Nagaland celebrated the 70th Independence Day along with the rest of the country on Monday.
MON: In Mon the day was celebrated with minister of Mechanical, National Highway & Election, Nuklutoshi as the chief guest, who unfurled the tri color and took salute from 18 contingents. Speaking on the Naga Political issue, the chief guest emphasized that an early political settlement was in the interest of one and all. Reminding that the passing away of Isak Swu, the chairman of NSCN IM, was condoled by one and all, starting from the prime minister of India, he stated that it would be a befitting tribute if all the Naga political groups could come together and support the negotiations between the GoI and NSCN (IM), following the signing of the historic framework Agreement of the 3rd August. He also appealed to NSCN K to eschew the path of violence and return to the ceasefire agreement. On health issue, the chief guest informed that the department of Health and family Welfare was in the process of rolling out Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), by which all the BPL families and senior citizens would be provided cashless treatment from the empanelled hospitals in the state.
The highlights of the day included song by Rashtra Bhasha Hindi Training Institute Mon, drill/choreography by Don Bosco Schoo, Mon and Little Flower School Mon, cultural dance by Ao, cultural song by WATSU Mon, Hah Mongchi Cultural Women Club Mon. Institutional visit on District Hospital, Sub-Jail, Langsa Hill, John 3:16 and Canal Orphanage were made by DEF, KNSK, Konyak Union, Toxic Peace Band and Tenyime Union Mon respectively. Exhibition football match was played between officers club vs DEF Mon, which was followed by prize distribution, display of band and beating the retreat ceremony by 6th NAP Pipe Band. Martial art was also displayed by Junior taekwondo team from Konjong School. The Legal Service Authority, Mon also opened a stall and distributed leaflets and booklets free of cost to the general public. About 5000 people gathered to celebrate the day at local ground Mon town.
KIPHIRE: Minister for School Education and SCERT, Yitachu was the chief guest at the 70th Independence Day celebration here at Kiphire today. The chief guest while reading out the I Day speech, extended his warm greetings to the people of Kiphire. In his speech the chief guest highlighted the government’s achievements, including the Naga political issue, law and order, education, agriculture & allied, infrastructure sector, development of rural/urban and backwards, health/social welfare & other services and economy of the state. The highlights of the day include Chorography by Saramati School Kiphire, drill display by Agape School Kiphire and patriotic song by Hindi Institute Kiphire. Traditional dances were performed by Seyochung Village Union Kiphire town and Sangpin Tah Troupe Kiphire town. Twelve march past contingents from different schools; police dept. and pensioners took part at the ID celebration with Kisetong Village VG as the pipers band. Nine departmental stalls were also opened at the celebration. Thousands of public packed the public ground Kiphire to witness the celebration. In Seyochung the occasion was held at Seyochung ADC hq with parliamentary secretary Art & Culture, Eshak Konyak as chief guest who unfurled the national flag and took salute & read out the I/day speech. 5 parade contingents including students took part. Other highlights of the day were special numbers. On the sideline of the program, the 5th volleyball open tournament final match was played final between Kisetong village & Oldmonger village.
MOKOKCHUNG: In Mokokchung the day was observed at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex with minister for Health & FamilyWelfare, P Longon, as the chief guest. The entertainment session began with a song from Katimenla, a recipient of the National Award for the ‘best creative child with disabilities’, at Delhi on December 3, 2015, followed by a special song by the students of Fazl Ali College. The crowds were further entertained by the Assam Rifles Band, Medem Reju Cultural Club of Mongsenyimti, Tazulenden Cultural society of Mopungchuket, Phom Union Mokokchung and Gorkha Union, Mokokchung. The parade contingent was commandeered by Asst. Comd. 2nd NAP, Alichen, 2nd in command, ASI Mario of 2nd NAP. The culmination of the celebration was continued with the festivities of ‘tambolas’, till the final retreat at 1600 hrs.
