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Vilelie Khamo, right, after receiving the Classic Award for 2018 in Kohima on Tuesday.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 2 (EMN): Businessman and class-I contractor, Vilelie Khamo was honoured with Classic Award 2018 at Kohima on Tuesday in recognition of his philanthropic contributions to uplift the lesser privileged section of the Naga society.
The Classic Award was instituted by the Classic Club Kohima in 1999 to honour the contributions of individuals and organisations towards the welfare of the society in the areas of sports, social service, education, health service and humanitarian works.
The previous 12 recipients of the Classic Award were Dr. T Ao (posthumously), Neichülieü Nikki Haralu, singer and composer Methaneilie Jütakhrie, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, Dr. Joyce Z Zinyü, Geoffrey Yaden, Kughaho Chishi, Nancy Kikon, Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Vilasa Thapo, Chekrovolü Swüro, Major (Dr.) Neikhrietuonuo Ginuo Linyu, and Banuo Z Jamir.
Khamo, who is widely known as a self-made business tycoon though born to illiterate parents, is said to have had interest in business from an early age. The Classic Club’s profile on him reveals that he engaged in menial works to finance his studies but ultimately had to give up after passing the sixth standard due to financial constraints.
His first taste of success in business was when he borrowed money and bought five litres of kerosene for INR 4 in Kohima before selling the same for INR 7. However, he got the breakthrough when he was given INR 6642-worth contract to construct a culvert by the PWD, which he completed within the short stipulated time. Officials were said to be impressed by his grit and awarded him bigger contracts which propelled his business by ‘leaps and bounds’.
An interesting account on Khamo’s life shared during the award ceremony at Japfü Hotel was that he, as a young taxi driver, had chauffeured the then prime minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi to lay the foundation stone of the Indira Gandhi Stadium, “blissfully unaware that one day he would be the contractor of that very stadium.”
The Classic Club, through the award, acknowledged Khamo’s works and recognised his humanitarian spirit and outstanding contribution towards the uplift of the lesser privileged community.
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker, Vikho-o Yhoshü, who was the special guest at the event, lauded the Classic Club for encouraging people to ‘do good to others.’ He said it was very apt that a person like Khamo, with his ‘unique life examples’, his yeomen and social services, was being acknowledged on a day when the entire nation was observing the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who had championed the cause of peace and social service.
Yhoshü described Khamo as a ‘self-made man who worked hard, doing things that others did not want to do, to becoming a man of humility, peace and wisdom’.
“From a humble background, who had struggled in legendary ways and coming up against all odds, — today, despite of the status he has earned, he still remains the same - down to earth, with the wisdom of the ages. His benevolence and charities transcend beyond borders and definitions. His life is the greatest inspiration and encouragement to all of us and the coming generations. We all are fortunate to have him in our lifetime,” Yhoshü stated.
In his acceptance speech, Khamo said he was deeply humbled and grateful for being selected for the highly acclaimed award. He expressed that while he always stuck to the motto ‘what you do should speak for you,’ there had been challenges and he failed many a times. However, stating he would treasure the recognition, Khamo asserted that he would always use the award as an ‘alarm and guidance compass.’
The president of Classic Club, K Neibou Sekhose, said that the ceremony was being organised on the 24th foundation day of the club, and as a launching event for a yearlong ‘silver jubilee’ celebration of the club.
The Classic Club also marked the launch of its celebration by donating INR 50,000 to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Sekhose highlighted the various programmes to be undertaken by the club during the yearlong celebration which include: renovation of assets created by the club like Classic Island in Kohima, marketing shed, resting shed, Chaügei Park, and the traditional gate at Y-junction in Kohima; sponsor five under-privileged children; strengthen orphanage library; celebrate Christmas with orphanage, old age home etc.; tour 11 districts of Nagaland to propagate the message of peace; concert for the cause of lesser privileged children; award to 3 best NGOs; Classic Award 2019 and the grand culmination of the ‘silver jubilee’ to coincide with the grand finale of the annual Classic Cup 2019.