An academy of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), the Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS) at Bade Village, Dimapur will mark twenty years of its existence on November 26, 2011. Many readers may be wondering why an entire editorial column is being used up to make a mention of the OTS. Well, actually there is more than one reason why OTS deserves a special acknowledgment as it commemorates this landmark occasion. OTS under the able leadership and guidance of Rev Dr Wati Aier and not to forget the young dynamic team under Academic Dean Rev Dr Z. Keyho, has accomplished many more things than just what a theological college has to offer. While imbibing quality education is one such character of OTS, this theological college stands out for the purpose driven vision that it has tried to inculcate not just among its graduates but beyond the seminary. This two aspect of giving quality education and a visionary outlook has enabled OTS to produce young people to take up challenges confronting Naga society and beyond. Despite its 20 years, OTS continues to be a small seminary with limited enrolment and maybe the Principal and management of the college could think about taking in more students. This will be beneficial for our society as we look for many more young leaders to play their rightful role in the 21st century society.
20 years of God’s Faithfulness
This brings us to the one aspect of OTS, which this column believes will be worthy of emulation. For all those who may have had the opportunity to go and see how the seminary has been run and maintained in the last two decades, there will be valuable lessons that all of us can take back. As you enter OTS compound, everything is neat and tidy; things are orderly; even the road and whatever infrastructure it could afford has been well built and maintained. As they say ‘a thing of beauty is a joy forever’, this outward manifestation of OTS is truly a reflection of collective conscience, team effort and the values instilled in each and everyone of those who come into the OTS family. Young people who enter the seminary are provided with not just knowledge but they are taught things that every good citizen should be imbibed with—discipline; dignity of labour and to be self reliant; honesty and hardwork; cleanliness and hygiene; pursuit of excellence, etc. A nondescript place with humble beginnings, OTS can rightly claim its place as a role model institution that Nagas can be proud of. Despite the initial difficulties and numerous hurdles along the way, the missionary zeal to succeed has made OTS what it is today. It is not that there are no more challenges, but the foundation and values around which OTS has been build, has made it unshakable and steadfast as it now looks beyond to the future.
Then there is the other noteworthy aspect about how the OTS under the present Principal has been able to run and manage this institution. We speak about good governance, best management practices and accountability. While our government systems around us is facing a crisis of confidence and legitimacy—corruption, incompetence and leadership failure—the system at OTS will be worth emulating for many of us running our offices, government departments or enterprises. With whatever limited resources available, the seminary has been able to sustain and bring out the best it can. This is indeed a remarkable thing to do and it only goes to show that it does not require million and billion of rupees to build an institution—as long as our heart is in the right place and the will to succeed is there, nothing is impossible before God. Congratulations to OTS, the Principal, faculty, students and management for the inspiring journey so far. At a time when we are in dire need for self governing institutions to help shape our destiny, to face the future with strength and confidence, it will require role models and best practices to be honed and replicated. May OTS and its ilk become a beacon of hope and a guiding light for the Nagas.
20 years of God’s Faithfulness
This brings us to the one aspect of OTS, which this column believes will be worthy of emulation. For all those who may have had the opportunity to go and see how the seminary has been run and maintained in the last two decades, there will be valuable lessons that all of us can take back. As you enter OTS compound, everything is neat and tidy; things are orderly; even the road and whatever infrastructure it could afford has been well built and maintained. As they say ‘a thing of beauty is a joy forever’, this outward manifestation of OTS is truly a reflection of collective conscience, team effort and the values instilled in each and everyone of those who come into the OTS family. Young people who enter the seminary are provided with not just knowledge but they are taught things that every good citizen should be imbibed with—discipline; dignity of labour and to be self reliant; honesty and hardwork; cleanliness and hygiene; pursuit of excellence, etc. A nondescript place with humble beginnings, OTS can rightly claim its place as a role model institution that Nagas can be proud of. Despite the initial difficulties and numerous hurdles along the way, the missionary zeal to succeed has made OTS what it is today. It is not that there are no more challenges, but the foundation and values around which OTS has been build, has made it unshakable and steadfast as it now looks beyond to the future.
Then there is the other noteworthy aspect about how the OTS under the present Principal has been able to run and manage this institution. We speak about good governance, best management practices and accountability. While our government systems around us is facing a crisis of confidence and legitimacy—corruption, incompetence and leadership failure—the system at OTS will be worth emulating for many of us running our offices, government departments or enterprises. With whatever limited resources available, the seminary has been able to sustain and bring out the best it can. This is indeed a remarkable thing to do and it only goes to show that it does not require million and billion of rupees to build an institution—as long as our heart is in the right place and the will to succeed is there, nothing is impossible before God. Congratulations to OTS, the Principal, faculty, students and management for the inspiring journey so far. At a time when we are in dire need for self governing institutions to help shape our destiny, to face the future with strength and confidence, it will require role models and best practices to be honed and replicated. May OTS and its ilk become a beacon of hope and a guiding light for the Nagas.