CHOZUBA: Advisor Treasuries and Accounts, Relief and Rehabilitation Dr. T M Lotha attended the occasion at Chozuba, Phek district. The celebration witnessed march pass by 111 Bn, BSF, DEF Chozuba, 5th NAP Chetheba, NCC, GHS Japan Riba, GHSS Chozuba, GHS Yoruba, Rashtrabhasha Hindi Vidyalaya Chozuba and NCC, GHSS Chozuba. (Correspondent)
PEREN: In Peren the function was held at Multi-Disciplinary Outdoor Sports Complex (MDOSC) at New Hq. Peren with home minister, Y. Patton as the chief guest.
He unfurled the national flag and inspected the parade contingents and delivered the Independence Day speech where he highlighted the achievements made by the state government. Altogether six contingents took part in the March Past which was led by Parade Commander L. Sukumo Kikon. The chief guest presented the Farmer’s Award to the best performing SHG and Individual Progressive Farmers with cash award along with the citations to encourage the farmers. The awardees for the Self Help Group were Sun Rise SHG Jalukie Block and Kelungchi SHG Kepuijang Village while Individual Progressive Farmers awardees were BamheiIkie of Ndunglwa Village for Best farmer on Integrated Farming, Ramga of Tening Village for best farmer on horticulture and Hauneu Jalukie for the best farmer on pineapple.
ZUNHEBOTO: The programme was held at the local ground with minister, Rural Development and REPA, C L John as the chief guest. He unfurled the national flag, read out the speech and took the salute from 22 parade contingents led by parade commander, assistant commandant, 8th NAP, Pholosing Sangtam. Special presentations were also performed which included men folk dance (Aphilo Kuwo) from North Point Colony, martial arts display from Olympic Hr Sec School, drill display from St. Anthony School, Tug of War and Vande Mataram by 5th Assam Rifles. The minister also inaugurated stalls put up by various departments and Self Help Groups (SHG). An exhibition football match was also played between 5th Assam Rifles and All Nagaland Private Schools Association, followed by prize distribution and beating of the retreat.
ATOIZU: Parliamentary Secretary for Justice & Law and SIRD, Er. Picto Shohe on Monday said that hardware and video conferencing equipments have been installed in all the District Courts under the second phase of E-Court. Speaking during the Independence Day celebration at Atoizu, Er. Picto also said that, to streamline the delivery of justice, four posts of District Session Judge have been re-designated as Principal District Session Judge at Kohima, Dimapur, Tuensang and Mokokchung. Further, the Parliamentary Secretary said that five posts of Junior Civil Judge and seven posts of Assistant Public Prosecutor have been created this year. Er. Picto also said that the Cabinet has recently approved for creation of six new Sub-District Industries Centres at Atoizu, Mangkolemba, Meluri, Noklak, Tizit and Tuli by redeploying the existing staff. “Construction of helipads at Zunheboto, Phek, Satoi, Wokha and Tizit for the State Helicopter service has been taken up,” he added. Earlier, the chief guest hoisted the national flag and received salute from the nine parade contingents. Braving the unfavourable weather, the government servants and public of Atoizu turned out in large numbers and attended the Independence Day celebration which was marked with various cultural performances, choreography, special numbers etc.
MANGKOLEMBA: To commemorate the 25 years of Mangkolemba ADC headquarter establishment, parliamentary secretary for NRE, Toyang Changkong Chang inaugurated the first ever exhibition cum sale stalls displayed by Co-Operative Societies, agri, medical and rural development departments during the celebration of the 70th Independence Day at Mangkolemba. Dibuia, MPCSLtd, Ever green MPCS Ltd & Mangkolemba MPCS Ltd under Co-Operative department, R.D Block Tsurangkong, Longchem & Mangkolemba under RD Department and Agri Department displayed local products and handicrafts and first aid assistance under medical department was put up during the celebration organised at Kumpani ground, Mangkolemba.
