Chizokho Vero
Kohima | January 26
Governor Nikhil Kumar today called upon all the citizens to contribute their best efforts towards peace, progress and prosperity of our people.
“Let us re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of national service,” Kumar said in his address at the Republic Day celebration here at Nagaland Secretariat Plaza.
The Governor also challenged the people to strive afresh to lay a strong foundation for the future generations, and also work harder to drive away hatred, distrust and corruption from our society, “so that peace and prosperity will reign supreme in this great country of ours.” He said while the larger political issue remains unresolved, the government has endeavored to meet the aspirations of the people, and to spread a sense of optimism.
Governor said India is a nation of 1200 million people that is now rubbing shoulders with the developed nations in the fields of economic progress and technological advancement, and is marching confidently on the path of progress and prosperity. “Nagaland, as the 16th state of the Indian Union, has also been an equal partner in this journey of socio economic progress. Despite many challenges, the socio economic progress of the state has been remarkable over the last five decades,” Kumar said. Today, he said, our literacy rate, health indicators and economic growth are much better than many states of the country. He recalled that the state was recently given the award for the best improvement in infrastructure amongst the small states category by India Today Group.
The law and order situation in the state has remained by and large peaceful in the last few years, the Governor said and complimented the state police forces, the district administration and the security forces for effectively dealing with many threats to law and order, for ensuring a peaceful atmosphere, and for effectively controlling crime. Our state has had the distinction of having the least crime rate in the country during the last year as per the latest report released by the National Crime Records Bureau, New Delhi. Our Police forces deployed outside the state in Delhi and West Bengal have also been performing very well and deserve appreciation,” he said. “We are happy that the ceasefire with UG groups has been holding good, despite many threats to it,” he said adding that there is also an air of optimism and hope that the ongoing political negotiations will soon result in a peaceful resolution of the six decade old Nag political problem.
“For the relative peace we are enjoying today, credit must go to the tireless efforts of the non-governmental organizations, tribal ‘hohos’, the churches, members of the civil society, and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, all of whom have worked hard to foster dialogue and understanding among various UG groups with considerable success.” Thanking them for their sincere efforts, Kumar also exhorted the people to strengthen their hands in this noble endeavour.
