The Kohima DPDB meeting highlights issues concerning the rejection of traditional Naga names on national digital platforms like the SNA system.
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DIMAPUR — The Kohima District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meeting was held at the DPDB Hall in Kohima on Wednesday.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairman of DPDB Kohima, B Henok Buchem, in the presence of Chairman of DPDB and Member of Legislative Assembly Kevipodi Sophie.
According to an update, during the meeting, a significant concern regarding the non-recognition of traditional Naga naming conventions in national digital systems was highlighted.
Presenting the issue, District Agriculture Officer of Kohima, Kekhrieletuo Yhome, drew attention to the challenges faced by Naga communities due to the rejection of certain characters, particularly the commonly used ‘ü’ and ‘-o’ components, in names on national portals such as the Single Nodal Agency system.
He explained that names among Naga communities are not merely identifiers but carry deep cultural, emotional, and spiritual significance.
“Names are given by parents and elders with meaning, affection, and a sense of identity. Altering them strips away their essence,” he stated.
Yhome pointed out that when such characters are not accepted by digital systems, individuals are compelled to modify their names to comply with technical requirements. While temporary manual corrections are currently possible, he cautioned that increasing automation in the future may eliminate such flexibility, potentially excluding many individuals from accessing services.
He further noted that altering names can lead to unintended consequences, including the distortion of gender identity. In some cases, female names may change into male equivalents when specific characters are removed or replaced, leading to confusion in official records.
Highlighting broader implications, Yhome said the issue affects multiple Naga communities, with many individuals already forced to alter their names in official documents, often resulting in a loss of original meaning and cultural relevance.
Key concerns raised included emotional distress due to loss of identity, administrative complications arising from mismatched documents, and legal challenges in areas such as banking, property ownership, and travel. He warned that inconsistencies in documentation could also create difficulties during verification processes, including passport applications and international travel.
He stressed that the problem could have long-term consequences, particularly for younger generations, if not addressed at the policy level, and urged authorities to accommodate indigenous naming systems in national databases.
Meanwhile, President of the Voluntary Blood Donors Association of Nagaland (VBDAN), Burakum, outlined ongoing efforts to promote voluntary blood donation in the state. He informed that VBDAN, established in 2011, has organised over 80 voluntary blood donation camps in collaboration with various organisations and institutions.
Burakum noted that Nagaland requires around 20,000 units of blood annually, with the Kohima district alone needing over 3,600 units. He stressed the need for stronger district administrative support, inter-departmental coordination, and financial assistance to expand donation drives. He also highlighted a mobile application developed to connect donors and recipients, aimed at improving emergency response.
Following deliberations, the DPDB decided to organise a blood donation camp on May 13. All DPDB members, along with at least five additional participants each, have been requested to come forward and donate. Further details will be finalised in due course.
Extra Assistant Commissioner Dr. Riku announced that the Census of India 2027 will be conducted in a fully digital mode, with self-enumeration scheduled from June 15 to the 30th, followed by house-to-house surveys from July 1 to the 30th.
He highlighted the roles of charge officers, enumerators, and supervisors, noting that areas will be divided into blocks of 700 to 800 households. Training and awareness initiatives will be undertaken to ensure smooth implementation.
The Food and Civil Supplies Department also presented an overview of its functioning and the implementation of the National Food Security Act.
District Civil Supply Officer of Kohima, Metsisieto Zhasa, stated that the primary objective is to ensure food security through the Public Distribution System by providing subsidised food grains to eligible beneficiaries.
Under the National Food Security Act, Priority Household and Antyodaya Anna Yojana cardholders receive allocated food grains, currently provided free of cost by the Government of India. Distribution has been streamlined through digitisation, with ePOS devices and Aadhaar-based authentication ensuring transparency.
In the Kohima district, food grains are supplied through designated depots and distributed via fair-price shops, covering over 90,000 beneficiaries.
Zhasa also highlighted the ongoing e-KYC drive to verify beneficiaries and ensure that only eligible households receive benefits.