Governor of Assam and Nagaland, Prof Jagdish Mukhi, his wife, CM Neiphiu Rio along with the Awardees- Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation & Livelihood Network Zunheboto and Kripa foundation, Kohima during the Governor’s Award ceremony at at Raj Bhavan, Kohima on March 17. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, March 17 (MExN): A ceremony for the Governor’s Award and State Level Essay Competition was held at Raj Bhavan, Kohima on March 17. Governor of Assam and Nagaland, Prof Jagdish Mukhi in his address said, “Excellence is not a result of wishful thinking, sheer luck or happenstance. It is rather the culmination of concrete goals, hard and smart work aligned with those goals and judicious decisions.”
A press release issued by the PRO Raj Bhavan, Kohima said, Mukhi stressed that this awards have been instituted to honour and recognize the individuals for their exemplary initiatives and contribution to the society, besides reflecting the overall vision of the government to encourage citizens to achieve their aspirations.
He added, that the ‘Governors Award’ has been be conferred to three individuals in essay competition and two group winners in different categories- The Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network Zunheboto for Creating Social Awareness on Conservation of Environment and protection, the Kripa foundation, Kohima for Creating Social Impact and Awareness on Prevailing Social Ills and its Amelioration and the three winners of State Level Essay Competition - Mariam, Class 10 BHSS, Mankolemba, Loni S Shikhu, Mount Mary College, Dimapur and Yiben B Humtsoe, Wokha.
Congratulating the awardees he stressed on the importance of climate change and environmental degradation which pose a huge challenge to life. He said, “Today, we have an increasing number of global forums where we are discussing environment protection, biodiversity conservation, carbon sinks and green growth. And yet, despite extensive knowledge on the subject, we are witnessing receding forests area and shrinking of biodiversity to rapidly melting glaciers and ice caps, extreme weather events.”
He appealed that, efforts to spread awareness must be stepped up and each one of us will have to contribute to this task of conservation of nature and environment. This should become a people's movement, in which local bodies, civil society and NGOs should participate.
He also briefed on our National Environment Policy adopted in 2006 which promotes the adoption of cleaner technology and bio-friendly disposal of waste and the proposal to launch a massive afforestation project.
Mukhi also stressed on the damage caused by the social ills prevailing in our society, the menace of drug abuse is another grappling global challenge therefore, he urged both the Government and the civil society to ensure that the potential victims are made aware of the perils of drug abuse.
He also reminded that the best solution is prevention and we need to prevent people, particularly the youngsters from falling to prey to substance abuse.
Acknowledging the winners of the essay competition, he said, the winners today has illustrated a strong proficiency in writing. Their essays reflected the ability to develop a strong argument, to be clear and coherent, to achieve accuracy in language and form, and perhaps most importantly, the winning essays illustrated a capacity for critical reflection and creative thinking trending in our society.
In conclusion, he complimented the Forest department and the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board, Social welfare and the members of the screening committee in Essay Competition for their contributions.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in his note stated that the Governor’s award provide a huge motivation for everyone to perform and excel.
He said that, Nagaland was formed with recognition of our unique identity and special provisions are embedded in various laws to preserve our cultures and traditions and we have done well and made tremendous progress in various fields.
He further urged that, we have to look into the potential in terms of our social capital, in terms of harnessing the energy of our youth in the right direction, in terms of giving them opportunities to face tomorrow, in terms of unleashing the innate potentials of the God given gifts of our youth.
He stated that, as a hill state with vast natural resources of forests and a clean environment at our disposal, the initiative for conservation lies with the community. Intensive community conservation can be translated into direct benefits in the form of carbon credits to the communities.
Rio informed that our State has its share of alcoholism, drug abuse and the issue of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and the percentage of substance abuse and the burden of HIV in our State has been one of the highest. Reducing the problem of substance abuse; rehabilitation of victims, social stigma; reducing discrimination and helping PLHIV to live a normal life have been the contributions of the Kripa Foundation.
He also expressed that essays reflect the dreams and aspirations of the younger generation in a very evocative manner and only through the joint and concerted efforts of the people of Nagaland will we be able to take our state forward, to enjoy the fruits of modernity while preserving our valued traditions and customs.
Congratulating the Awardees, he appealed the gathering to grow from strength to strength and be an inspiration for the younger generation.
Earlier in the programme, Chief Secretary Nagaland, J Alam IAS delivered the keynote address, a brief note on Governor’s State Level Essay competition was highlighted by the Commissioner & Secretary to Governor, T Mhabemo Yanthan, IAS. The awardees were also rewarded with a cash prize of Rs. one lakh along with a citiation.
