Minister Tongpang Ozukum inaugurates the 69th edition of Ao Students’ Conference (Ao Kaketshir Mungdang) at Akhoya village, Mokokchung on January 18. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Akhoya | January 18
The 69th edition of Ao Students’ Conference (Ao Kaketshir Mungdang) got underway with Tongpang Ozukum, Minister, Housing & Mechanical, Government of Nagaland as the inaugural guest at Akhoya village, Mokokchung on January 18.
The conference began with the hoisting of AKM and six federating units- Asetkong, Jangpetkong, Japukong, Langpangkong, Ongpangkong and Tzurangkong flags by its respective presidents and opening presentation by the Akhoya Shisaluyimer Telongjem. Rev T Lanu, Pastor, Akhoya Baptist Church led the delegates for a devotion and prayer before the commencement of the formal programme.
Minister Tongpang Ozukum as the inaugural guest in his speech talked about the first newspaper in Nagaland, Ao Milen which started in 1932. He urged the AKM to work towards the enhancement of its subscribers as a vision for the 100 years celebration of AKM and to further work towards making it a voice of the Ao people.
He also talked about the condition and position of Mokokchung Law College, the brainchild of AKM. He encouraged the AKM to work towards the revival of the institution stating that something which our parents have created should not be left to die unattended. He emphasized on the promotion of Ao language stating that in 74 years since the creation of the Ao Literature Board, we were able to introduce Ao as an honours subject only in 2023 at Fazl Ali College. He challenged the AKM to make it an effort to introduce master degree and PhD in Ao and also to introduce Ao subject in at least three colleges in Nagaland.
Imnatiba, Advisor, Industries & Commerce, Labour & Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of Nagaland gave a brief exhortation while R Sunep Pongen, President, Central Nagaland Students’ Association brought greetings.
Akhoya Putu Menden gave the welcome address while Onenpong, Information and Publicity secretary gave a brief introduction where he mentioned that 1357 delegates from six ranges and 18 sub-units and five colleges in Mokokchung district were attending the conference.
The 69th AKM conference will conclude on January 20.
