Khonoma people celebrate 81st Rüffüno Day at Terhotsiese, Khonoma Basa village.
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DIMAPUR — The people of Khonoma celebrated their 81st Rüffüno Day on Monday at Terhotsiese, Khonoma Basa village, Kohima district.
The programme was held under the aegis of the Khonoma Rüffüno Nagaland (KRN) wherein thousands of people from six different units of the Khonoma Rüffüno, spread across different districts of Nagaland, participated in the celebrations under the banner “Hie Hü Sei Tuolie” (Inspire us always), the KRN stated in a press release.
Minister for Women Resource Development and Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, the main speaker of the event, spoke about her unexpected foray into politics to becoming a minister in the present government.
She thanked God for the His grace and blessings bestowed upon in many unexpected ways. While thanking the people of the 8th Western Angami Assembly Constituency and the people of Nagaland for the shown trust towards her, Kruse reiterated her commitment to bring all round development to the best of her abilities.
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Stating that development cannot be brought about in isolation, she urged the people to work together with the Government of Nagaland under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, to make the dream of an all round developed Nagaland a reality.
She eulogised the bravery and resilience of the people of Khonoma in the 19th century which led them to the Anglo-Khonoma war in 1879-1880.
Elaborating about the resistance to the colonial power, she said this led to a renaissance in trade and outlook of the people.
Traders from Khonoma did business with other people from Bombay, Cambay, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand and even China. Their travels and exposure to the outside world greatly influenced their polity and views on governance.
In the early 20th century, when the Naga people had presented a memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929, two sons of Khonoma were amongst the signatories, the minister said.
Kruse also urged the people of Khonoma, whose forbearers had the vision for a free Naga nation and fought the British with the spirit of “Ura Uvie” (Our land belongs to us) and have contributed a lot for the Naga people, to follow in their footsteps and continue to do good for the unity and progress of Naga people.
The 81st Khonoma Rüffüno Day also witnessed awards to nine individuals for exceptional achievements and excellence in different fields.
The programme was preceded by a two days youth camp where the delegates from different units of Khonoma Rüffüno competed in various events.