Minister of PHED Jacob Zhimomi exhorts students on the second day of the 42nd general conference of AASU.
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DIMAPUR — The second day of the 42nd general conference of the Aqahuto Area Students’ Union (AASU) was attended by Minister of PHED Jacob Zhimomi as the chief guest.
The three-day conference held on the theme ‘Thrive in transition’ at Pimla village, Chümoukedima district, will conclude on January 11.
In his address, the chef guest urged students to preserve and sustain the cultures and traditions of the Sumi community and the Nagas as a whole.
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Zhimomi expressed concern that many youngsters today are unable to speak fluent Sumi, observing that while elders can understand the words spoken by the younger generation, the language often lacks fluency and refinement. He encouraged students to make conscious efforts to speak Sumi fluently and confidently.
He stressed that staying true to age-old traditions and rich cultural heritage is key to defining identity.
“It does not matter how wealthy we become or how lavishly we live; the first thing outsiders ask is where we come from and what our practices, identity, and culture are,” the minister stated.
Stressing the importance of cultural continuity, Zhimomi said traditions must be preserved and carried forward through generations. He commended the organisers for including traditional competitions in the programme, describing it as a timely initiative and a necessity for the student community.
The minister also expressed happiness at being among young and bright minds, describing them as individuals “knocking on the door of greatness.”
In the context of a rapidly changing world, he underscored the importance of adaptability, stating that survival depends on the ability to learn and evolve with changing times.
President of the Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO), Medochüzo Medoze, in his greetings message, stated that the event served as a reminder of the long-standing bond shared between the Chakhroma people and the Western Sumi community.
Acknowledging past differences, Medoze said that reconciliation had been made possible through the efforts of visionary leaders who recognised the need to address the past and work collectively to secure a better future for the people.
He noted that the elders had laid a strong foundation, and it was now the responsibility of the present generation to continue building a future grounded in peace, understanding, and collective progress.
He further affirmed the CYO’s unwavering support for unity and cooperation between the Chakhroma Public Organisation and the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH).
Medoze said that the CYO remained committed to serving as ambassadors of peace and unity to ensure that the bond between the communities continued to grow stronger.
Encouraging the students of AASU, Medoze urged them to believe in themselves, dream boldly, and work towards self-improvement with discipline and dedication.
The programme featured a series of traditional competitions, including war cry (Itsa Kuxu), fire making (Amikukla), and couple traditional show (Atüna Kupu).
Earlier, AASU president N Sumika Swu welcomed the gathering with his presidential address, while the invocation was delivered by Paul Chophy, pastor of Vihuto Village Baptist Church. A Thighale performance was presented by the women’s cultural troupe of Pimla Village Sumi Totimi Loka.