorb them into policy-making process and to use them as tools to enhance good local governance in the state.
“As we launch the Chief Minister’s social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram this evening, I must assure the people of Nagaland (once again) that all these media network will be used for directly connecting with the people so as to understand their mindset, maintain transparency while performing my duties as a Chief Minister of the state and also to obtain constructive suggestions and opinions from different sections of people on various Government Programmes and policies aimed at good governance and bringing about improvement in the overall delivery system,” Zeliang said after the handles were formally launched by the parliamentary secretary for Information & Public Relations, Imtikumzuk at a function held in the State Banquet Hall.
The chief minister pointed out that social media network has become one of the most effective tools to connect people and disseminate information quickly. “The fact that the Digital India Programme is being actively implemented by the Govt of India goes to further corroborate its ever growing relevance and indispensability in our day to day lives,” he remarked.
As a small beginning towards meeting this end, he said, his office was launching the initiative with the sole objective of coming closer to the people by directly connecting with them. Zeliang, however, was not devoid of apprehension that social media can become a destructive tool if used irresponsibly. Towards this, he urged upon the people, especially the youth, to “meaningfully use” social media to connect for constructive purpose such as promoting social harmony and unity amongst the different sections of people and desist from using it for harmful and negative purposes. He appealed to all to use these platforms for constructive feedback so that government machineries can adopt inputs considered to be beneficial for improvement of governance and also for the overall development of the state.
Rio releases documentary on TR Zeliang
Coinciding with the launching of the chief minister’s social media accounts, Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio officially released ‘TR Zeliang: The Story So Far’, a documentary on the life and struggles of incumbent chief minister TR Zeliang.
The film is a creation of Delhi-based Coreconxept, directed by Imsuyanger Lemtur and Duyu Tabyo. Speaking about their venture into making the film, they admitted that they were initially sceptical and was reluctant to do any sort of PR for a politician. However, they said their minds were changed after visiting Zeliang’s native village, Mbaupungwa, and after hearing the narratives of his relatives and villagers.
For Tabyo, this story is about a small boy from a very small place, cut off from the rest of the state and the country, who fought against odds to become the chief minister. He is of the view that while Zeliang, as a person, may have many flaws, but his story is inspiring. He expressed hope that everyone who watches the film would have ‘a thing or two to learn’ from the story.
Meanwhile, Zeliang acknowledged the Coreconxept Entertainment team for successfully bringing out the documentary. He admitted to having deep apprehensions when he was asked to narrate his story, however, he said the end product has evoked a “great sense of humility” in him as well as his family, at the same time, making them feel “extremely honoured”. He also hoped that this documentary on his life will not only serve as a living testimony of the struggles, the failures, the joys, the sorrows and fulfilments that he faced, but that it may also be a source of inspiration to others.
Earlier in the programme, Nise Meruno and Methseu Therie presented special songs while State Chaplain Rev. Kuzierang Thou offered prayers of blessing. MLAs, bureaucrats and well wishers of the chief minister attended the programme.
