Lok Sabha Member Supongmeren Jamir at the golden jubilee of Lakeview colony, Dimapur, on October 25. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 25
Lakeview Colony in Dimapur commemorated its 50th foundation anniversary on Saturday at the Assisi Higher Secondary School campus, with a call for unity, peace, and a focus on the future. The celebration, themed "Peace and Wellbeing," featured Lok Sabha Member Supongmeren Jamir as the special guest and Dr Ellen Konyak Jamir, Associate Professor of Counselling at the Oriental Theological Seminary, as the theme speaker.
In his address, Supongmeren Jamir acknowledged the journey of the past 50 years, crediting the tireless efforts of the locality’s founding people. Looking ahead, he stressed the need for decisions that will steer Lakeview and its residents towards a brighter future, urging residents to walk on the “right path.” He said that maintaining peace and prosperity is crucial for the improvement of the locality and called upon the youth to come forward and shape the future.
As the residents celebrate, he said that they must keep in mind the inherent intent of the jubilee theme, and the youth’s call for “My colony, My Future.”
While highlighting the diverse social backgrounds of the residents, he laid emphasis on unity and love for the locality’s progress. He also pointed to the need for infrastructural development, including improvements in electricity, water, and roads, and called for mutual sympathy and togetherness during difficult times.
Speaking on the theme, Dr Ellen Konyak Jamir, drew from the biblical text of John 14:27. She described peace as a divine gift from Jesus, distinct from worldly inventions, and attainable through a relationship with God. This peace, she explained, is not superficial but spiritual, and extends to the environment as well.
Dr Jamir asserted that peace is a skill that must be cultivated and practiced to overcome disunity and foster forgiveness and reconciliation. She urged Nagas to take pride in their respective tribal identity. “But remember, above it all, we are all Nagas,” she added.
She linked the practice of peace directly to achieving wellbeing, which she defined as encompassing not just physical, but also mental and spiritual health. She lamented that in Nagaland, the focus often remains solely on physical health. According to her, achieving peace and wellbeing is a collective responsibility, and urged all residents to become stewards of this cause.
Lakeview colony's early history is largely based on anecdotal accounts. The colony council chairperson, citing accounts from the earliest residents, said that there were settlers as early as the 1960s.
The main road of the locality was reportedly built by the British, and the land where the old Naga cemetery is located had a hospital for British forces during World War II. The first official meeting of the pioneers took place in 1975.
Other dignitaries who spoke at the event included the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Dr Tinojongshi Chang, and the Dimapur Municipal Council Councillor from Ward 10, H Nikali Zhimo. Lakeview falls in Ward 10.
