Peren DC Hiazu Meru along with other officials and participants during the district-level Literary Day-cum-Competition organised by the ZLSU at Town Hall in Peren on August 21.
ZLSU holds district literary competition
Peren, August 23 (MExN): Peren Deputy Commissioner Hiazu Meru has flagged environmental degradation, riverbed extraction and rising substance abuse in the district, while urging students to think beyond government jobs and contribute to the development of state.
Addressing the district-level Literary Day-cum-Competition organised by the Zeliang Students’ Union Nagaland (ZLSU) at the Town Hall in Peren on August 21, Meru said the younger generation, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha, was intelligent, talented and capable of making a positive contribution to society.
He urged students to remain informed about issues around them and develop critical, responsible and independent thinking. He said literary competitions provided opportunities to discover talents and express views on contemporary issues.
‘Green District’ tag under question
Meru questioned whether the traditional description of Peren as the “Rice Bowl of Nagaland” adequately reflected its present situation. He also expressed concern over the continued description of the district as the “Green District”, citing extensive logging and environmental degradation.
Referring to the Nagaland Tree Felling Regulation Rules, 2002, he called for strict enforcement and greater awareness about forest conservation. He said indiscriminate logging affected forests, roads, rivers, water sources and groundwater and contributed to the disappearance of birds and wildlife.
He also raised concern over riverbed extraction, saying it was regulated under the Nagaland Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2004. He stressed that Article 371A should not be misunderstood or misused to bypass applicable laws and procedures.
Concern over substance abuse
The DC also expressed concern over substance abuse among young people, including in educational institutions. Citing departmental data, he said around 744 persons had been recorded in connection with substance abuse in the district, while the actual figure could be higher.
He identified peer pressure, early exposure, family history, trauma, stress and easy access to substances as contributing factors. He particularly cautioned students staying in rented accommodation away from their families to remain vigilant against negative peer influence and urged them to choose their company wisely.
Low representation in government jobs
On employment, Meru cited 2011 Census and Personnel Information Management System data, putting Nagaland’s population at 19,78,502 and government employees at approximately 1,23,392. He said around 3,223 government employees were from the Zeliang tribe, describing the representation as very low.
He encouraged students to aspire not only to government jobs but also to policy-making and decision-making positions. Hard work, honesty, discipline, commitment and integrity, he said, remained timeless values.
Meru also informed the gathering that Peren Government College was pursuing NAAC accreditation and said it would benefit the district. He called upon students to use their education and skills for the development of Peren, Nagaland and the nation.
ZLSU president Roland Zeliang and District Education Officer Limadangit Jamir also addressed the gathering.
The ZLSU event saw 100 students from 21 educational institutions participate in essay writing, prepared speech and extempore speech competitions.
Winners:
Essay Writing—Mesanthu Mbung, Baptist High School, Tening; Ichetwangbe, Baptist Higher Secondary School, Peren; Keyisuile Thou, Kirjath Jearim Mission School.
Prepared Speech—Kangzangheing and Keheikangyile, St Xavier Higher Secondary School, Jalukie; Aien Siang, Government Higher Secondary School, Peren.
Extempore Speech—Sangjemwati Jamir, St Xavier College, Jalukie; Lakhon Lyndoh and Sanal Debarma, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Jalukie.
