Zunheboto town turns 75; public celebration coincides with the Sumi festival Ahuna
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Sumi youths perform a cultural dance during an event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Zunheboto township on Monday. The occasion coincided with the Ahuna festival. Photo: Chief minister’s office[/caption]
Dimapur, Nov. 13 (EMN): As it turned platinum, Zunheboto town on Monday hosted what was stated to be a “mammoth gathering” of its residents and invitees at the town’s public ground – a celebration that coincided with Ahuna, the Sumi festival.
The double-layered celebration had Chief Minister TR Zeliang as chief guest, according to a press statement from the chief minister’s office. “A spirited people, Sumi’s (sic) are known for their courage, dash and boldness and Zunheboto has produced many well-known Naga leaders.
“He urged the people to strengthen their resolve and look ahead to the future with renewed understanding and hope. As Zunheboto town marches on to its next milestone of 100 years in another 25 years time, the Sumi people should be agents of transformation so that Zunheboto town will turn into a role model of a 21st century town with an enlightened citizenry,” the statement quoted Zeliang.
The chief minister suggested that Zunheboto should be called ‘land of peace and prosperity’, even as it has been called ‘land of warriors’. “It is an occasion to rejoice and jubilate...this is the time to look back and recall the sacrifices made by the founding fathers 75 years ago”.
While extending Ahuna greetings, Zeliang shared: “Like our forefathers, may we continue to nurture the soil of our land and practice hard work, honesty and integrity in our everyday life”.
He also recalled how Zunheboto had transformed ‘from a tiny hamlet to that of an ADC sub-division in 1958 and subsequently, a full-fledged district in December 1973’ over the years. Zeliang lauded the Sumi people’s ‘great capacity to mix freely’ with others.
“Zunheboto is uniquely located in the heart of Nagaland, thus sharing traditional boundaries with other Naga tribes like Angamis, Aos, Chakhesangs, Changs, Lothas, Rengmas, Sangtams and Yimchungers. Likewise, in the western and northern Sumi areas, they share common boundaries with Zeliangs, Kukis, Kacharis, Karbis, Pochury and Assamese except Konyak, Khiamniungan and Phom.
“Such geographical proximity with different tribes has allowed the Sumi’s (sic) a unique position in terms of inter-tribal relationship- building among communities, thereby being harbingers of creating harmonious co-existence over long periods of time”.
The chief minister reminded that out of the 2000 Naga members in the Labour Corps during the Great War, 1000 were from the Sumi community.
“When we talk about the Naga National Movement, it was our Sumi brothers who took the lead and were in (sic) the forefront from the very start of the movement till today. Consequently the sacrifices made by them for the Naga cause is undeniable and legendary”.
Zeliang appealed ‘our Sumi brothers’ to support the collective efforts towards resolving the Naga issue. “Why I say this is because the GOI (government of India) and NSCN (IM) have been in talks for a fairly long time and today the 6 NNPGs have also entered into dialogue with the govt. of India. This is, therefore, considered the most opportune time for us Nagas and the govt. of India to resolve the over 6 decades old Naga political issue once and for all.”
Despite of challenges as a ‘multi-tribal society’, he told the gathering, all Nagas should view the Naga issue with a sense of oneness and togetherness. “We have suffered together and we shall triumph together. The fact that different factions and armed groups have come together seeking solution to the Naga political issue is indeed a very encouraging move.”
He asked ‘the civil societies’ to facilitate the ‘coming together of the different political groups and join in our common pursuit for permanent peace’.
The chief minister unveiled the monolith to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Zunheboto town.
Cabinet ministers, advisers, parliamentary secretaries, MLAs, SP Zunheboto, president of Ao Senden, president of Sumi Hoho, pioneers and former DCs, state government officials were present at the celebration, it informed.
