A book on Tsiesema mu Zhadima Khrietho released

Leaders of the two villages during the release of commemorative book ‘Tsiesema mu Zhadima Khrietho’ Tsiesema village on Saturday. (EM images)

• KOHIMA — A commemorative book of the Tsiesema mu Zhadima Khrietho (TZK) was officially released on Saturday at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Tsiesema Village by Peter Kuotsu, Class-1 contractor.
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• Recounting the historical journey of the two communities, Kuotsu mentioned that the event served as a powerful reminder of the deep bond shared between the two communities during some of the most challenging times in their history.
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• Kuotsu emphasised the importance of documenting such histories while the elders are still alive.

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• "The youth may not know this association unless we tell our stories. This book comes at the right time," he said while mentioning the importance of documenting the histories from elders who are still alive.
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• He urged the youth to work hard and strive for excellence. He also called upon the parents to support and guide their children by allowing them the freedom to discover their own paths.
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• Noting that women across the state are excelling in various fields, he urged women from the two communities to step beyond traditionally assigned roles.
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• He also encouraged the men to step beyond traditionally defined gender roles and take up responsibilities, often perceived as women-specific, by reinforcing the idea that ability—not gender—should determine one’s role in society.
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• Vizolhou Mere, a member of the souvenir committee, informed that around 1957–58, some residents of Zhadima village were grouped together with the people of Tsiesema at Tsiesema village in the aftermath of military operations, during which houses were burnt and many Naga villagers were forced to go into hiding.
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• “Even after the residents of Zhadima returned to their native village, the two communities vowed to maintain their brotherhood and offer mutual aid in times of need. This vow was symbolically renewed on February 9, 2017, in Tsiesema,” he informed.
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• The souvenir convenor, Kruzo Mere, said that it took several years to complete the book.
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• Most villages in the Northern Angami area were burnt in 1956, forcing villagers to flee into the jungle, he recounted.
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• While many returned to their villages after a year, Zhadima residents were among the last to return to their village after it was set ablaze by the Indian forces. During the long period of hiding, many villagers perished from starvation, he informed.
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• He further stated that when villagers returned, the centre  planned to group residents of 2-3 villages into one group to provide aid, that was when the Kimho resident from Zhadima were grouped at Tsiesema. As situation improved, when the time came for the Zhadima community to return to their village, two feasts were held as the two communities were pained to separate and vowed to maintain a bond, he said.