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Kudapfüko presenting a song during the Tuophemia Teisozha on Saturday at Tuophema.[/caption]
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Neiphiu Rio speaking during the programme[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec. 29 (EMN): It was a community get-together for Tuophema villagers on Dec. 29 as they celebrated the 13th Tuophemia Teisozha (day) at Tuophezou Dahou in the village. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was the ‘key speaker of the day.’
Addressing the people of Tuophema, Rio urged them to keep in mind how blessed they were to be of Tuophema. He thanked God for bringing everyone together to the event. He attributed the pioneers and visionary leaders for the “level of success of the village to this day.”
He said that every citizen should contribute to the welfare of the community. “We have to think we are one,” he said.
Although the government has recognised each of these villages differently—Razhaphe, Razhaphe Basa, Tuophe Phezou, and Botsa—Rio urged the people to keep in mind that “there is no boundary for our land” and that such government initiative should not divide them. “We have to work hard for unity and peace among us,” Rio added.
The chief minister also asserted that differences in choices of political affiliations should not cause disputes within and among family members. Stating that clashes among family members have occurred due to differences in political allegiance, Rio said one should be matured enough to respect each other’s choice instead of ‘fighting’ among them.
Urging the villagers to live a healthy life, Rio encouraged them to take care of their health. He warned them about the excessive use of alcohol.
‘It is pertinent to build a strong foundation in order to compete with others in the age of competition,’ he maintained. The chief minister was of the view that parents should consider sending their kids to hostels rather than letting them stay independently.
‘In hostels one gets to learn, to maintain strict discipline and follow the rules, which, will probably be of benefit to students,’ the CM suggested.
Rio also urged the people to conserve the community forests and restrict any kind of hunting activities in order to preserve the flora and fauna of the region.
Conversely, he said that the people should at rive to preserve the traditions and cultures of the forefathers. He encouraged the people to visit the rural museums and other tourist spots in the village.
Rio went on to advice the people to maintain a clean environment and avoid polluting the areas with plastic materials.
As a tourist village, ‘we should maintain our own set of standards,’ he remarked. Further, he announced to sponsor those who can best maintain and preserve the culture and traditions of the community.
Pressing on the need to set an example for the rest of the community, Rio encouraged the people to uplift the name of the village via their good deeds. “Let others know Tuophema for its goodness,” Rio concluded.
Advisor to Tuophema Village Council (TVC), Phrenyümo Seyie in his greetings thanked God for all his blessings upon the people of Tuophema.
Pfuduolhou Kense, the chairman of Tuophema village council gave an overview of the day. He said that Hutuophezou Day is an event held once every five years. It is an occasion of get-together as well as census enumeration of the descendants of Tuophema village. All the diaspora of Tuophema village particularly from Razhaphe, Razhaphe Basa, Tuophe Phezou, and Botsa villages, from Kohima and Dimapur attend the occasion, Kense informed.
