Mount Tiyi College Wokha celebrates culture & identity

Advisor Yanthan urges citizens to share responsibility for quality development

Morung Express News
Wokha | October 29

Mhathung Yanthan, MLA and Advisor for Agriculture, Government of Nagaland, has called upon citizens to take collective responsibility for ensuring quality development and preserving cultural identity while addressing the opening day of Mount Tiyi College’s (MTC), Wokha two-day Autumn Fiesta 2026 held on October 29 at the college campus.

Addressing the gathering as the special guest, Yanthan told students they were in one of life’s most precious stages and urged them to make the best use of their time and opportunities. Praising the cultural performances, he commended the organisers for showcasing their forefathers’ traditions and way of life. He encouraged students to stay connected to their roots and preserve their cultural identity and traditions.

During a special interactive session, “Beyond the Podium: A Conversation with the Special Guest,” students asked Yanthan about his political journey, the challenges of public service and the quality of development projects in Nagaland. He said he had never aspired to politics during his student days or while in service, and entered it after retirement in response to the people’s wishes—a decision he does not regret.

On quality in road construction and other development projects, Yanthan acknowledged concerns over delays and compromised standards in public works. Despite receiving funds and projects, the state continued to struggle to complete projects on time and maintain quality standards.

Stressing that development was not the government’s responsibility alone, he called on students, villagers, farmers, government officials and employees to contribute to the state’s progress, urging citizens to act as vigilant observers and pressure groups to ensure projects, programmes and schemes were implemented properly.

He also spoke about the challenges of public service, including the difficulty of meeting people’s expectations and addressing grievances, situations he admitted could be discouraging when efforts to correct wrongs did not produce the desired results.

In her welcome address, MTC Principal Dr Bweyhunle Khing stressed that culture should not be confined to festivals, traditional attire, music and dance, but should also be reflected in people’s character, conduct and service to society.

Reminding students of the values upheld by their forefathers, she called for a renewed commitment to honesty, discipline, unity, respect and compassion, and encouraged them to cultivate civic-mindedness, cleanliness and a strong work ethic, stating that cultural heritage must be preserved through everyday actions and responsibility towards society.

In his keynote address, Dr Libemo Kithan, Associate Professor and Convenor of the Organising Committee, said the fiesta was envisioned as an opportunity for the college community to move forward with renewed purpose and direction.

Explaining the theme, he said “Roots” represented identity, ancestral wisdom and cultural values, while “Rhythm” symbolised the diverse experiences and expressions of students coming together in harmony; “Revelry” represented the joy of shared experiences and the importance of celebrations in learning.

Referring to the National Education Policy 2020, Kithan highlighted the importance of holistic education that develops students intellectually, socially, physically, emotionally and ethically, rather than focusing solely on academic qualifications. 

He encouraged students, alumni and parents to contribute to the growth of Mount Tiyi College, the only government college in Wokha district, and stressed the importance of active student participation in extracurricular activities as essential to learning and personal development.

In his greetings, S Zubenthung Ngullie, president of the Lotha Students’ Union, stressed the need to preserve indigenous culture, language and traditions for future generations. Drawing comparisons with countries that have progressed while retaining their cultural identity, he cautioned against allowing traditional knowledge and practices to survive only through photographs, performances or stories, and urged the younger generation to ensure their cultural heritage remained a living part of society. 

Ngullie also called on students to help increase enrolment and strengthen the institution, encouraging them to strive for academic excellence and make Mount Tiyi College a preferred destination for higher education in the district.

Advocate Oren Lotha, the college’s first graduate, recalled his association with the institution and expressed gratitude to the faculty members who contributed to his success. Encouraging students, he shared three guiding principles: “Know who you are, know what you are, and know where you stand,” emphasising the importance of self-awareness and understanding one’s place in society.

The opening day, observed as Cultural Day, featured performances, competitions and activities celebrating cultural heritage, identity and diversity. The programme began with an opening prayer by Lungraiding Ndang of the United Evangelical Students’ Initiative (UESI), followed by a folksong from the MTC Cultural Club. Students staged a drama titled “Our Roots, Our Identity,” and Nepali students presented a cultural performance. 

The afternoon session featured the Grand Competition Hour, chaired by Dr W Meribeni Patton, Assistant Professor. Dr I Koktiba, Assistant Coordinator of IQAC, delivered the welcome address. Folk dance and folksong competitions were held among students, followed by an address by Kithan and a traditional couple show open to all communities. Traditional games, bamboo pole climbing for boys and bamboo stilt walking for girls were scheduled from 3 pm to 4 pm under the coordination of the Alumni Association. The programme also included painting displays and stalls.

The second day of the fiesta, scheduled for October 30, will feature K Mhathung Tsanglao, Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, as Guest of Honour for Session I Nzano Kikon, Vice-Chairperson of Wokha Town Council, is scheduled to attend Session II, while Dr KN Zubemo Humtsoe, Chief Veterinary Officer, Wokha, is listed for Session III.

The Autumn Fiesta, organised by the college’s Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), with support from the Alumni Association, is being held under the theme “Roots, Rhythm & Revelry.” Er S Benrio Kithan, president of the Lotha Officers’ Association, Wokha Unit, attended the opening day as the special presence.