NPP observes foundation day, remembers Sangma

Dimapur, Sept. 1 (EMN): The National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland observed its first foundation day on Sept. 1 at Hotel Saramati in Dimapur, with NPP Meghalaya working president, SB Sangma as the guest speaker. Sangma in his address shared that the party founder Purno Agitok Sangma who was also a recipient of Padma Vibhushan came from a poor family but he was someone who lived for others, who always stood up for the minorities and raised concern for their welfare. “Lt. Sangma has worn many caps during his four decade long political career as cabinet minister, Chief Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker. Sangma, though hailing from a small village in Garo Hills in Meghalaya had championed the cause of not only the constituency he represented in the Parliament but for the entire nation. Thus, Sangma’s core philosophy was to be the voice of the unheard, vulnerable and the minorities in India”, reminded the guest speaker to the party workers. NPP state general secretary and People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) member, Sasank Ghatraj in his welcome speech mentioned that the NPP foundation day was observed in other districts in Nagaland and also in other parts of India. He reminded that Sept. 1 was not only the foundation day but also the birth anniversary of the party founder late PA Sangma. State party president, Ato Yepthomi in the presidential address remarked the day an auspicious day for the party in Nagaland which will go down in the history of the NPP. He stated that the party founder was a statesman from the Northeast who was well known and respected all over India. Yepthomi asserted that a political party with dedicated members and workers were like a house with a strong foundation and mentioned that the NPP family was a small political party but it comprised of dedicated workers and members. “As a NPP family we will all have ups and downs but to have patience and to work hard was what the party workers need to focus”, he exhorted. Yepthomi maintained that the party was growing fast in a short span of time and that it was the only tribal party to be recognised in India. He urged the party workers to acknowledge the senior leaders by interacting and communicating with them consistently. State youth president, Sethrongkyu H mentioned that the party has grown strength by strength and that NPP was the only national party in India for tribal to come together especially for the people of Northeast to come under one umbrella. Maintaining that the NPP was giving an opportunity for the people of Nagaland and Northeast to have a voice in Lok Sabha, he urged the party workers and members work together to make NPP a powerful party and one day form the government in the state. “NPP as a new party has successfully contested and form a govt. in Meghalaya while the party was a party for the development of tribal culture and people,” stated state party president women wing Yashila Imchen. A video message by Meghalaya CM and NPP national president Conrad Sangma was telecast at the event. In his message, he cited that one should remember all the contribution made for the tribal and for the Northeast by its founder Sangma and that on this day, only the good points and values need to be recalled. He urged all the party workers and members to pledge to carry on the good work started by the party founder. The event was marked with an Ao traditional ballad by Ako Longkumer, Amazing Grace song by state working president Ringo Odyuo and cultural dance by the Garo Union Dimapur.