Akangchila Longchar
March 8 | Dimapur
Four Naga youth have been patiently sitting outside The Samsung Plaza at Church Road, Dimapur for a week now, creating awareness on cleanliness and employment. From 7:00 to 9:00 pm, these four youngster and their friends are seen singing, playing their guitar, to talking to interested passersby on how they can contribute to keep their town clean. The initiative is not organized under any organization or department but solely the brainchild of these youngsters.
With flexi banners containing informing on cleanliness, and a food stall that they have set, they hope to inspire people, especially the youth. Setting a fine example, the youth also use newspaper as carry bags when packing food for their customers.
The four youngsters in question are Akinito, Asen, Kuto, and Hekai. When The Morung Express visited the site, parents with young kids in tow and young people were excitedly sampling the scrumptious galho, chow, and coffee which were on sale. Speaking to Akinito, who is also the vocalist of popular Christian rock band UDX (formerly known as Dementia), he shared that his group was inspired to start this concept after seeing the filthy condition of Dimapur. Akinito said that people should be taught to be clean first. Certainly believing on being a pro-active youth, he remarked that the initiative is much more important than complaining.
Akinito also reflected on how many youngsters in the Naga society depend on their parents even to buy a tee-shirt. “I don’t want them to have this attitude”, he said. The food stall hence was setup to serve as an example that youths can think of innovative, easy concepts to earn money. “The income in these weeks is not much, but it is two- three times the capital invested,” Akinito points out. This young musician also revealed that it was difficult to organize and to bring along friends to be a part of the idea. But he wisely says, “If our Nagas can do this, leaving our pride aside, the problem of employment will be solved”, he said.
Akinito shares that his group intends to keep the stall going as long as they can. “If we could inspire one person, it would be an achievement” he said. The stall is open on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, at Church Road Dimapur.
