Culture, showcase and novelties mark Independence Day celebrations

Dimapur, Aug. 15 (EMN): India’s Independence Day was celebrated on August 15 with a variety of culture, entertainment, and sporting events across the districts of Nagaland. The government also gave out awards including the Governor’s Award for Excellence, during the programme.

The government publicity agency, the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR), gave details on Thursday about the celebrations in the districts.

Governor’s Award for Excellence
The 17th Governor’s Award 2019 for arts and literature has been conferred on a writer and a drama group. A writer, Charles Chasie, was conferred the award for literature while drama group Dreamz Unlimited won the award for arts. The awards were given at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima. The awardees were each given a cheque of INR five lakh, a silver plaque, a certificate and a shawl, the IPR stated.

The governor of Nagaland RN Ravi congratulated the recipients and thanked the government for honouring distinguished men and women in art, music and literature. He said art, music and literature are the mirrors of ‘aspirations and expectations of a society,’ the IPR stated.

‘The Naga society today is an inheritor of over thousands years of rich cultural and traditional legacies. The way the Naga villages have been organised in a self-sustaining manner for many centuries shows the richness of their inherent strength,’ Ravi said. He urged Naga artists, musicians and intellectuals to delve deep into the philosophical richness of their cultural past, and to present it to the present and future generations of Nagas.

The governor expressed hope that the initiatives of the state’s government will motivate the young and talented youths of the state to pursue their dreams and aspirations, and bring laurels to the state and the country.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio thanked the governor for supporting and encouraging the youths. He said that the Nagas have been blessed with talent ‘but we are not committed on it besides not getting the right opportunity to manifest our talents,’ the IPR stated.

‘There was a time with no conducive atmosphere which was compounded by difficult situations and circumstances in our society. Yet many excelled in their profession in spite of challenges,’ he said.

On art, music and literature, the chief minister said they carry significant messages and convey positivism to the people.

Charles Chasie is a Kohima-based journalist by profession. He has published books touching mostly on social-cultural life and politics of Nagaland. He has also directed and produced documentaries. He was felicitated by the Media Trust in 2007 for his contributions in literature.

Dreamz Unlimited is a theater and film production house based in Dimapur. The group’s formation can be traced to 2008 after an intensive theatre workshop conducted by the National School of Drama, New Delhi in collaboration with the NEZCC at Dimapur. They have performed plays based on social issues mixed with satire and humour for some churches, community groups and government agencies. They have a YouTube channel where they consistently upload short videos on the trending topics.

At present, the group has more than 2,17,000 subscribers, believed to be highest for a Youtube account from Nagaland. Founder and director of the group, Tiakumzuk Aier was adjudged winner of Golden Calton best director Award for their film ‘Nana.’

Cultural showcase
Cultural troupes from the Angami, Ao, Pochury, Rengma, Zeliang communities performed dances during the cultural presentation at the Secretariat Plaza.

The Angami troupe showcased the different stages of terrace cultivation during harvesting period. The harvesting method is called ‘Tekhoure.’

The Rengma troupe performed a folk dance which is performed during the community’s Ngada festival in the month of November. This dance demonstrates the development of human values in their social life, among other values.

The Pochury troupe displayed ‘Tsethomari’ and ‘Asuoro’ folk songs and dance which are performed during their 10 days festival the Nazu festival.

The Zeliang troupe performed ‘Knagtheng Lin’ dance while the Ao cultural troupe from Aong Reju Cultural Organisation performed a ‘Hornbill dance,’ signifying victory over the enemy during the head hunting days of the community.

The Nagaland Adolescent Girls Club also performed a dance showcasing their theme for this year “This is me. The unapologetically you.” Another highlight was a presentation of the national anthem in sign language by Cherry Blossom School at Kohima, and a Taekwondo demonstration by the Sports Academy.

Zunheboto

Zunheboto district celebrated the 73rd Independence Day on August 15 with minister for Public Health Engineering department, Jacob Zhimomi, as the host. The minister reviewed the parade and unfurled the national flag besides addressing the event. The national flag was hoisted in all government offices and educational institutions. Various other programmes including an entertainment segment marked the event.

Mon

In Mon, the minister for Transport, Civil Aviation, Railways & Land Resources P Paiwang Konyak, unfurled the national flag at the local ground of Mon. He took the salute from 16 parade contingents during the ceremonial parade. The chief guest visited the departmental stalls set up by various departments in Mon. The chief guest also gave away farmers’ awards during the function.

Konyak also flagged off the “Mon town bus service” during the Independence Day celebrations.

In the evening programme, Deputy Commissioner Thavaseelan K, and police superintendent Imnalensa were the chief guests, the IPR stated.

