Dimapur, November 13 : The governor of Nagaland has wished the people of the state, especially the Sikh and the Sumi Naga people, during the auspicious occasion of the respective community’s 548th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev, and Ahuna Festival, on November 14.
“I extend my warm greetings to the people of Sikh community living in Nagaland and across the world,” Governor PB Acharya stated in a message on Saturday. Guru Nanak Jayanti is observed by the Sikh community to glorify the doctrine of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Jayanti commemorates the birth of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru.
“The historic day is celebrated across the world by Sikhs with great fervor and collective spirit and effort, asserting the message of morality, hard work and truth inherent in the preaching of Guru Nanak. Owing to the fact that Guru Nanak enlightened the world with his profound teachings, the day is also known as ‘Prakash Utsav,’” Acharya stated.
“On this occasion I appeal the Sikh community to imbibe inspiration from Guru Nanak’s preaching and also to pass on the legacy to the new generation. I also take this opportunity to appeal the Sikh Community to take part in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign as a part of this celebration,” Acharya added.
Likewise, Governor Acharya greeted the Sumi community as the tribe celebrates Ahuna Festival. Ahuna is a traditional post-harvest festival of the Sumi tribe. It signifies the season’s harvest in thanksgiving, while invoking good fortune in the New Year.
During the occasion, the entire community prepares and feasts on the first meal of rice drawn from the season’s harvest.
In his message to the Sumi people, the governor thanked Almighty God for his love and blessings for the abundant harvest.
Calling India an agricultural country, the governor urged all the citizens to work together and ‘be nodal agents to reach the Kisans’ and to involve them in various central and state welfare schemes for their welfare. The farmers may be motivated by encouraging them to seek facilities such as the Kisan Credit Card and the Kisan Soil Card, of the central government besides welfare projects.
“As the Ahuna is celebrated with an array of cultural activities in songs, dances, traditional sports and feasting let us also rededicate ourselves to make the atmosphere in our towns and villages conducive for an all round development, especially in education and economic fields,” the governor said.
He has wished the community a celebration that would peace, unity and communal harmony to the people.
TR Zeliang
The chief minister of Nagaland has also wished the Sumi community unity through the celebrations.
“Ahuna festival signifies celebrating season’s bountiful harvest in thanksgiving and also to invoke the spirit of good fortune for the New Year. It should not only be an occasion for rest, enjoyment and merrymaking but to educate the younger generations to know the importance, values and roots of our rich culture,” TR Zeliang stated in a message on Saturday.
Zeliang hoped that the celebration would be an occasion to ‘strengthen and encourage each other and pave way for the community to join hands and strive for progress.’
We at the Eastern Mirror convey our wishes for peace and prosperity upon our Sikh and the Sumi Naga brethren in Nagaland as they celebrate the 548th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, and for the latter, the Ahuna Festival. This is our hope that the celebrations will not only strengthen fraternal bonds but further act as catalysts for the community to unite and grow toward peace and prosperity.
