Dimapur, January 30 (MExN): The Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) has renounced what it termed as the ‘chief guest culture’ prevailing in Nagaland today. ASTD president, Supu Jamir told the media that the decision to this effect was endorsed at an ASTD general body meeting convened on January 30.
Terming the supposedly dignified nomenclature as being misconceived and reduced to that of a position solely fashioned to extract benefits either in cash or in kind, the ASTD stated that it will no longer encourage the practice among unions or forums affiliated to the ASTD. “This ‘culture’ will not be entertained anymore,” Jamir said, adding that following the January 30 resolution no ASTD units will be permitted to categorise and invite any individual as ‘chief guest’ in any social function that the members may organise.
According to Jamir, this misconceived materialistic notion of expectation more often than not induces an accomplished but not financially well off person to decline invitation to social gatherings the position of ‘chief guest’ notwithstanding. “It is no longer about what the chief guest has to contribute in his or her intellectual capacity rather it has become how much he or she pays.” The ASTD further reaffirmed its decision on not to endorse any ‘fund-raise’ related activity amongst its units without its permission and its resolution to stand by the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee.
