Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 24 (EMN): The 29th biennial general conference of the Angami Students' Union (ASU) got underway at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, on April 24. The occasion also marked the commemoration of 75th years of Kohima sub-division students' conference and 50th years of ASU.
Speaking as the inaugural guest, the Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio urged students from the Angami Naga tribe to become valuable assets to the society rather than becoming a liability.
He encouraged students to work hard and maintain discipline saying “The knowledge acquired during this period will help lead the way in the future.” He also urged the students to prepare themselves for the various challenges that might come along and not regret later in life.
While highlighting poor academic performances of government schools in the state, Rio has suggested the need for transformation in the system stating that students should not be deprived of the right to education.
Also stating that the present generations are still lagging behind in terms of education and sense of responsibility, Rio has sought a collective effort of all the stakeholders to prevent the system from collapsing.
Rio also appealed to all those, who are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, to seize the opportunity. He expressed disappointment at the low turn-out of beneficiaries of the Covid vaccine.
“Around 15% of the people in the state have been vaccinated so far,” he said and urged students to also create awareness about the vaccination.
ASU president, Vizokho Zashümo, in his presidential address, urged the student community to reflect upon the natural Angami Naga ways of life and norms to enable the “real essence of doing what is wrong even if everybody is doing it and the principled ways of not doing what is wrong even if everybody is doing it”.
He also asked the students to ponder upon what the students as individuals could do for the society.
Kesosul Christopher Ltu, convenor of the organising committee, in his address expressed, hoped that the concerned would bring about unity among the Naga tribes—especially through the cultural exchanges. He also urged the gathering to not only reflect on the past but to also forward to the future.
Extending greetings, the first vice president of the Kohima sub-division students’ conference, Rev. Beilie-ü Shüya, encouraged the Angami students to preserve the tradition of wearing traditional attires. The 93 year-old man also motivated the students to respect the traditions and way of life of the Angami Naga tribe.
President of Angami Public Organisation (APO), Kepelhousie Terhuja, while extending greetings, hoped that the Angami tribe would continue to maintain a cordial relationship with the other Naga tribes. He also encouraged the present generation not to give up on anything and to turn their pain into blessings.
Also speaking on the occasion, the president of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Ninoto Awomi, urged the students to be responsible in contributing towards the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
He further encouraged the students not to think of easy success but to work hard and have the vision, determination, and accept the challenges in order to make a positive difference in society.
Cultural sessions, competitions of indigenous games, and debates were held in the afternoon. The conference would culminate on Sunday.