PHEK: Programme was held at Phek local ground with minister for Forest, Environment & Wildlife, Dr. Neikesalie Nicky Kire as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering the chief guest stated that the department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has collaborated with the community to develop the Nagaland model of conservation which was recognized as a new paradigm for community conservation, exemplified by our success in providing safe passage to the to the migrating Amur Falcons. Earlier, he unfurled the national flag, took Rashtriya salute and inspected the parade. District awards were also given away on the occasion. The entertainment items included drill display by Royal Foundation School Phek and Christian Home High School Phek, folk song by Muho SHG Cultural troupe, Phek town and folk dance by Valiant Club Cultural troupe from Bible Hill Colony Phek town. Feeding of patients at Civil Hospital Phek and District Jail inmates were carried out by the Phek district Veteran Football Association. In the evening pogramme an exhibition women football match was played between Bethany-II colony & Bible Hill colony Phek Town which was followed by the beating of the retreat by 46th Assam Rifles Phek.
WOKHA: The programme was held at local ground, Wokha with minister for Power, Kipili Sangtam as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering the chief guest said that it was a day to look back and see how far we have travelled and how good our achievements have been in helping the country reach the glorious heights that we all promised ourselves at the dawn of independence. All together 17 parade contingents took part in the march past which was led by parade commander, asst.commandant 7th NAP, Senti Jamir. Other highlights of the programme included folk song by Senthan Cultural Troupe, Longsa Women Cultural Troupe, drill display by Cistus School, song by Differently Abled persons and choreography by Adolescent Girls club. Feeding of inmates at Sub-Jail was carried out by ADS, Wokha, Dr.Motsuo Memorial District Hospital by DRDA, Mhondamo Memorial hospital by St.Paul’s Church and 28 Assam Rifles hospital by district administration, Wokha.
TIZIT: Parliamentary Secretary for irrigation & flood control, Jacob Zhimomi graced the occasion at Tizit sub-division ADC headquarter, public ground Tizit town. The chief guest took salute from 11 parade contingents. Special items were presented by Trinity School Tizit, Loakho Union Tizit, Jaboka Union Tizit, tug of war between GBs and DBs. Beating of retreat was performed by 6th NAP Tizit.
LONGLENG: Longleng district headquarter celebrated the day at local ground with minister for Road & Bridges, Y. Vikheho Swu as the chief guest. The minister unfurled the national flag and took the salute from 10 parade contingents. He also inaugurated the exhibition stalls put up by the various departments and SHGs. Other highlights of the function included folk dance by Good Shepherd School, Longleng and PhomLompong High School, Longleng. In the evening programme an exhibition football match was played between Super King Club vs Super Stable Club and Women volley ball match between Women Police vsYingli College.
PFUTSERO: The day was celebrated at Pfütsero with adviser NBDA,NEPED, Naiba Konyak as the chief guest. The parade contingents included DEF Pfütsero, Pfütsero Government College, Chakhesang Mission Higher Secondary School, Nazareth school, Bharat Scouts and Guides, TMT School, Union Christian School, Government Higher Secondary School and Baptist school Pfütsero Highlights of the function included National Anthem by Baptist Theological College, sweets distribution and beating of the retreat. The programme was attended by all government officials, NGO leaders, and public leaders of Pfütsero Town, students and general public.
BHANDARI: 70th Independence Day was also celebrated at Bhandari with parliamentary secretary for Geology and Mining Dr.Imtiwapang Aier as the chief guest. The programme started with unfurling of the national flag and speech by the chief guest. The parliamentary secretary also inaugurated BTBC Women Wing exhibition stall.
TUENSANG: In Tuensang the chief guest was minister Transport & Civil Aviation, IT & C, P. Paiwang Konyak with parade review by DIG (R) Tuensang. The chief guest took salute from the seventeen contingents who participated in the parade. A patriotic song was presented by students of Loyem Memorial School, Tuensang. The Chang, Khiamniungan, Sangtam, Yimchunger cultural Troupes and Heri Cultural Club presented Cultural items. Inter-ward penalty shootout competition was also held to commemorate the celebration. Red Cross society and Chambers of Commerce Tuensang initiated feeding of patients in the District hospital and inmates of the District jail Tuensang.