Governor Yadav receives traditional gifts during his visit in Longleng at the DPDB Hall on October 8. (DIPR Photo)
Longleng, October 8 (MExN): Nagaland Governor Dr Nand Kishore Yadav visited Longleng district on October 8 and held a meeting with district officers and representatives of civil society organisations at the DPDB Hall, Longleng.
Addressing the gathering, Yadav said he was pleased to be in Longleng as part of his district visit programme, which, he said, provided an opportunity to understand the developmental priorities of the district, interact with different sections of society and gain firsthand appreciation of the issues and aspirations of the people.
The Governor said he considered it important to maintain regular engagement with the districts. Nagaland has a diverse social and geographical landscape, and the progress of the State depends on ensuring that development reaches all parts of it, he said.
“My visit today is therefore intended not only to review developmental activities but also to listen to the people and understand the challenges and opportunities specific to the district,” he said.
Yadav said Longleng has a distinctive social, cultural and geographical character and is an important part of Eastern Nagaland. The district is home to the Phom community, whose traditions and institutions form an integral part of the cultural heritage of Nagaland, he said.
The district has considerable opportunities in agriculture, horticulture, handloom and handicrafts, forest-based livelihoods, tourism and entrepreneurship, the Governor said. With appropriate support, better infrastructure, modern technology and improved access to markets, these sectors could generate sustainable livelihoods and contribute significantly to the economic development of the district.
He particularly encouraged farmers and young entrepreneurs to look beyond traditional markets, stressing the importance of value addition, food processing, digital marketing and modern agricultural practices to help local products reach markets within Nagaland and beyond.
Encouraging youth to be at the centre of this transformation, Yadav said young people possess talent, energy and aspirations and urged them to acquire new skills, pursue higher education, explore entrepreneurship and become active participants in the development of their communities.
At the same time, the Governor said development must go hand in hand with preservation of identity. The traditions, customary practices, indigenous knowledge, music, dance, crafts and community institutions of the Phom people are valuable assets, he said.
“Cultural heritage is not an obstacle to development; it is one of the foundations on which sustainable development can be built,” Yadav said.
Advisor for Airways and Railways A Pongshi Phom said government officials, NGOs, civil society organisations and the general public were working through active cooperation and consultation towards peace and development in the district.
President of the Phom People’s Council YB Angam Phom said the Phom people believe in hard work, honesty and integrity, adding that peace-building and peacekeeping have always been among their highest values.
Despite the fertility of the land, Angam said road connectivity and marketing of products have remained major obstacles. He said the district headquarters is often cut off from villages and towns due to road subsidence and other natural disasters, affecting the local economy.
Angam said Longleng is a central point connecting almost all the districts of Eastern Nagaland and expressed hope that improved roads, infrastructure and economic stability would make accessibility easier for the neighbouring districts.
