Leaders urge creation of archives centre in Nagaland

Exhibition charting journey of education in North East opens in Kohima

DIMAPUR — The need to preserve Nagaland’s history and educational legacy was underscored at the inauguration of the exhibition on the “Development of Education in North Eastern India” held at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, on Friday.

Organised by the National Archives of India in collaboration with the Higher Education Department, Nagaland, the exhibition brings together archival documents, photographs, rare books and multimedia presentations charting the growth of education in the region. It runs from August 8 to the 15th.

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In his keynote address, Minister of Higher Education and Tourism Temjen Imna Along described the event as an important occasion for the state. Noting that Nagaland is a diverse state whose forefathers lived with discipline and wisdom, he said such knowledge needed to be preserved for future generations.

He stressed the importance of archiving, stating that archives play a vital role in preserving and documenting the culture and history of a community.

He also pointed out that while the Nagas historically had no native script, they have made significant progress in education — something he attributed to “divine preservation” and the efforts of early Christian missionaries who brought formal learning to the Naga Hills.

Along credited the missionaries for their “selfless service” in introducing education when few outsiders were willing to venture into the region. He said it was because of their work that Nagaland today ranks as the second most literate state in the country.

Addressing students at the event, he reminded them that “true education brings humility” and urged them to keep pace with technological advances while remaining adaptable. He added that every educated person is employable if they curate their skills, work hard and use their achievements for the benefit of the community.

MLA Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutso, in his address, thanked the National Archives of India for hosting the exhibition in Nagaland, calling it an “eye-opener” that underscored the urgent need for archiving the state’s history and cultural heritage.

He appealed to the Ministry of Culture to set up an Archives Centre in Nagaland, which he said would help government departments preserve vital records and benefit the wider North Eastern region.

Rhutso also proposed that future exhibitions focus on important personalities of India.

According to an update, Director General of the National Archives of India, Samar Nanda, said the preservation of culture is essential for understanding and shaping the future. He noted that the exhibition documents the evolution of education in the North East, especially in Nagaland, and reflects how it has adapted to changing socio-political contexts.

“There is no end to learning; we must continue to adapt to the evolving changes around us,” he said. He expressed hope that more educational institutions will be established in the North East in line with the goal of a developed and progressive India.

The exhibition presents the educational history of the region through a range of materials from the National Archives of India, the Department of Higher Education and State Archives of Nagaland, the Department of Art and Culture, and other government sources. It covers indigenous traditions, missionary influence, colonial-era policies and modern state initiatives, offering a chronological and thematic account of how education has developed in response to social and political change.

The event aims to raise public awareness about the value of archival preservation and its role in safeguarding the cultural and educational heritage of the North East for future generations.

Earlier, Minister Along inaugurated the exhibition, launched a digital version and a brochure, and toured the displays.

The inaugural programme was chaired by Dr. Devendra Kumar Sharma, Assistant Director of the National Archives of India and curator of the exhibition. Secretary of Higher and Technical Education Sarita Yadav delivered the welcome address, while Ex-Officio Director of Higher Education V Lovitoly Sema gave the vote of thanks.