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Tali Longkümer speaking at the first annual general meeting of Kohima Ao Telongjem on May 12.[/caption]
Dimapur, May 12 (EMN): Retired IAS officer, Tali Longkümer, has expressed major concern for mental development of the people as he strongly believed that Nagaland will be literally developed when both physical and mental development takes place together. He stated this in the context of Naga people talking much about development but confined their rhetoric more towards physical development.
Speaking at the first annual general meeting of the Kohima Ao Telongjem (KAT) at Molu Ki, Kohima, on May 12 on the theme ‘Befitting citizen,’ Longkümer encouraged the Ao community to work hard and bear honesty in all aspects of life.
A KAT press release stated that Longkümer had shared some constructive points on how to become a befitting citizen by encouraging the community on need to ‘Go beyond borders.’ To this he said, only being culturally literate would not take the people forward but one has to go beyond the borders and exchange knowledge with others.
Also pointing out that a befitting citizen needs to ‘walk the talk,’ he called upon all the Ao leaders to diligently work and deliver what they have guaranteed. Longkümer also stressed on being disciplined, honest and visionary goal setter as an apt citizen. Saying that without God there is no success, he called upon the people to fear the Lord and continue to seek for His wisdom to be able to lead the Aos and the Nagas at large.
Exhorting the gathering, minister of higher and technical education, Temjen Imna Along, said Aos desire and talk about unity but lamented that no precise step has been taken for an absolute unity. He said the Aos are united only in principle. The minister was of the opinion that until the entire community unite and stand together as one, they will never succeed. He has advised the Aos to be humble, seek wisdom from the Lord and introspect to do what is right.
Stressing on some basic things for a cohesive community, Imna Along called upon the Aos to accommodate and have concern of each other in humility, saying God will be with such community. When God leads, success is apparent, the minister added.
He further urged all the members to have a principle of integrity and to honestly work for a better community and a better Nagaland.
Senior leader and a prominent retired state government officer, Lipokmeren said the present society needs honest and sincere officers and citizens to change the land. Urging the KAT members to take the lead, Lipokmeren said the Aos should first change themselves and take the lead to change Nagaland.
He also urged upon the elected legislators of the Ao community to unite as one irrespective of party and affiliation and to work towards change and bring back the laurels of the pioneers of the soil.
Short speeches were also delivered by the KAT president Er. Talitoba Sanglir, and the president of Kohima Watsu Telen.
The house also nominated new team of office bearers for the year 2018-20 led by Chiden Yaden as president, I Chubalepzuk as vice president, Moameren Imchen as general secretary, Lanusanen as assistant general secretary, Pangertoshi Pongen as finance secretary, and Dr. Aochuba as treasure.
The programme was chaired by the office bearers of KAT, while the opening prayer was pronounced by Rev. Yapang Walling, pastor KABA, and special number was presented by Ao Students’ Union Kohima.
