Inaugurating the ‘Maati Ke Rang’2015, union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju expressed delight to be with Nagas as the festival was appropriately brought by the government of India to Dimapur, in Nagaland- the land that was full of festivals.
Speaking as chief guest at the festival held in the NEZCC complex here, the minister said he was impressed by the manner in which ‘Maati Ke Rang’ displaying the mosaic of cultures, had been conceived and designed by the NEZCC in Dimapur.
Stating that “more flowers make a garden beautiful” as with India’s rich heritage, which were more than anywhere else in the world, Rijiju said “we must celebrate all cultures without discrimination against any”.
He asserted that a country was great only when every community was respected adding if north east did not find a place or respect outside the region, then “India cannot progress”.
Affirming the message from all senior government officials and leaders from the north east, Rijiju said “ we will not tolerate any discrimination based on race, caste or religion”.
Referring to the speech made earlier by Nagaland chief minister T.R.Zeliang on the Bezbaurah Committee report, Rijiju said the government of India has adopted a policy where no one from the north east would be subjected to discrimination and educating students from class I to class X on the people and culture of the north east.
“We may be far from Delhi but we are not less for Delhi” said Rijiju while on the region sharing only 1% of its boundary with mainland India. He called upon people of the region to use the location to their advantage, that – “looking from the east, India begins from the north east”.
Rijiju said he was responsible for the north east in the government and it was therefore, his responsibility to ensure that every step was taken to make that possible.
The MoS(MHA) also invoked the new year and ‘Maati Ke Rang’ festival, to commit himself to work for the Naga people by striving to bring about solution to the Naga political issue.
The MoS(MHA) also reminded that under the directives of prime minister Narendra Modi, a union minister would visit the region every 15 days. He said with ministers, officials would have to come and people would then follow.
He said only the people of the north east could bridge the gap of understanding and therefore, people need not go to Delhi but people should come to the region.
In his speech, guest of honour, Nagaland chief minister T.R.Zeliang stressed on the problem faced by North East people outside the state because of ignorance and difference of the ethnic diversity.
Zeliang said with the initiative of dynamic leader Kiren rijiju NE will soon become a significant player in the country.
Appreciating the participants for the event Zeliang wished them a joyous, comfortable stay and to carry good memories with them to their homeland. The inaugural function was attend by Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio, Rajya Sabha MP Rajya Khekiho Zhimomi and host of government officials.
Thursday, February 19, 2026