Morung Express News
Kohima | December 1
While Nagas have been hugely impacted by the legacy of the British colonial rule in terms of social and administration aspects, the contributions of the Americans in Naga society was duly acknowledged during the commemoration of the World AIDS Day on December 1.
The 30th World AIDS Day was commemorated in Kohima at the High School Junction on December 1 under the universal theme ‘Live Life Positively. Know your HIV Status’, with Kenneth I Juster, US Ambassador to India as the Chief Guest and S. Pangnyu Phom, Minister of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) as the Chief Patron.
Speaking on the occasion, I Himato Zhimomi, Principal Secretary the Department of Health and Family Welfare and the Chairman of Nagaland State AIDS Control Society maintained that it is not just in the spiritual realm that Americans have impacted but also through intervention on the Health sector
“Most of us will recall that it is the American missionaries which brought light to us in our world. And it is very befitting for us that on this occasion we are graced by the presence of US Ambassador. We are reminded about the socio-religious historical perspectives that we grew up in. The roots of Christianity for the Nagas come from the United States,” said Zhimomi.
However, it is not just the spiritual realm that Americans have impacted, he said, viewing that in the physical aspect the US continues contribute through the Health sector.
With Nagaland still struggling with the “HIV and AIDS pandemic,” Zhimomi stated that the US again in the physical world is a partner with the Nagas through various forms of funding in the past and present such as the Melinda and Bill Gates foundation, US President’s Fund for AIDS Relief, which reaches Nagaland through various agencies.
“In this multifaceted relation that we have with the US, health sector is one sector where they have been with us,” he added expressing gratitude to the US Ambassador for their efforts in Nagaland.
