Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 22 (EMN):The Rengma Officers’ Forum conducted its 18th general meeting on June 22 in the town hall of Tseminyu in Kohima district.
The advisor for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, R Khing, who attended the occasion as a “special guest,” addressed the event.
The legislator encouraged the members to give their best in all that they do.
‘Think big, have a vision, explore your potentials, and give your best in own level,’ he said.
Khing, who served as the first president of the forum, urged the officers to be sincere in their work. While urging them to do their best for the welfare of the people, he warned them against having ‘lackadaisical attitude’ toward their duties in various offices.
As government servants, he said told the officer and participants, one must think high and be more responsible in executing plans and be able to perform better than others.
Likewise, the legislator advised them to accomplish their responsibilities and to let others see their work.
The president of the forum, Pollem Tep, gave the presidential address at the programme. He said the members of the organisation are equally responsible for the development of the area. He called upon the officers to come together and invest their best for the welfare and development of the society.
Tep expressed belief that the Rengma community has been contributing ‘proportionately’ according to their own capacity in the state.
Yet, one should not compromise the quality of performance in whatever work they engage in, Tep added.
‘When education was made free and compulsory in the government schools, the public put their trust on private schools. Now, about 80% of parents send their children to private schools by paying exorbitant fees beyond their means.’
The president was of the view that it is the duty of the officers’ forum to educate parents in the rural areas. That way, even those with low income can access education, the participants were told.
Also, retired director of the Geology and Mining department Wanthang Rengma spoke on behalf of retired members of the forum.
Rengma was of the opinion that lack of a strong economy, development, and backwardness in the sub-division was ‘because of the lack of leaders’ in the area. He blamed officers for not doing their job.
The lack of leadership, he said, was because ‘we are not able to live a righteous live.’ He urged the leaders of the area to be courageous and to encourage one another. Further, Rengma blamed members of the forum for lacking in competitive spirit and ‘encouragement’, which he said in turn led to unemployment among the people.
‘Our culture and lifestyle have to be re-activated and one needs to develop self-dependence,’ he added.
Rengma also advised youths against using mobile phones excessively. He urged them to change from such ‘habits.’
The additional deputy commissioner of Tseminyu, Nokchasashi, spoke at the event too. He called upon the officers to let their forum be an activity-based platform and not a forum for the sake of being a forum.
Being an elite group of the community, he felt they can bring change and development to the society. He sought cooperation from the people for a smooth administration of the division in future.
Currently there are about 307 members in the forum, while 26 members retired this year. The members also observed a minute silence for their colleagues who have passed on.
During the meeting, the officers also felicitated toppers of the high school leaving certificate examinations from the Tseminyu sub-division area.
