Dimapur, Feb. 24 (EMN): The youth ministry of the Ao Baptist Arogo Mundang (Abam) at Impur in Mokokchung district informs that it has embarked on a “goodwill tour” to Liphanyan along the Assam-Nagaland border where construction of the Nagaland foothills road bridge is underway.
The youth group issued a press release to the media informing about their visit and the interactions they had there.
The youth ministry, consisting of about sixty youth pastors from various Ao churches, recently undertook a goodwill campaign tour to Liphanyan, “to express gratitude to the Nagaland Foothills Road Construction Committee (NFHRCC) and to all those who are involved in construction of the upcoming foothills road of Nagaland.”
“The goodwill campaign team...held a thanksgiving fellowship with the NFHRCC members, the representatives of various tribal hohos, gaon bura, church workers, elders and residents of Liphanyan area, and including the concerned engineers and contractors,” the press release read.
“Sharing the objective of the visit to the gathering Abam youth secretary, Impur, Mr. Toshi Sanglir said, it was a positive campaign to express a voice of gratitude on behalf of all the Nagas, to those people who are involved in making the foothill road a reality-from Government to contractors, engineers, the hohos, the land owners and specially the committee responsible for what they have done so far.”
The press release quoted him as having said that the ‘foothills road dream’ was “almost 40 years now and it’s high time we get things done for our people and the state, and for this Sanglir pointed out that we now need positive voices to encourage those people who are in it.”
The youth secretary said that the “main barrier linking” to the foothills road was the river and “if the bridge in question is completed, it will become the bride of every single Naga.”
“Saying that pessimism is obvious in our society, and also we lack in appreciating, Mr. Sanglir said it is high time the youth of Nagaland say thank you to those people who are responsible in reviving the project after almost four decades.”
In spite of “the negative criticism” from various corners, he encouraged the workers and everyone there in concern to ‘remember there are people praying for them.’ He made a vow that the Abam youth ministry will “run the good race together, and will continue to pray for them, for their wisdom, protection and blessings as they go towards the completion of the foothill road.”
Also addressing the gathering was the NFHRCC’s convener Supu Jamir. On behalf of the 11 tribes’ committee members, he expressed gratitude to the church ministry ‘for the good gesture.’ He said that “the Naga people have waited for more than 39 years, and in order to survive the people Nagaland need to complete the foothill road.”
If there are no external or internal disturbances, the press release quoted him as having stated, the bridge will be completed by the end of this year. The state’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his government are “serious about this project, and therefore things will work out well although there are many obstacles ahead,” he said.
The NFHRCC has appealed to the public to “have faith in the government, contractors and NFHRCC while stating that it was putting in all efforts see that the road construction becomes a reality.” Jamir appealed through the youth ministry to all Nagas to pray for the people involved in the work.
Participating in the discussing various concerns, tribal leaders there expressed opinions that it was time for the public and individuals to ‘fund and contribute towards the project and not leave everything with the government.’
The speakers urged for united effort to the work and cause “so that the foothill road project becomes a sign of real unity among Naga people and boost the economic development of the state,” the press release stated.
The team also drafted a two-point memorandum addressed to the Nagaland government, the statement informed.
“First, it sincerely appreciated the concern authority in taking the foothill road construction seriously which will ultimately benefit the people extensively; second, sensing the grievance and voice of the people is the fundamental responsibility of any government, therein, the Abam youth ministry will appreciate and be indebted if further progress of the foothill road is prioritize, considering that the road is the lifeline for the Nagas.”
The team also read a scripture passage from the book of Psalms 128:2: “For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee,” the press release stated.
Teka Imchen, promoter at Abam youth ministry, encouraged the people involved in the work to “continue with their good venture and concluded with a series of prayer invoking God’s guidance, wisdom and protection for everyone concerned in fulfilling the long cherished dreams of the Naga people,” the press release added.
