Staff Reporter
Dimapur, April 11
Dimapur is set to receive a community square in the form of the Ao Senden Riju (roughly, ‘Ao Morung’). Located at Purana Bazar, the structure is in the form of a traditional Naga dormitory. Apparently unutilized for a considerable period, the site of the morung is a regular sight for motorists.
The proposed community square is the brainchild of the Ao Senso Telongjem and handed over to the Ao Lanur Telongjem. The present Ao Senden Riju is a small community morung which accommodates about 200 people. The space had been generally unused most of the time although the area is spacious enough to cater to various social activities.
Sensing the need to revamp the area for better use, the Ao Senso Telongjem called for immediate attention to restoring the unattended square. To restore the area, the Ao Lanur Telongjem organized lottery draw in 2015 and generated about Rs.40 lakh in funds.
With the funds, construction of a new multipurpose building was initiated. The project stands at a height of 25 ft at 80/150 to accommodate about 2000 people. This was revealed by a member of the Ao Senso Telongjem during an inspection to the site by media persons on Monday, April 11.
The land spread to about 10 bigas. Project managers are envisaging developmental projects in the form of a recreational park, a swimming pool and besides additions for a folk music academy.
The project started in the month of January 2016 and is expected to be completed by this year. It may be noted that the foundation stone for the Ao Senden Riju was laid by former Nagaland chief minister and current governor of Odisha SC Jamir on May 2, 1995. The site was donated by former minister of Forest Imtisunget Jamir and former minister for co-operation late I Nungshi Longkumer. The site was inaugurated by former governor of Nagaland OP Sharma on May 1, 1999.
The existing Ao Senden Riju will house a mini-conference hall, it is envisaged.
Although construction works are in progress, fund constraints are in the way of restoration as projected by the team. The unique project was conceived and crowd-funded by the Ao community through private donations and fundraising for which the organizers are, nonetheless, grateful.
