Officers urged to strike balance between modernity and culture

TR Zeliang with DC of Peren, Hiazu Meru, and other officials during the 8th general conference of ZOAN at the DC's conference hall at New Peren district headquarters on Saturday.

• DIMAPUR — Expounding on the inevitable ever evolving modernisation, Deputy Chief Minister and minister in-charge of Planning and Transformation and National Highway, TR Zeliang, called upon the officers to strike a balance between modernity and preservation of rich traditions, language and heritage, which define their identity saying, “if we lose it, we lose ourselves.”
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• He stated this during the concluding session of a two-day 8th general conference of the Zeliang Officers’ Association Nagaland (ZOAN) held at the DC’s conference hall in Peren district headquarters on Saturday.
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• "While we must live in the present and plan for the future, we must also pause to honour our past- a past illuminated by trailblazers who sets benchmarks for generations to come. It is also important to retrospect and reflect on how and where our people have been and where we are today, and make a comparative study," a DIPR report has quoted Zeliang as saying.
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• In this regard, he urged the officers to lead the way and also called upon each one of them to preserve and help the Zeliang culture from being diluted with inaccurate narration or addition and omission of the age-old practices.

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• On youth empowerment, he stated that youth are the greatest asset, yet many wander without direction. He, therefore, urged the officers to ensure that the younger generation has access to equality education, skill development and employment opportunities.
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• He mentioned that the Polytechnic Institute and the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) established at the extended district headquarters is non-functional due to zero-enrollment of students. He requested the deputy commissioner to take initiative in collaboration with ZOAN and work out a strategy to create awareness among the youth so that they could be trained and made employable either in government or private sector.
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• Zeliang also expressed concern on low human settlement at the extended district headquarters despite the DC’s office and other offices been shifted to the site more than a decade ago. He expressed anguish to note that the infrastructures are unattended and deteriorating due to non-occupation of structures.
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• In this regard, he urged the deputy commissioner to prioritise allotment of plot to local officers and staff in order to transform the district headquarters into a thriving model township.
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• Stating that the young generation looks up to the officers for direction and guidance, he appealed to mentor the youth in the best possible way. He also appealed to guide and inspire the next generation to take up leadership roles.
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• “If we can learn and work together, we can be more productive and take our people forward in a better direction,” Zeliang said and called upon the gathering for better coordination between the elected members of the district and officers serving in various departments.
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• In conclusion, he encouraged the officers to strengthen the community bonds and work together, transcending differences for a brighter future so that “we will see that we are second to none and our bonds as brothers and sisters and as community will become stronger.”
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• Meanwhile, installation prayer for the new executives of ZOAN for the tenure 2025-2027 was offered by the executive secretary of LBA, Rev. Wichampau Nchang.
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• The new team would led by Keyirangding Hegui, additional deputy commissioner of Peren, as president and Peihau Nsarangbe, assistant director of Art and Culture Department, as general secretary.
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• Other officials included Kewizun Zeliang as vice president, Samuel Newmai as joint secretary, Kuheirang as finance secretary, Namdigwang Kuame as treasurer. The executive members are Samzaiyile Hega, Volie Rentta and Namrenbe.