Kohima, September 19 (DIPR): Vice President of India, Dr. M. Hamid Ansari, accompanied by his wife Salma Ansari, Governor of Nagaland, Nikhil Kumar, Ministers and other state dignitaries paid a visit to the historic World War II Memorial at Kohima today , September 19. He was warmly received by the State Home Commissioner, C.J. Ponraj, Army Officers, District Administration and other government officials. In honouring the war heroes he laid wreaths and observed one minute’s silence in remembrance of the soldiers killed in action. The Assam Rifles band party played the National Anthem as a prelude. The Vice President Dr. M. Hamid Ansari made the same remark in the two Visitor’s Books at the War Memorial, presented by Hq. 3 Corps and the Visitor’s Book Livre Des Visiteurs, maintained by Common Wealth War Grave Commission Maidenhead Berkshire England stating, ‘salute to the heroes of a great battle’. The Vice President and his wife also posed for a photograph with the Ministers and officials at the Memorial.
Those present during the visit of the Vice President to the Memorial included Minister for Planning & Coordination, Evaluation, Vety. & AH and Parliamentary Affairs, T.R. Zeliang, Minister for Roads & Bridges, G. Kaito Aye and Minister for Power and Election, Doshehe Y. Sema, Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner, Alemtemshi, IAS and Commissioner & Secretary, Vety. & AH, Thangi Mannen and Commissioner & Secretary, Tourism and Art & Culture, Himato Zhimomi were also present on the occasion.
A separate press note issued by Maj RP Velu, PRO, IGAR (N), stated that Maj Gen Sandeep Singh, SM, VSM, and Mrs Yashmi Singh received the Vice President and his lady wife at the War Cemetery. The note mentioned that the Vice President remembered all those who have sacrificed their life to save our country. He also laid wreath at the war cemetery and finally he endorsed his appreciation in the visitors register.
Salma Ansari visits WW II museum
Salma Ansari, wife of Dr. M. Hamid Ansari visited the World War II Museum at Kisama on September 19. After viewing the exhibits on display, Salma Ansari viewed a 30 minute documentary on ‘The Battle of Kohima’, produced by the Directorate of Art & Culture, Nagaland, documenting the 16 day siege of Kohima that became one of the most strategic battles in the history of World War II. Ansari appreciated the department for carefully documenting history and remarked how ‘fragile’ peace is. She stated that many lives have been lost and expressed hope that ‘generations that came after such a disaster value what we have today’. She was shown around the museum exhibits by Assistant Director, Art & Culture, Kerüno Sakhrie.
Salma Ansari, accompanied by Commissioner & Secretary, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Thangi Mannen and Commissioner & Secretary, Tourism and Art & Culture, Himato Zhimomi, also visited the traditional morungs at the Heritage Complex. At the Angami morung, she was felicitated with an Angami shawl by the Angami Public Organisation representatives. She also went round the other morungs and expressed keen interest in the indigenous material culture of the various tribes of Nagaland on display at the morungs. She also appreciated the Tourism Department for maintaining the complex.
CM hosts dinner in honour of VP
Earlier, on the evening of September 18, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio hosted an official dinner at Heritage Bungalow in honour of His Excellency Dr. M. Hamid Ansari who said that he was left speechless by the generosity and the warm welcome accorded to him and his wife during their visit to Nagaland.
Referring to what the Chief Minister presume the journey must have been a bumpy ride from Dimapur to Kohima, he said that they thoroughly enjoyed their journey by road, stating that it had enable them to see bit of the fascinating Nagaland in ground reality, where otherwise they would only be able to see only a birds eye view of Nagaland, had it been a chopper ride.
Neiphiu Rio in his short speech extended happiness to the Vice President of India and his lady wife for visiting Nagaland. He regretted that they had to suffer a bumpy ride due to inclement weather but expressed relief for their safe arrival. He was optimistic that the Vice President of India would take back fond memories of Nagaland and be an ambassador of Nagas, so that Nagaland can be at par with the other countries.
The dinner party was also graced by His Excellency the Governor of Nagaland, Nikhil Kumar and his wife, Chief Minister’s colleagues of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Officials of World Bamboo Organisation, delegates from other countries, Commissioner & Secretaries, HoD and all the officials participating in the World Bamboo Day celebration.
The programme was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner, Alemtemshi and invocation prayer was pronounced by Pastor Baptist Mission Church, Moa Longchari. Before the dinner the Music Task Force organized an entertainment programme featuring Tetseo Sisters, the Cultural Vibrant, Neise and Asin, Zowe Madrigal, Toshi Naro, Rokovotuo, Azi Tetseo, Bamboo Ensemble and enthralled the visiting dignitaries with traditional songs and contemporary music. The DGP Band also entertained the exclusive gathering.
Ceremonial plantation of Bamboo held
In commemoration of the World Bamboo Day, ceremonial planting of Bamboo was held at Kisama on September 18 after the farewell programme.
In front of the craft bazaar, bamboo saplings were planted by Vice President of India, his lady wife, Governor of Nagaland, Nikhil Kumar, his lady wife, Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, Minister for Forest Nagaland, Member NEC, Advisor, NBDA, President, WBO, Special Director, WBO.
Saplings were also planted by foreign delegates from countries belonging to USA , Japan , Italy , Norway , Vietnam , Greece , Belgium and Australia . Other neighboring States included Arunachal Pradesh , Assam , Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura.
