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L-R: Dr. Neikiesalie Kire and Sharingain Longkumer during the Tsungremong celebrations on August 1 at Ungma in Mokokchung.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, Aug. 1 (EMN): Tsungremong, the premier festival of the Ao Naga community, was celebrated with much fanfare on August 1 across Mokokchung district.
In Ungma village, the festival was organised by the Soyim Students' Union (SSU). Advisor Dr Neikiesalie Kire was the special guest while Sharingain Longkumer, member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (MLA) was the chief host at the event.
In his speech, the advisor observed that the Naga people want government jobs but do not want to travel in government transport vehicles, or use hospitals or go to government schools, or use government facilities.
"Everybody fights for government jobs but government sector jobs have reached its saturation point," he said.
Lauding the SSU for organising the festival in a befitting manner, Kire asserted that children should be brought up in ‘traditional knowledge and values.’ He encouraged the younger generation to record and to document the culture of the elders for the future.
Comparing government schools in Mizoram and Nagaland, he said Nagaland government schools are not performing well even though its teachers are well qualified and are experts in their subjects, besides being better paid.
In this connection, Kire asserted that teachers are not giving their best and rued their performance.
To the students, he advised them not to become victims of social media addiction but to use the platform in positive ways. Likewise, he advised the student leaders to teach the young to follow their dreams instead of following others.
The festival was marked by vibrant dance and musical performances from various community groups.
The celebrations at Longsa village, also in Mokokchung district, was organised under the aegis of the Tourism department, updates stated.
The special guest for the festivities was MLA Sharingain Longkumer.
In his address during the occasion, Longkumer said people are often swayed by the modern norms and practices even in these changing times and in an era of technology. But the traditions and customs which were practiced by Naga forefathers should be preserved and practiced, he said.
The community’s younger generation should never ignore the traditions and culture, he said.
Alemtemshi Jamir, CEO of Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland spoke about the significance of the Tsungremong festival. He said that the only festival that is dedicated to God is the festival of Tsungremong during which people, in ‘purest form of honesty and praise,’ seek blessings from God.
It’s a festival no matter how poor or rich one is, and young or old, to share in the love for unity through merrymaking, the updates stated.
‘Tsungremong is the reflection of God for farming, climate and the weather which are totally dependent on the supreme power,’ Jamir said. The festival was marked by folk dance and music.
