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S Pangnyu Phom inspecting the Republic Day parade at Wokha.[/caption]
Dimapur, Jan. 26 (EMN): Republic Day was observed by government institutions across Nagaland. It was a quite affair though, with community and students’ organisations boycotting Republic Day functions, leaving the venues virtually deserted except for government leaders and security personnel. Here are updates from the government bulletin DIPR (department of Information and Public Relations) about the event from across the state.
A cultural segment showcasing folk dance and music marked the Republic Day programme in Kohima. The various cultural performances during the Republic Day celebrations included indigenous music and dance performances by Riisoma Cultural Troupe; Rengma Cultural troupe; Yachummaro Cultural group and Konyak Cultural Troupe.
Thirteen parade contingents participated at the 70th Republic day celebrations at the Civil Secretariat in Kohima. During the event, various commendations to government servants were given. Senior police superintendent of Kohima, Joseph Hesso received the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. Assistant office superintendent for Prisons, T Bendangsenla received the President’s Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service.
The following persons were awarded with the Governor’s Commendation Certificate:
1. Michael, Angami; typist, PHQ, Kohima
2. Vikashe H Murumi, sub-inspector, V&AC, Kohima
3. Zevikuo Liezietsu, superintendent, directorate of School Education
4. Pagai Ndang, section officer, Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat
5. National Informatics Centre, Nagaland
The following persons are the recipients of the Governor’s Gold Medal:
1. N Chumdamo Jamio, AIGP (OPS)
2. Peter Shuya, UBI, OC Traffic, Dimapur
3. H. Tokihe Sema, UBC, DEF, Kohima
4. Chonpenthung Ezung, SDO (C), Wokha
5. Longdiba L Sangtam, SDO (C), Kiphire
6. Rajesh Soundararajan, DC, Kohima
7. L. Akumtoshi, junior engineer (electrical), Dimapur
8. Lengminlal Singsong, SDO (electrical), Kohima
9. Longzochang, superintendent, PWD, Housing.
DIPR presents Nagaland in pictures
There is no better tool to tell a story than with a photograph captured at the right moment and frozen in time for all to see for generations to come. In today’s modern world where everyone is living at a hectic pace chasing after one’s dreams and goals towards a perfect life photographs have become the most significant medium of sharing stories and memories as all it takes is a glance to get the message or the story across to the viewer.
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The directorate of Information and Public Relations as part of the Republic Day Celebrations shared the story of Nagaland to the world outside through the photo exhibition stall set up at the Nagaland Secretariat Plaza, Kohima under the theme “Nagaland in Pictures.” To showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Naga people, the breath taking landscape and the everyday simple life of the Naga people the stall hosts beautifully composed photos of various renowned as well as up and coming photographers from across the state.
The photos that were exhibited at the stall was a treasure trove for those that wants to take a glimpse of what Nagaland is all about. From witnessing the pictures showcasing the rich and colorful traditional attires, the beautiful landscapes and beautiful portraits of the Naga people one cannot help but feel a little nostalgic and proud of being a Naga with such a rich cultural heritage inhabiting one of the most beautiful places in the world today.
The DIPR has been the primary department in Nagaland that has actively taken up various initiatives in promoting photography as well as photo journalism in the state. The biggest and the much acclaimed photography competition in the state today, the “hip fest’ competition organized by the department is a prime example of the initiatives the department has taken up apart from regular photo exhibitions organized throughout the state.
The department is also one of the pioneers of photo journalism in the state ever since its inception and till date remains the pillar for the media fraternity in the state providing media coverage to all government functions and events across the state the whole year round.
In Longleng, the 70th Republic Day was observed with Tongpang Ozukam, minister of Public Works department, as the special guest for the January 26 event, at the local football ground, in Longleng.
Speaking on the occasion the Minister recalled the historic day back in 1950 where the people of India adopted a constitution that made India into a Sovereign, Republic nation and become one of the most vibrant and strong democracies with fastest growing nations of the world.
Asserting that the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 is not applicable to Nagaland because it stands protected under the provision of Article 371 (A) of Constitution of India and the Inner Line Permit Mechanism as per Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 which was reaffirmed as clause 16 of the 16 Point Agreement he said his Government has decided to refer the Bill to the standing Committee on Article 371 (A) under the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to examine the issues in its entirety and further appealed to the Government of India to have wider consultations with all North Eastern States to ensure that the rights of the indigenous people are fully protected.
The minister also asserted that the top priority of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government was to bring final settlement to the seven decades old Naga Political issue once and for all. To resolve the Naga Political issue at the earliest the PDA government is fully committed to play the role of an active facilitator in the ongoing political negotiation between the Government of India and the Naga political groups.
The Political Affair Committee along with the PDA Legislature had a joint consultative meeting with the tribal hohos and civil organizations to urge all Naga political groups to join the peace talk with the Government of India to achieve inclusive solution.
Earlier, the chief guest unfurled the national flag and took salute from four contingents comprising the DEF of Longleng and three Village Guards contingents.
The other highlights of the program included a Tug of War between DB and GB; and volleyball exhibition match, and inspection of stalls by the special guest.
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Phek observed Republic Day at local ground with the Minister for PHED Jacob Zhimomi attending the event as its special guest. He unfurled the national flag, took the salute from the parade contingents of the 22nd AR at Phek, DEF at Phek; and the 5th NAP, Home Guard, and Pipe piper band from 22nd AR Phek.
