[caption id="attachment_284767" align="alignleft" width="320"]
Mhonlumo Kikon addresses the silver jubilee celebrations of the department of sociology, St. Joseph’s College at Jakhama, Kohima district. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 27 (EMN): The department of Sociology of St. Joseph’s College at Jakhama in Kohima celebrated on November 27 it silver jubilee with Mhonlumo Kikon the advisor for Information Technology and Communication, Science and Technology and NRE, attending the occasion as its guest speaker.
Addressing the gathering in the college’s indoor stadium, Kikon maintained that the college, as an autonomous college, can add to their syllabus.
“Nagas can benefit if serious sociological researchers can come out of SJC that can even inform policy making in the state. As a reputed college in Nagaland, SJC can help to bring out students that have employable skills, even sociological skills related instead of only potential candidates for NPSC exams,” the advisor said.
He maintained that many anthropologists during the British made their careers out of doing brilliant ethnographic studies on the Nagas. He added, ‘It is our pride that all those anthropologists went to hold important places in the world of anthropological studies.’
Kikon challenged students to focus on research which will have historical impact on the body of knowledge about the Naga people. He suggested research on various social issues that can be carried out as part of post-graduate curriculum.
The advisor urged the students of sociology to come out with solutions to some of the most pertinent social issues. According to him, ‘Well-researched studies on various social issues confronting to the state could create impact. This will bridge the dis-connect between policymakers and scholars.”
Further, Kikon urged the students to envision a future where governance is aided by technology that eases living rather than being a challenge among youngsters.
Earlier an alumnus, Dr. Kekhrieseno Christina of Kohima College recollected the early days of the sociology department when it was first introduced in the college. She asserted the need for research not only for understanding, or for academic purposes, but its need for posterity and the need for exploring the forgotten narratives besides cultural heritage.
“Our race for knowledge does not end in acquiring degrees and certificates but in its applications,” said Christina.
