Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 25 (EMN): Advisor to Chief Minister of Nagaland Abu Metha on Tuesday said good governance is essential for Nagas to develop and achieve great things in the world and receive recognition.
Addressing the Phüsachodümi Youth Society (PYS) 20th Cultural Day-cum-Sühkrühnyie festival at Phüsachodü village under Phek district, Metha said that one of the greatest policies of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s government is 'A Government of Meritocracy'.
He asserted that if Nagas are to rise as a nation and as recognised people amongst the committee of nations, ‘we must lay the foundation on meritocracy, and combat corruption and manipulation’.
Metha asserted that the only way to strengthen transparency is through the use of technology, and strengthening the foundation of education.
He also expounded the power of social media accessible at the tap of a few buttons and how art and photography can reach every corner of the globe in a matter of seconds.
He urged the youth to use the tool in a responsible manner and use the platform of the world wide web to empower oneself and strive for excellence success.
The advisor called upon the young people to have courage and urged the leadership of the day, irrespective of the political, civil society, bureaucratic and technocrats, to give hope to young people by ensuring meritocracy.
Further, he maintained that the youths were doing well despite the limited infrastructures and resources.
Meanwhile, the advisor pointed out that in today’s world, Tourism is one of the biggest industries, but was affected in the last couple of years with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
He however stated that Nagaland has been rigorously promoting tourism, through the Hornbill Festival.
Metha elucidated the progress and the impact of the Hornbill Festival, pointing to a study made in 2019. He said that in ten days, the Government had spent about INR 5 crore and in return the total amount that the state generated was about INR 1.90 crore, besides providing employment opportunities to the youths totaling around 8500 during the Hornbill Festival.
The Advisor asserted that the festival is not to be confined to the two cities -- Kohima and Dimapur --but spread throughout the state to let the Tourism industry penetrate into the grassroots level.
Pointing out that Nagaland had a huge potential of experiential tourism, he told the people to extend cooperation to the policy of the government and the department.
Meanwhile, Metha maintained that Naga political groups and the Government of India have been negotiating the Indo-Naga political issue and added that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is committed to bring about an early solution. He pointed out the 60 members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) had formed the all-party government to urge the Central government for an early solution. He also added that it is a boost to bring about development and urged the people to cooperate with the government.
Cultural residency programme at Phüsachodü village
He also announced that through TaFMA, a cultural residency programme would also be held at Phüsachodü village to promote and learn their folk songs and history. He also informed that hospitality training would also be conducted to empower the local community to let the village be in the tourism map of India and not only in Nagaland.
Meanwhile, advisor, TaFMA, Theja Meru, told the youth to dream big, work hard and make Nagaland proud.
While urging them to compete and connect with one another and emerge as winners, he reminded them to always be organised, quality centric and to pursue being the best. Further, he also laid emphasis on great networking.
Director of Tourism, Nagaland Ajanuo Belho also called upon the people to preserve the rich cultural heritage and exuded hope that the village walk would also enhance the beauty of Phek district and bring a great boost to tourism and rural tourism.
Significance of Sühkrühnye and concept of Village Walk
Meanwhile, the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Dr. Chotisüh Sazo presented about the significance of Sühkrühnye and the concept of Village Walk.
Sazo stated that most of the festivals are observed and celebrated along the cycle of agriculture, significantly associated with cultivation and harvest times. They also play an important role to add structure to the social lives, and connect with families, relatives and friends.
He said, “Sühkrühnye is the most important festival of the Chakhesangs and is celebrated in the month of January. It is a festival of blessing and purification. During this festival, boys and airs are sanctified through religious ceremonies and rituals”. The festival covers ten days.
Pointing out that with the coming of Christianity, Sühkrühnye’s religious and traditional ceremonies and rituals were no longer in practice, he however added that it is still celebrated with great significance and enthusiasm by the Chakhesangs.
Sazo highlighted that The Village Walk was initiated in Phusachodü Village in 2015 in order to promote and preserve various traditional ways of life, the good culture of the village and also to attract tourism related activities in the village, but could not be organised properly for a long time.
‘With the advancement of modern technologies and social media, the younger generation is forgetting the good cultures practiced by our forefathers. Although we observe cultural day along with the Sühkrühnye festival biannually, having songs and dance competitions, people forget other good cultures and tend to live in a pot-puri culture,’ he stated.
On the other hand, the unemployment problem is rising and many youths migrate to towns and cities in search of jobs. With the flow of tourists into the villages, the youth can be employed by engaging themselves as tourist guides, drivers, artists, potters, opening restaurants and lodging, souvenir shops, etc. However, since we do not have infrastructures, monuments etc. to attract tourists, we decided to show-case the traditional village life in its simple and unpolluted form, besides trekking, and other rural eco-tounism activities, he said.
Sazo also exuded hope that with the launch of 'Village Walk the employment opportunities will be generated and the rural economy will also be improved.
Later, Abu Metha launched the Village Walk at Phüsachodü village -- a tourist village under Phek district, 75 km away from Kohima and 8 km away from Pfütsero, 24 km away from Chetheba.
Earlier, Vesüli Theluo delivered the presidential address and there were competitions on Mücü- War Cry (Yodelling); Kazhe (a unique display of Men Machismo); women folk song; folk dance (both Men and Women) and men folk song.