Dimapur, Dec. 17 (EMN): The advisor for Sericulture, Excise & Minority Affairs, Zhaleo Rio has commended the Kuki community in Nagaland, saying that it may be a minority tribe in Nagaland but ‘a majority among the minority.’ He noted their sacrifice and record in the ‘Naga political issue,’ updates stated.
Rio attended the 29th general conference of the Kuki Students’ Organisation of Nagaland as the event’s special guest on December 17 at Moava village in Medziphema sub-division of Dimapur district .
The media secretary of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party’s 5th Ghaspani-II assembly constituency unit gave updates on Tuesday informing about the programme.
Addressing the event, Zhaleo Rio was quoted as having said that he was honoured and amazed at the number of award recipients in the community. They are the hidden treasures of the society, he said.
Many of the participants received awards for outstanding achievements in education, and college and university, besides being ‘young distinguished job holders etc,’ the press release stated.
“The Kuki community may be a minority tribe in Nagaland but that they are also a majority among the minority,” Zhaleo said. He noted their sacrifice and record in the ‘Naga political issue’ and reiterated that the Kuki tribe is a recognised tribe in Nagaland.
On issues concerning the preservation of traditions and culture, Rio told the gathering that they are important to the identity of the community, and urged for their adequate promotion through various platforms.
Citing the Hornbill festival as an example for such purposes, the advisor affirmed it to be youth-oriented and farmer friendly ‘although the common notion may vary among individuals.’
Rio also noted the theme of the conference “Honouring the past, treasuring the future and shaping the future,” as impressive. They should continue to encourage youngsters to inculcate the rich cultural heritage etc, he said. Elaborating on it, he mentioned that “to honour the past is to learn one’s history and to know your roots.” On the aspect of treasuring the present, he said, “We should introspect or retrospect on our present activities accordingly” which when set in order, will all help in shaping the future.
The advisor also said that the Nagaland government today was emphasising on communitisation policies which are solely to empower the rural people. He told the gathering that everyone should work toward successful implementation of the policies.
On the issue of Citizenship Amendment Bill, Rio assured that Nagaland is exempted from the Act and said that “it will not affect us since we are covered by ILP of BEFR Act 1873.” Nonetheless, he added that vested interests may continue to create disturbances through propaganda in order to gain political mileage. He urged everyone to “be united for unbiased, fair judgement every time so that we prosper with a brighter vision of the Naga society,” the press release added.