Nagaland Post celebrates 25 years

Nagaland Post, the premier daily in the state celebrated the occasion 25 years of establishment at an impressive and solemn function.
 On the historic event, a Thanksgiving programme was organized at Oasis which was attended by Nagaland governor, P.B. Acharya, chief minister T.R. Zeliang, ministers, parliamentary secretaries, legislators, bureaucrats, dignitaries and media persons from within and outside the state.
 In his address Acharya congratulated Editor-in-Chief, Nagaland Post, Geoffrey Yaden and his team for upholding the tradition of ethical journalism and being the voice of the people and the voiceless.
“Nagaland Post is recognised for its proactive role in highlighting the people’s problems and it is through this identification with public causes that Nagaland Post has become an influential, respected and trusted newspaper which is playing its part to make society a better place to live in”, Acharya added.
He said, since 2000, Nagaland Post has been involved in many social activities by initiating various programmes as part of its corporate social responsibility. The governor also described Geoffrey as a man of high status in the state with an influential voice in socio, economic, environment, governance and youth issues. “Geoffery Yaden as a person who not only dreams but realises his dreams”, he added.
Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang said journalism was more of a service to people than business venture.
He said contrary to popular belief, that print media was on the verge of collapse, it still continues to play a vital role in dissemination of news, providing platform to share views, opinions and ideas in the state.
In a place like Nagaland, where there were conflicts of opinions and ideologies, newspapers play a crucial role in resolving differences among the various entities, maintained Zeliang.
He expressed confidence that media in the state continue to play a vital role in bringing various sections of the Naga society together, and also towards the lasting solution to the prolonged Naga political issue.
In a candid admission, the chief minister disclosed, that Geoffrey Yaden would often call up and point out his government’s mistakes. Zeliang said he expected to read about it the next day but Geoffrey never published them in the newspaper.
 On the occasion, the chief minister called upon journalists to imbibe a healthy competitive spirit, and to project the State and society in the right perspective to the rest of the world.
Zeliang also appreciated Nagaland Post for consistently striving for journalistic excellence all these years, and also for its in-depth editorials on various social issues, thereby fairly and impartially moulding the opinions of the readers.
He also thanked and appreciated Geoffrey Yaden, for being the pioneer in daily newspaper, and for providing learned counsel to the younger generation of journalists in the State.
Realising the jubilee souvenir NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsü also congratulated Nagaland Post for their yeoman services rendered to the society and referred to the paper as “BBC of Nagaland”.  Representatives of non-Naga communities in Dimapur felicitated Nagaland Post on the occasion.
Earlier in his welcome speech, Editor Nagaland Post Geoffrey Yaden extended anniversary greetings to the Governor, chief minister and all dignitaries present including media persons from various north eastern states including representatives from other parts of India. Geoffrey said the day also belonged to all readers and well wishers and not only for Nagaland Post.
He also said Nagaland Post was not launched to fulfil an ambition but to pursue a mission. Geoffrey also placed on record the contributions made by erstwhile weekly newspapers towards journalism in the state, to herald the advent of print media in the state .
Geoffrey also said he was able to overcome severe problems in bringing out the newspaper by learning to love problems so as to deal with them with God’s grace. Director, Nagaland Post, Ao Chuba Yaden in his vote of thanks congratulated his father for achieving the milestone with sheer hard work and commitment.
Marking the day a short documentary on evolution of Nagaland Post was screened while special songs were presented by Nagaland Music Conservatory Choir and students of Hope Centre for Excellence.
Earlier, Rev. Dr. Stephen Lee (Malaysia) invoked God’s blessings.
The chief minister was accompanied by home minister, Y. Patton, ministers-Vikheho Swu, Kipili Sangtam, C.L. John and Tokheho Yepthomi, parliamentary secretaries- Pukhayi and Neiba Kronu, advisors- S.I. Jamir, Amenba Yaden, chairman, Dr. Neiphriezo Keditsu, MLAs- Merentoshi Jamir, Pangnyu.
The jubilee celebration was also attended by former MLAs- Imkong Imchen and K.L. Chishi, senior bureaucrats, entrepreneurs, representative from NGOs, former employees and well wishers.