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EMN DIMAPUR, JANUARY 14
Chief Secretary to Government of Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir on Tuesday said external agencies will not be able to solve the problems of the North East India but from within and said matured institution like the Eastern Theological College (ETC) must continue to labour and initiate with boldness and creativity, with commitment and sincerity in God’s Grace, so that the institution continues to remain the salt of the earth. The chief secretary was addressing on 109th Foundation Day of the ETC community. He highlighted the ‘several relevant and contextual challenges in the current Glocal scenario’ while also acknowledging the central role the Eastern Theological College plays in the Ministry of the Church in the North East India. Remembering lessons from various world communities, Jamir vividly said that the thinking and philosophy defining the ‘Nature of God’ reflect the behaviour of the society- ‘our understanding of the Nature of God be reflected in the behaviour of the people of North East India’, he said. The chief guest brought to light some of the pertinent issues and challenges faced by people of North East region. He said that the issues such as, developmental concerns, inter-cultural concerns, gender issues, tensions in the region, are all theological concerns and pointed out that Christian Theology which is based on ‘love’ and ‘equality of all’ must work toward addressing these issues consciously and sincerely. Jamir further urged the community to look at the present scenario of the region and to think about creating space in developing ‘motivational programmes’ and ‘management techniques’ for policy makers which are very much theological in nature and therefore, an institution like ETC must work toward addressing this concern. He said that all these current challenges must be addressed consciously and with sincere commitment by the people of the region if we are to ‘deliver’ and ‘benefit’ the people of the region. To mark the occasion, an array of programmes were organised beginning with a ‘Thanksgiving Service’ which was led by the Chaplain of the College and Associate Professor of Religions, Dr Sashikaba Kechutzar. The Word of God was delivered by the college president, Rev Zhabu Terhüja shared that the occasion was a time to acknowledge and thank God for all the fore-parents who laboured for the establishment and growth of the institution and for fulfilling the vision of the institution, for their words, their deeds and for the quality of their living witness. Acknowledging the various contextual programmes of the college, like Tribal Study Centre, Women Study Centre, Ministry of ILEMA, Theological Education by Extension, Practical Ministry, Campus Children Ministry, etc, it was a time to thank God for the Eastern Theological College and its adventurous initiatives in the field of theological education and in widening the scope of Christian theological reflection, a time to recommit the institution and its ministry and once again seek God’s blessing in her theological journey. The ETC Community on this occasion made sincere covenant ‘to be responsible today, so that our little and humble contribution will connect the blessing and prosperity of Eastern Theological College with the Past and the Future to come’. The college president concluded his message by saying, ‘let you be the reason for others to thank God’. The Thanksgiving Service was followed by a second programme under the banner, ‘Celebrating Foundation Day’ at the Fred & Mary Downs Auditorium chaired by Professor Limatula Longkumer. Banuo Z Jamir, Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner who was the guest of honour in her greetings, challenged the theological community to strive for the best in the Grace of God. Drawing from her own testimony, she said, ‘I am what I am today because of the Grace of God’. She also pressed the ETC community to continue to remain faithful in God’s Grace so that ETC will continue to remain ever relevant to the current challenges. She invoked the gathering to work towards upgrading the primer institution like Eastern Theological College to a University level in order to address the challenges particularly taking into consideration the North East Concerns. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks and closing prayer offered by the vice principal of the college, Professor Shimreingam Shimray. Other activities of the day included planting of trees and laying of the foundation stone for the Children’s Park in the college campus by the chief guest.