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Kuki youths of Molvom village receive member of the Lok Sabha Neiphiu Rio at the Mimkut festival at Molvum village, in Dimapur district, on Jan. 17.[/caption]
Dimapur, Jan. 17 (EMN): Member of the Lok Sabha Neiphiu Rio has said that his ‘return to state politics’ has its birth in the appeals of the people who he said were now mired in ‘chaos.’ His foremost priority, the former chief minister of Nagaland told a community celebration in Dimapur recently, is the Naga political issue a permanent solution to which he will be steadfast in working to bring about.
A press release issued by the press secretary of the NPF’s 5th Ghaspani-II assembly constituency on Wed. offered details about his address to the Kuki community’s celebration of the post-harvest festival Mimkut on Jan. 17 at Molvum village. The member of Parliament was the chief guest of the celebration, it was informed. He was accompanied by a host of dignitaries including his brother the legislator Zhaleo Rio, and leaders of the party besides social workers.
Speaking his mind on politics, the updates stated, Rio affirmed that ‘the Naga political issue is his first priority’ and that ‘although we are at crossroads’ today, he would ‘remain steadfast to bringing about unity and a permanent solution on the issue for the Naga people.’
Rio was stated to have revealed in his speech that he was returning to state politics ‘as an obligation to requests from public in the midst of all the present chaos while envisioning all-round development for the people.’ He has sought the support of everyone in bringing about unity among the Naga people’ by ‘forgiving one another with God’s blessings in order to prosper for a brighter tomorrow,’ he was quoted as having told the gathering.
The former chief minister also referenced community traditions, especially of the Kuki community who he said has vibrant traditions and culture preserved through the ages by their forefathers. He said that the preservation and promotion of one’s culture was ‘compulsory for identity in history.’
The Lok Sabha member lauded the role of Kuki pioneers in the “Naga political scenario” also as the press release put it. ‘Rio noted that Lenjang Kuki, interpreter, was the 18th signatory of the first Naga memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929 and as such, “you have equal right, equal participation to Naga history because you live in the Naga hills regardless of being a minority among Nagas.”’
Neiphiu Rio spoke also about the ‘our economy.’ Rio rued the ‘deteriorating condition of work culture’ which he explained had now led the people into a place of dependence on the government. In the process, Nagaland has become a ‘salary economy’ or ‘consumer state,’ he explained. “The MP left no stone unturned to reveal that many people proudly claim to be doing nothing but which otherwise mean, ‘If you are not doing anything, you are not good for anything.’”
Nonetheless, the government leader lauded the ‘practice of work culture’ in Molvum ‘which has notably led to recognition of the village as pineapple village.’ He has emphasised on skilled training for preservation, packaging and export, etc., which he said should be incorporated for overall improvement of the economy at the village level.
Speaking more about economic dividends, the updates said that Rio referred to ‘the promise of rich economic returns from cottage industries, especially handloom and handicrafts, wherein the village womenfolk can pursue additional income through these ventures, weaving for all Naga tribes instead of their own people.’ This, he was quoted as having said, ‘can be a boost, not only in finance but also in the knowledge sector once children are able to attend better schools through such income.’
“Our soil is so fertile that any seed will grow anywhere, but there can never be any harvest without work culture,” he said. The press release added that he went on to assure them of help toward ‘becoming examples for others as they have the basic character of work culture.’