Kohima, December 30 (MExN): Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister and Minister Home, Road and Bridges, Y Patton on December 30 said that the primary focus of the youngsters should not be dependence on others, but to compete in order to earn through merit.
He stated this while delivering greetings message on the centenary celebration of Nungying Baptist Church (NBC).
Calling upon the youngsters to opt for competitive examinations, Patton also assured to sponsor aspiring candidates who wanted to go for UPSC and NPSC for a period of two years, a press release from Dy CM Media Cell informed
He further promised cash awards of ten lakh each to ten candidates whoever get through UPSC (IAS and IPS) from the village and another five lakh to those who clear NPSC exams (EAC and DSP) through open competition, it said.
Further congratulating the NBC on reaching the 100 years milestone, Patton informed that Nungying is the 12th village out of more than 140 villages in the Lotha region to achieve the feat.
However, expressing concern over relative lacking of the village in “all fronts including religious line,” he urged the congregation to forgive one another for the past misdeeds and move ahead by seeking God's blessing, it added.
The Dy CM also assured to sponsor two theologians for a period of two years and two UPSC/NPSC aspiring needy candidates to undergo coaching for a period of two years.
He also called for unity in order to march for all round development of the village, adding that God will definitely bless the village through the celebrations of this jubilee.
Theme speaker of the celebration, Zanben Kithan, Pastor Yikhum Baptist Church, called upon the congregation and the church leaders not to be a "money oriented church and money minded church" as this kind of church will not move ahead.
“Our forefathers were illiterate" but were rich in God's knowledge. But today, the church leaders and christians were blinded by the materialistic world,” he noted.
To this end, he exhorted the gathering to acknowledge and follow the footsteps of the forefathers and pioneers, who have sacrificed and laid the foundation for this present generation.
He also reminded them that jubilee was a celebration of what God has done to the people.
Earlier, pastor Okotso Baptist Church, Rev O Yibomo Ngullie invoked blessing for the inhabitants of the village while pastor Yimkha Baptist Church, Rev Renbomo Ngullie led the jubilee offertory prayer.
The service began with an invocation by pastor, Tsungiki Baptist Church, T Mhao Kikon.
Other highlights of the programme included special songs by Jubilee choir, Tsungiki Baptist Church Choir and others.
