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Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 6 (EMN): The Phom Union Kohima (PUK) observed 70th Phom Day (1952-2022), also known as Peace Day, at the Kohima Phom Baptist Church on Monday.
It was attended by the Phom community and representatives of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Kohima (ENPUK) and Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation Kohima (ENWOK).
Chief guest of the event, S Yangng Angh, OSD to minister of Health and Family Welfare, implored the gathering to stay united, saying that there is greater things to achieve as a community.
He also urged the Phom community to put their trust in God for peace, harmony and prosperity in every aspect of life.
Chaired by the vice president of PUK, Imti Mokholee Phom, the programme saw Additional Director of Agriculture, Nyenghong speaking on significance of Phom Day, greetings from PUK president Dr. S Manyaii and the poem of the occasion read by Shemyung.
The Phom Students’ Union Kohima (PSUK) anthem was also launched at the event, while a song was also presented by Langto Loyang.
Rev. Phomlee Van, pastor Kohima Phom Baptist Church (KPBC), offered the prayer for the Phom community and scripture read by H Paman Buchem, associate pastor of KPBC.
Addressing the gathering at the Phom Day celebration in Longleng, minister of Health and Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom commended the pioneers for pledging and taking the unanimous decision to stop the culture of headhunting, shun violence and proclaim “peaceful existence and calm environment” during the darkest period in Phom history.
He stated that the unconditional sacrifice and committed heart bestowed in the most dangerous mission by the forefathers back in late ’40s and ’50s had enabled the people to see the light from darkness, where each and every individual is liable to take forward the "message of peace and harmony" to every corner of the world.
“The fearless, courageous and wisest elders of those days are the real heroes even to this day,” he said.
The minister asserted that the present day generation and upcoming generations must continue to uphold the spirit of oneness, belongingness, and above all the love among each other in all walks of life; motivate and inspire through this day -- Phom Day -- to make “our land a better place to live in”.
He recalled the past wherein the Phom society was enveloped with fear and insecurity, glorifying killings and praising inhumanity, while neighbouring communities were excelling and advancing by embracing Christianity, education and transforming the living standard. While maintaining that there was massive growth and scaling in every field post June 6, 1952, he said the present generation is ‘fortunate’.
Pointing out the divided Naga society, the minister called upon the ‘Phom Day commission’ to lead from the front in formulating a holistic strategy to educate the people to come to an understanding and find an amicable solution to the fractured Naga society.
“The day has come for our people to play an important role by initiating a peace process mission by citing Phom Day as a living example (the Historic Consensus Agreement) that has enabled us to see the brighter world, and most significantly emulated unity and victory in our land called Phom,” he said.
“Keeping this mission in our hearts, let us all become a channel of blessings to all our fellow Nagas and share each other's contribution for a productive and flourishing Society,” he added.
He also appealed, encouraged and challenged the young intellectuals and the student community to come forward and research the Phom Day and make the land an institution of "Peace Research Centre" to the state and beyond.