Highlights included a folk dance from Kutsapo village cultural troupe, folk song by Hebron-1 colony youth and Pochury Mothers Union of Phek town.
The special guest inaugurated exhibition stalls and a bazaar set up by Agriculture, Veterinary, Rural Development, Sericulture and Election departments; Phek Government College, Horticulture department and Legal Service Authority. Members of the officers’ club visited district jail inmates and the district hospital.
Peren celebrated 70th Republic Day with minister for Agriculture and Co-operation, G Kaito Aye at Multi-Disciplinary Outdoor Complex in Peren. The minister unfurled the national flag, and inspected parade contingents. He delivered the Republic Day speech. The parade contingents comprised the DEF of Peren, 9th IR, Sainik School of Punglwa; and the 36th Assam Rifles at Jalukie. Highlights of the function included a band display by the 36th Assam Rifles’ pipe band.
Tuensang
Tuensang observed Republic Day with Neiba Kronu, minister for Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue, as the event’s special guest at the parade ground of Tuensang.
District Commendation awards were awarded to P LeyangKhaim fishery demonstrator; Imti Chuba Chang, fishery grade IV; H Pongom Khiam, ASI, Tuensang; Naik S Makamchim, SP office, Tuensang; H Jonathan Sangtam, LDA at CMO office, Tuensang; N Thangsoi Khiam DB, DC office, Tuensang; Yongkhong Ngaku, DB, DC office, Tuensang; B Chaba Chang, sawyer, DC office; and department of Fire and Emergency Services of Tuensang.
For the year 2018-19 the following were selected by the Agriculture Technology Management Agency for outstanding performance in various farming enterprise: women society self help group of Longkhim for vegetable farming; Shobe Agri and Allied Co-operative Society for mixed farming, in group category; N Sipong Chang for cardamom cultivation; Chaangsomba for fishery; Z Nangcho for cardamom cultivation; and Hojungse Sangtam for integrated farming.
In Wokha, Republic Day was celebrated at Wokha’s local ground with minister for Health & Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering during the celebration, the minister said while the quest for a final settlement continues, the government is also committed to ensuring good governance and development of the state, and committed to keeping citizens as the prime focus. He said that the law and order the state was ‘by and large peaceful,’ with the police and district administration taking steps to ‘strengthen law enforcement mechanism’ and security for the citizens.
Altogether four parade contingents took part in the parade. Other highlight of the function included folk music and dance performance by the Wokha Town Eloe Eramo cultural troupe and Lotha Naga Society of Wokha village.
The minister for Soil & Water Conservation, Geology & Mining, V Kashiho Sangtam hoisted the national flag at Mon’s local ground, on January 26 during the Republic Day function. In his speech, the minister mentioned that, ‘We continue as a partner in the development and progress of the nation since the creation of Nagaland as a state of Indian Union in 1963.’
The minister stated in his speech: ‘In order to protect and safeguard our historic and unique cultural traditions and customary practices, special constitutional provision under Article 371 (A) were incorporated in the constitution of India. This Special Provision not only safeguards the right of the people of Nagaland but also given opportunity for the people of Nagaland to grow and develop according to their own genius.’
The chief guest took the salute from the 6th NAP, DEF of Mon, Women Police, Village Guards, Ex-Serviceman, and the band of the 6th NAP.
In the evening session, Thavasselan K, deputy commissioner of Mon, was the special guest. Other highlights of the event included a football exhibition match between District Sports Council and Officers Club of Mon, which was followed by a prize distribution. The 6th NAP pipe band played the Beating Retreat.
Kiphire observed Republic Day at the Kiphire local ground, on January 26. TemjenImna Along, minister of Higher & Technical Education read out the Republic Day’s speech. The special guest inaugurated exhibition stalls that were set up by 10 departments in Kiphire district. Altogether five parade contingents took part in the parade. The contingents included the 7th Assam Rifles, DEF of Kiphire, Village Guards, Ex-Servicemen, and the Kisetong Village Guard Band party.
Zunheboto district also observed the 70th Republic Day at the town’s public ground. The deputy chief minister Y Patton unfurled the national flag. Four contingents participated in the ceremonial parade: DEF of Zunheboto, 8th NAP, Home Guards, and Ex- serviceman. Patton inaugurated and visited the exhibition stalls set up by departments there.
In Mokokchung, Republic Day was celebrated at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex, with minister for Transport, Civil Aviation and Railways and Land Resources, Paiwang Konyak as the special guest. The minister delivered the Republic Day speech after the ceremonial unfurling of the national flag.
Other highlights of the programme included a dog show; a cultural dance performance by Khensa Cultural Troupe; cultural songs by Naga Wadir Club of Ungma; and a dance performance by The Gorkha Union of Mokokchung.
After the programme, the chief guest inaugurated the district exhibition stalls organized by the Agricultural Technology Management
Agency of Mokokchung in collaboration with allied departments and the district administration. Altogether five contingents took part in the parade.
Noklak observed Republic Day at the Noklak public ground, with advisor for Information Technology, Science & Technology, New & Renewable Energy, Mmhonlumo Kikon as the event’s special guest. He unfurled the national flag and took salute from three parade contingents. The special guest read out the Republic Day speech highlighting the government’s achievements and the policies to be implemented. He urged the people of Nagaland to come forward and cooperate with the government to bring all-round and successful development. Other highlights of the day included music, an arms display; exhibition stalls etc. A medical check-up and medicines were distributed during the event.
