Kiphire, September 2 (DIPR): The two-day Kiphire Road Show, coinciding with the Mongmong festival of the Sangtams, was on Wednesday inaugurated by state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at Kiphire, with thousands of people turning up to witness the mega event.
Speaking on the occasion, Neiphiu Rio said that we all need to join hands to solve the vexed Naga political issue to bring permanent peace and reconciliation in the state. He said that during the ceasefire, factional killings among the Nagas keep happening and the number of persons who have died in the clashes is about 1040. He, therefore, called on the people to work for peace and to put a stop to the factional killings. He reiterated that we need Naga leaders and not only tribe or village leaders. The top priority of the present government is to bring the final settlement for which the whole Council of Ministers have declared that the DAN government is willing to make way if required for final settlement of the Naga issue. Also saying that the government is only a facilitator, Rio called upon the people to prevail for peace and unity for all-round development in the state.
The Chief Minister said that different Nagas tribes have different festivals which we need to preserve even though we are all Christians now. We need to pray for good harvest, he said. He said that the Mongmong festival, which signifies friendship and merrymaking, has a great meaning to lead our younger generation. Rio also added that the Nagaland government is not only concentrating on Kohima and Dimapur but has conceptualised the Road Shows to involve all the various tribes and to promote their festivals.
The Chief Minister encouraged the people to not only give attention to the unique and rich cultural traditions but also to give more attention to music as the state government has instituted the Music Task Force and declared music as an industry. He urged the people of the state to select talented musicians who will showcase their talents at the annual Hornbill festival. He emphasised on the flora and fauna, mineral resources, hydro potentialities, tourism attractions which has enough place found in this particular district. He apprised the community to give support to the MLAs and Chairman of this district as well as the district administration for further development.
MLA and Chairman for NSMDC, Kipili Sangtam, while delivering Mongmong Festival greetings, praised the government under the dynamic leadership of Neiphiu Rio for undertaking various activities in this district. He also pointed out that the present government has come up with various innovative ideas to develop all the eleven districts in the state.
T Torechu, Parliamentary Secretary for CAWD, exhorted the people saying “we should go forward with peace and love to bring developmental activities”. USLB president R Tsapikiu in his welcome address urged the Chief Minister to understand their problems and requirements, particularly in the road sector.
Head GB of Kiphire town, Yangkimong, who delivered the significance of Mongmong festival, said that with the advent of Christianity, the ancestral beliefs are no longer practiced, and as time passes all traditions are being forgotten and are slowly fading away. It is only during such festivals that traditional beliefs and customs are rekindled in the present generation through folklores, he said.
Principal Secretary and Nagaland Commissioner, H K Khulu, in his speech said that the state Road Show is not only for the state but for the rest of the world, to “show what developmental activities we are doing with transparency and accountability”. 22 departments and SHGs with a total of 55 stalls are participating in the festival, he informed.
The highlights of the programme included folksongs presented by Kisetong village and Tsinger village, while cultural dances with vibrant traditional custom were presented by Hurunger village, Sanphur village, Singrep women, Phelunger womenfolk, Haho women group and Longkhim town.
Other public dignitaries present included Home Minister Imkong L Imchen, Parliamentary Secretaries Yithachu, Torochu, Y Patton, C W Kithan, S Heno and Chotisuh Sazo, MLAs C L John, Azetho Zhimomi, Vikho Yhoshu, Dr. Nicky Kire, Kejong Chang, and Kipili Sangtam, and several senior government officials. The nodal departments for the Road Show were CAWD and NSMDC.
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