Also, a penalty shoot-out competition was played as part of the festivities. Teams from all the wards of Mon town, besides members of the officers club of Mon, deputy commissioner’s staff and police superintendent’s staff participated in the competition. A band display was followed by the Beating Retreat performed by the 6th NAP pipe band, the updates stated.

Kiphire

In Kiphire district, the 73rd Independence Day programme was conducted at the Kiphire public ground. Deputy Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Sharingain Longkumer attended the function as its chief guest and unfurled the national flag.

The deputy speaker took salute from the parade contingents consisting of the Kiphire District Executive Force, 7th Assam Rifles, Bharat Scouts and Guide, NCC ZPC, schools, ex-servicemen in Kiphire, SPC, Kiphire village guards, BHM DEF and Kiphire Village Guard Band, among others.

Longkumer read out the Independence Day speech. He inaugurated the exhibition stalls at the programme too.

Other highlights of the event included music and community dance forms besides a football exhibition.

Longleng
In Longleng, minister for Health & Family Welfare S Pangnyu Phom was the special guest of the Independence Day programme which was conducted at the local football ground. The special guest unfurled the national flag, inspected the ceremonial parade and took the salute from 14 contingents during the parade. The contingents of the parade comprised the DEF Longleng, village guards, NCC, students’ police, schools, NCC, and Bharat Scouts, among others. The special guest also inaugurated the exhibition stalls at the event.

Mokokchung

In Mokokchung, Independence Day was celebrated at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex with minister for Housing & Mechanical Tongpang Ozukum as the special guest. The minister unfurled the national flag, delivered the Independence Day speech and took salute from 13 parade contingents.

Other highlights of the programme included music, a dog drill, and a band display by the 44th Assam Rifles. Cultural performances were presented by Ao Sungkum Cultural Club, Nungden Reju Cultural Club and Phomla Hoichem.

The special guest also gave away the district award for 2019 to government servants, voluntary service organisations and the agriculture groups and farmers, the IPR stated in its updates.

Peren
The minister for Planning & Coordination Land Revenue & Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu was the chief guest of the Independence Day celebrations in Peren. The chief guest unfurled the tricolour and took the salute from six contingents.
The entertainment features of the event included a national integration-themed dance, and ethnic dance performances. As part of the celebrations exhibition stalls were put up by various government departments and agencies, the updates stated.

Tuensang

Tuensang celebrated Independence Day with minister Higher & Technical Education and Tribal Affairs Temjen Imna Along as the chief guest. Starting from 6 am the celebration began with the hoisting of the national flags in all the offices, private buildings and business establishments.

The police superintendent of Tuensang Bharat Laxman Markad reviewed the parade which was followed by the Rashtriya salute, inspection of the parade and speech from the chief guest, the IPR stated. 23 contingents participated in the parade.

The district commendation awards also were given away by the minister to government servants besides awards to farmers and workers from agriculture agencies.

Other highlights of the programme included cultural presentations from various community organisations.

A tug of war and a football exhibition match also featured during the event.

After the formal programme, the chief guest visited the GBs customary court and had short discussions, the updates stated.

Wokha

In Wokha, the minister for Rural Development Metsubo Jamir was the chief guest. Addressing during the citizens of Wokha during the celebration, the chief guest said the Rural Development Department through MGNREGS provided employment to 3.86 lakh households covering 4.17 lakh individuals during 2018-19, the PR stated.

Twenty contingents including the pipe band from the 28th Assam Rifles participated in the parade. Other highlights of the celebrations included folk music and dances from community groups.

The chief guest also gave away the district and commendation awards to a number of government servants besides community groups and Assam Rifles.

The district administration of Wokha in collaboration with Mahila Shakti Kendra also selected outstanding female students who scored more than 90% marks both in the high school and higher secondary school examinations of 2018-19, the updates stated.

Phek

In Phek district, minister for Agriculture & Cooperation G Kaito Aye was the chief guest. He unfurled the national flag, took the Rashtriya salute and inspected 17 parade contingents. The chief guest delivered the Independence Day speech and presented the district awards. Music, Taekwondo and folk dance, among other items, also featured in the festivities. The chief guest also inaugurated 20 exhibition stalls at the event. Other highlights included a visit to the district jail and hospitals and the Nabard, the updates stated. The evening programme hosted a prize distribution ceremony and the Beating Retreat by the 22nd Assam Rifles, the IPR added.

Noklak

Independence Day at Noklak was celebrated with advisor for IPR, SCERT and Village Guards Toshi Wungtung as the chief guest of the event. He unfurled the national flag and took salute from 10 parade contingents. The national anthem was sung by Christian High School students. The chief guest also read out the Independence Day speech.

Other highlights included music and dance performances, and a martial arts display. The 45th Assam Rifles at Noklak also displayed various arms and ammunition during the event. An exhibition football match was played too.