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Alemtemshi Jamir, left, at the HASSU’s silver jubilee celebrations at Chekiye Baptist Church on Dec. 28. (EM Images)[/caption]
Dimapur, Dec. 28 (EMN): A local organisation in Dimapur, the Highway Area Sumi students’ Union (HASSU), started its silver jubilee celebrations on Dec. 28 at Chekiye Baptist Church at Chekiye village in Dimapur.
The HASSU comprises 18 units (villages, localities) along the highway till Chumukedima. This silver year is under the theme “In-Maius” (toward greater heights) where Alemtemshi Jamir, former chief secretary of Nagaland and the current president of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) was the chief guest for the opening ceremony.
“We think that highway is a road where only cars and trucks move but when you think deeper, it has a much deeper meaning, it changes lives and changes surroundings.” Jamir said. The former Chief Secretary also said that a lot can be Compared with time and see how much has changed and see the difference of the highway areas from just a few years ago to now. “This has lead to declaring of these areas as liner cities, cities which are formed along the roads.” He informed.
Jamir also mentioned of when he proposed a project to the government called the Nagaland Special Development Zone (NSDZ) where an 8 lane road from tizit down to tuli upto Dimapur then to Halflong was to be constructed but later civil societies turned the idea down. Jamir said that the main purpose was to build and construct industries along the highway making those cities the core of development for Nagaland. He further added that the intention for this special zone project was to also generate employment for the youth. Whereas the rest of the places up in the mountains will be ecologically free and untouched. “People will still live with their culture intact undisturbed with old traditions you but in the valley a fully fledged 21st century modern life going on.” He said. “Linear cities are growing and best example is Dimapur to Chumukedima” he added.
“When people move, they move with thoughts and ideas, movement of wealth and technology will be constant” he said in the same regard of how highways are changing the lives of many. Citing the many opportunities that come with living in linear cities such as hotels, restaurants, schools, college, industries and even evangelism where “Christianity can be spread along the highways” he said.
Jamir, during his speech spoke of how important the connectivity highways create and urged the youth to “speculate and understand what highway means.” Reminding that change is happening fast such as to expect motor vehicles to run on electricity and not fossil fuels. “We may have cars running on electricity going up and down your highways.” “Think what you can do as a union to change yourself, others, Nagaland and progress and proceed towards the future” he added.
He further urged HASSU to learn to adapt with the changing times and asserted that all will be accomplished through peace. “With all tribes coming together and solving problems together and learn to live as one” he said and lastly adding that Co-existing together as a society of inter dependence not independent will make the highway existence more beneficial.
