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Men pull during the Tug of War competition at the December Fest, at the DDSC stadium in Dimapur, on Thursday.[/caption]
Dimapur, Dec. 20 : December Fest was indeed festive, where the young and old alike participated in a show of community belonging besides competing in various events such as Tug of War, stilt bamboo walking; and music and dancing. It was truly a community celebration for Dimapur town. The festival concluded on Thur. Dec. 20 at the DDSC stadium in Dimapur.
The event was organised by a local community group, Better Dimapur, in collaboration with the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Naga Council Dimapur; GB Union of Dimapur; Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF); and Naga Women Hoho of Dimapur.
The idea behind the festival was to bring different communities and denizens of Dimapur together to forge friendships among one another and build a better ‘Dimapur community.’
A member of organising committee, Adrian Mahong, told Eastern Mirror that participation from Dimapur’s 68 colonies was encouraging although the scheduled day had to be postponed as rains played spoilsport.
Organising an event such as December Fest requires a lot of resources and an NGO alone cannot organise one. Replying to a common query if the festival would be an annual event, Mahong said the Better Dimapur team hopes any person who succeeds the incumbent DMC’s administrator, Moa Sangtam, would understand the importance of such event that can bring the entire community together to foster friendship.
“Better Dimapur team will always be there and we hope to make December Fest an annual event but with the support of the community,” Mahong said. He was critical of people smuggling alcohol into the event even though the festival was declared an “alcohol-free zone.”
Dr. Fr. Anto, the principal of North East Institute of Social Sciences & Research in Dimapur, lauded the December Fest as an event that brought the public together.
Pastor Kethoser Kevichusa delivered the Christmas message of the event. The preacher spoke on the meanings of Christmas. Firstly, he said Christmas was a time when people see an expression of God’s revelation in peace.
‘We Nagas he said have been looking for peace for many years. And therefore we must remember that as individuals we are at war with each other. We must look for peace by surrendering ourselves to God for peace. Our greatest need is peace and that is why God sent Jesus,” the pastor said.
The second point, Kevichusa spoke about was on understanding God’s rejection of power. He remarked that everyone wants power. ‘But we must remember God rejects our idea of power. Jesus shows us what true power is: the power to be gentle and to love,’ he said.
Thirdly, he said, ‘we find God’s reversal of the idea of poverty and Jesus shows us what true prosperity is. What use it is when we conquer the soul but lose the soul?’ the pastor challenged.
Fourthly, he said, ‘We find God’s response to us being in problems, but God tells us that we are not alone.’
First: Kevija-U colony
Second: Aokong colony
Third: Landmark colony
First: 1st Ura Villa
Second: Viola colony
Third: Sewak Rio colony
First: Kevija-u
Second: Niu colony
Third: Ura Villa
Winner: Akonuo Loren
Runner-up: Sarah Loren
Winner: Sentimongla Longkumer
Winner: Maple Tree School
Open category: Lotha Baptist Church
Santa Claus competition: United North Block, and Imkonglenden colony
