T R Zeliang, on Wednesday encouraged students to strive for excellence in education while proudly preserving their language, traditions, and customary practices.
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ZUKETSA — Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, T R Zeliang, on Wednesday encouraged students to strive for excellence in education while proudly preserving their language, traditions, and customary practices.
He was addressing the 79th General Conference of the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) at Zuketsa Local Ground under Phek district. It was hosted by Zuketsa Students’ Union (ZSU) in the land of Kuzha Netho Ketshȕ.
Lauding the CSU for consistently playing a constructive role in shaping students’ future, addressing social concerns, and contributing meaningfully to the development of the Chakhesang community, Zeliang said student bodies are not only platforms for representation but also institutions that mould leadership and values.
In today’s fast-changing world, knowledge equips individuals to compete and progress, while culture anchors them to their roots, he said, expounding the theme of the event: “Nurturing Identity through Knowledge and Culture.” “Let education refine your skills, and let culture shape your character,” he added.
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Knowledge, when guided by cultural values, strengthens identity, builds confidence, and ensures that development does not come at the cost of one’s identity, he told the gathering.
The Deputy CM also said that Phek district has immense development potential in agriculture, infrastructure, education, tourism, and human resources, while highlighting the steady progress made in connectivity and basic infrastructure over the years.
Zeliang, who is also in-charge for Planning & Transformation and National Highways, assured that enhancement of road connectivity, market access, and integration of Phek district into the broader development framework of the state remain key priorities.
Citing impressive performance in competitive examinations such as NPSC and NSSB, he saidthe Chakhesang community is taking the lead in the government sector among the backward tribes. However, he noted that the community still lags behind the advanced tribes and called for consistent efforts to reach parity with the others.
Encouraging the gathering to take the lead in fostering cooperation with other student bodies, he said leadership rooted in knowledge and culture must be expressed through unity, mutual respect and collective growth, and development must go hand in hand with integrity, discipline, unity, and cultural pride.
Zeliang also lauded the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) for banning the import of domestic animals into Phek district in an attempt to achieve self-sufficiency, saying that such initiative would help prevent diseases in animal, strengthen the local economy, and encourage self-reliance.
Rengma tribe deserves consideration as one of the backward tribes based on P&AR data, provided they pursue their case separately, he said, adding that in case of such development, student bodies of other backward tribes should support their genuine demand.
Kudecho Khamo, Advisor for CAWD & Taxes, Government of Nagaland, who was also the Guest of Honour for the conference, urged students not to lose themselves in the fast-eroding world but to uphold honesty, hard work, and resilience, adding that growing competition amid technological advancement is posing a risk to identity, culture, and tradition.
The present government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has been working for youth empowerment, development, and the overall growth of the state, he said, advising students not to be discouraged by stiff competition and look beyond the government sector by exploring opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors, entrepreneurship, etc.
‘ILP should be renamed Inner Line Pass’
Also speaking at the event, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) President Mteisuding Heraang highlighted the importance of the inner line regulation for protecting indigenous. Noting that it was passed as the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, he said the nomenclature Inner Line Permit should be renamed “Inner Line Pass” and urged the government to take up the matter for amendment in the gazette.
He also reminded the gathering that NSF was formed not only for students and youth but also to protect the rights and interests of the Nagas.
Asserting that NSF would never shy away from fighting for the cause of students, he called for unity among the Nagas at all levels, while emphasising the need for synergy starting from the grassroots.
Addressing the gathering, Vezuhu Keyho, President of the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO), reiterated the organisation’s stand on the undivided Naga political cause.
Despite the existence of various dialects, the Chakhesang community does not discriminate among itself, he said, adding that learning different Chakhesang dialects is beneficial.
He said students must prioritise equipping themselves for the future, and that peace should be the driving force for development, unity, and progress. He also challenged students to do away with dependency on the quota system and to compete using their God-given abilities and talents.
The occasion also saw CSU President Pfhülo Sara delivering the presidential address, while Kuzhovesa Soho, Convenor of Central Organising Committee (COC), delivered the welcome address.
Earlier in the day, T R Zeliang unveiled the monolith of the conference in the presence of Kudecho Khamo and other legislators, including S Keoshu Yimkhiung, Z Nyusietho Nyuthe, Jwenga Seb, and Dr Neisatuo Mero. He also released the CSU magazine. Cultural session was held later in the afternoon.