Dimapur, April 7 (MExN): Minister for Planning & Co-ordination, Evaluation, Vety. & AH and Parliamentary Affairs, TR Zeliang graced the kinsmen conference of Mera/Kikhe-o & Sechü/Rau/Thenyie-u/Meza-u/Kherü on April 5 at Viswema village. Addressing the conference as the main speaker of the occasion, TR Zeliang (Rau) urged for deeper research into the establishment of ancestry by examining factors such as dress, hair cuts, customs, traditions and ornaments. He lamented that today, only few people know the names of their ancestors, by which their genealogy could be established.
The kinsmen conference was first held at Phesama in 1942 when persons from Zeliang area, Chakhesang area and other Angami areas were cutting the present day National Highway 29. The second conference was held at Kenoma (Poilwa) and the third at Kigwema in 1948, where a stone with a brief history on it was erected. Subsequent conferences were held at different villages such as Nakama, Peren, Sechü, Viswema, Heninkula etc. The previous conference was at Tuophema in 2001 hosted by Rio & Kense clans, where members from 52 villages numbering above 700 attended.
The Viswema conference on April 5 was attended by over 800 members from 31 villages. The conference was also graced by MLA, KV Pusa whose wife is a kinswoman from Kohima village. The Conference was chaired by Chairman, Kethozhaou Sahu (Mera), prayer by Vimetwel Kikhi Pastor CRC Viswema, Elder’s blessing by Krozel Kikhi, welcome address by Puvil Kikhi, Secretary’s Report by Seto Sechü, Short Speeches by Neikhriehu Sechü & Daniel Kikhi and vote of thanks by Ikulung Elunglung (Rau).
The conference also elected a new team of office bearers with Kethozhapu Sahu (Mera) as Chairman, Ikulung Elunglung (Rau) as Vice Chairman, Seto Sechü as Secretary, Kelhoupu-o Rio (Sechü) as Joint Secretary and Neibou Sekhose (Sechü) as Treasurer. This was stated in a press release issued by IPR Joint Director, Dominic Yazokie.
