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Kipili Sangtam addressing the closing function of the Poang Lum festival in Tuensang.[/caption]
Dimapur, Jan. 16: The Poang Lum celebrations, organized by the Chang Khulei Setshang (Chang Tribal Council), concluded on January 13 at Loyem Memorial Ground in Tuensang town.
Minster for Power Kipili Sangtam was the chief guest of the event. Koiwang Konyak, the president of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization (ENPO) was the guest of honour.
Member of the legislative assembly CM Chang, director of the government’s Music Task force Gugs Chishi, and other dignitaries attended the programme.
Addressing the event, Minister Kipili Sangtam advised the Tuensang community, being the oldest district in the eastern Nagaland region and especially the Chang community, to take the responsibility of maintaining peace and unity in the community.
Nagaland is the only place in the world which has been ‘declared in the name of the Christ as “Nagaland for Christ”’, he said. Therefore, the Naga people should act and live as examples to other peoples, he told the gathering.
The politicians also said that unity was the ‘source of everything’ without which there would be no prosperity and progress for the people or society.
‘Repent, rethink, right attitude and forgiveness are the key elements for peace,’ he explained. Also, he stressed on the need for a ‘matured society for which leaders should also be with matured minds to help change the system.’
Koiwang Konyak, the president of the ENPO, addressed the event. He spoke about ‘frontier Nagaland’ issues for which, he said, peace and unity are the main elements for ‘its success.’ Also, he mentioned the ‘ongoing talks about the municipal council elections.’
Member of legislative assembly CM Chang spoke on the theme “Enveloping peace in oneness.” He advised the gathering to uphold peace and unity and ‘forgive and forget for development and growth of the society.’
Local artistes, the Tetseo Sisters, performed on the first day of the celebrations.
During the closing programme, the deputy commissioner of Tuensang district, Alem Jongshi, was the special guest. Local rock band, Incipit, and other local bands performed during the closing ceremony of Poang Lum.
