Focus on the common objectives, minister tells students

Our Correspondent
Khar, Jan. 17 (EMN): The minister of PWD, Tongpang Ozukum, on Friday asserted that in Nagaland there are countless organisations each with ‘good objectives but there are also organisations who have withdrawn from their objectives.’ He advised the student organisations, particularly the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), to not walk away from their objectives.

The minister was the ‘valedictory guest’ during the valedictory session of 68th AKM general conference at Khar village in Mokokchung district.

Ozukum, a former AKM general secretary, asserted that the group was a matured society and as a matured students’ body, it needs good leadership. He said that whoever enters the office of the AKM should be humble, and when they leave the office they should do so with good remarks in the interest of the students’ community and people of Nagaland.

Speaking about self-reliance, the minister asserted said, “If you are self-reliant and self -sufficient then you are the boss in your life. But for me, it denotes only dignity of labour and self-reliance. But it is the solution to all roots of evils.”

The minister lamented that the Nagas have been callous for far too long, and without a single successful candidate cracking the IAS or IPS for twelve years. He challenged the students’ community to give interest in this career to serve the people.

Further, he said that preserving one’s mother tongue is very important. He urged the AKM to initiate projects which would penetrate the communities in promoting and preserving mother tongue.

‘Conducting seminars will not be efficient enough but initiate that is impactful,’ he said. Similarly, he questioned the Ao people ‘how far we are satisfied with the Ao literature,’ and said the Ao community should ponder seriously if it needs more active support and participation from the people to further enrich Ao literature. 

Ozukum also urged the Ao community to not dwell in past glories because it won’t bring any good, besides that legacy being the achievement of the pioneers ‘not by us.’ He challenged the gathering to achieve their goals for the Naga society.

A new team of AKM office bearers for the tenure 2020-2023 are led by president Nungdokyanger.