Dimapur, Dec. 9 (EMN): A two-day seminar on Tenyidie organised by the literature committee of Razeba public organisation (RPO) at RPO hall, Razeba, concluded on December 7.
The resource persons were Prof. D Kuolie, head of linguistics, Nagaland University; Vipralhou Kesiezie, retired SCERT director and former NPSC member; T Sekhose, SCERT director; Dr. Zavise Rume, associate professor of SCERT Nagaland; and Kekhwengulo Lea, president of Chakhesang public organisation (CPO).
Observing that many families converse in Nagamese at home, Prof. D Kuolie remarked that the Nagamese has become the ‘silent killer of our mother tongue.’ Towards this end, he asserted that “if we have any objective or great aspiration for the wellbeing of the community, we have to promote our language and literature.”
He deliberated on the various scopes of learning and studying Tenyidie adding that it is the only Naga language that is being studied at the Ph.D level. Eight scholars are currently pursuing Ph.D in Tenyidie, he informed.
He further dwelt on the three aspects of language such as home language, street language and language of authority respectively. He also impressed upon that that language has great power and can either connect or divide people.
Vipralhou Kesiezie spoke on the importance of having a common language and stated that a common language for Tenyimia as a group of people will be good.
“We can do great things not only for ourselves but Nagas as a whole,” he said.
Dwelling on the advantages of having a common language, he impressed upon that it gives a feeling of oneness, belongingness, unity, friendship, brotherhood, trust, confidence, courage, also builds vision and plans for big projects as well as build economic power.
Lauding RPO for organising the seminar on Tenyidie, T Sekhose commented that most elderly people of Razeba area knew the Tenyidie language but observed that the young generation is slowly losing touch. He also stated that if they build their foundation on learning Tenyidie, they can also go up to Ph.D level. In this regard, he said only Tenyidie has Ph.D not only in Nagaland but the whole of north east. Stating that there is immense scope for those students pursuing Tenyidie, he encouraged more students to take up the subject.
On day one of the seminar, Kezevinuo Krome chaired the first session while Rekha Rose Dukru chaired the second session. Vizo Pohena, pastor of RBC said the invocation and Khazi Lea, RPO president delivered the concluding remarks.
On day two Dr. Zavise Rume and Kekhwengulo Lea were the resource persons. The sessions were chaired by Deo Movi and Vikholie Venuh respectively. Mozho Krocha, catechist of Catholic Church Razeba said the invocation. Mention may be made here that the seminar was sponsored by SCERT Nagaland.
