Dr. J Alam bids farewell as Nagaland Chief Secretary

KOHIMA — Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Dr. J Alam, relinquished office on Thursday afternoon after 34 years of service. He held the office of the highest bureaucratic post in the state for four years and nine months.

A farewell programme in his honour was held at the N/W Wing, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima, attended by senior officers from the state.

Dr. Alam's tenure as chief secretary ends on Thursday (July 31) and Sentiyanger Imchen will take over as the new chief secretary from August 1.

Delivering his farewell speech, the outgoing chief secretary stated, “As I stand before you today with a heart filled with gratitude, humility, and reflection. Today marks the closing of a cherished chapter in my life as I retire and formally demit office after more than three decades in the service of this extraordinary state.”

“It is said that the greatest journey is the one that brings you home. For me, Nagaland has not merely been a posting. It has been a home, a calling, and an enduring inspiration,” he said, while asserting that the terrain, the culture, the challenges, and above all, the people have shaped him as a civil servant and also as the individual he has become.

Also read: J Alam bids farewell after nearly 5 years as chief secretary

“As I reflect on my journey over the last three and a half decades, I remember when I came face to face with the ground realities of Nagaland—the strength and warmth of our people and the complexity of the challenges that governance must rise to meet.

That actually shaped me as an officer. And over the years, I have had the honour of serving, as has been mentioned, at both the centre and the state levels,” Dr. Alam reflected on his early days in the Nagaland cadre.

He credited the support received from the state government, the officials, various tribal bodies, service associations, student bodies, and people from all walks of life. He also recalled his stint as additional chief secretary working with the chief minister during the COVID-19 period and said it was a defining moment steering the state through uncertain times.

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He stated that the state has seen many other developments since then, whether in dealing with natural calamities, climate change, challenges in agriculture, or introducing digital governance in Nagaland, and expressed hope that addressing all these challenges will benefit the state.

The outgoing bureaucrat affirmed that his achievement is not counted in terms of how many files he signed, how many circulars issued, or how many meetings conducted, but in how much lasting and positive change he brought and how far it can go.

“As I leave the office, I do not carry just memories. I carry lessons,” he said and added, “It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve Nagaland. This career has been more than a livelihood. It has been a life of meaning, and that in itself is a blessing if you are fortunate enough to receive.”

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Asserting that change begins with listening, he advised the officers and staff that they have to be good listeners if they really want to make a difference.

Furthermore, Dr. Alam also expressed gratitude to the media fraternity for their dedication, integrity and positive contributions.

A speech on behalf of the state government was delivered by Sentiyanger Imchen, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) and Finance Commissioner, who recalled his personal association as a batchmate of Dr. J Alam.

Read more: Sentiyanger Imchen appointed next Nagaland Chief Secretary

“There are many accomplishments to his name but for the sake of brevity and since time does not permit me to mention all of them, let me just list some of the initiatives that he started after he became the chief secretary,” Imchen said.

He highlighted that seeing many government employees made to chase after their pension papers post-retirement, Dr. Alam took measures to ensure that employees get their pension papers processed six months prior to their retirement. Now, it is possible for pensions to be settled and sanctioned before the date of retirement, benefitting many, he said.

He also credited Dr. Alam with conceptualising and launching the Nagaland Solar Mission, dovetailing the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana with an additional subsidy from the state government—ensuring that residential households can contribute to solar power generation and also monetise such potential.

According to Imchen, the outgoing chief secretary was also instrumental in conceptualising and launching a special initiative: the Nagaland Skill Mission, to train and provide employment opportunities for at least 5,000 youth in sectors such as hospitality, tourism, banking and insurance, construction, healthcare, logistics, and drone technology.

On the occasion, short speeches were delivered by representatives of different service associations.

The Nagaland Civil Service Association band enthralled the event with a special song. Y Kikheto Sema, Principal Secretary, led the farewell programme, while Rev. Izieteilung Tering, State Chaplain, offered a prayer. Anoop Khinchi, Home Commissioner, offered words of gratitude.