Commissioner and secretary, Finance and Land Resource Department, Y. Kikheto Sema said schools are no less important than the churches.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of 2nd Khiamniungan Sports Council Meet 2019 at Pathso Area Public Ground, Pathso, Sema urged the communities to accord equal importance to schools which were in dilapidated condition stating that schools are the future of society.
He regretted that communities are more focused on constructing magnificent church buildings and neglected the schools where their children are sent for education for the future.
“Our people wanted to build magnificent church buildings, but they neglected our schools, which was not wise” he said.
Kikheto said schools are centre of knowledge to build future communities but have failed to understand the value of education and urged communities and leaders to give equal focus on education and spirituality.
He added that churches are mostly for Sunday while schools are serving dual purposes-for students during daytime and cattle at night and said it was the bounden duty of the communities to support the government for all round development, adding that spoon feeding days are over. “School buildings should be better than churches” he said.
Lauding the Khiamniungan people for their honesty, humbleness and hardwork the commissioner secretary urged them to extend all possible support to the government for progress in all fields and also asked Khiamniungans to be united for development.
He pointed out that one reason for the state being slow in development was due to disunity and internal rift in the society and asked people to remain united for speedy development reminding that northeast was blessed with rich resources but could not be tapped due to disunity and fissure among the communities.
Kohima Sumi Hoho (KSH) president, Dr. Vinito Chishi in his short speech said the intention of Sumi Hoho was to build and strengthen relationship with other Naga communities and that was how Sumi Hoho and Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) have been cordially working together.
KTC president, L. Ngon also insisted that Naga people work together for all round development of the state. He said coming together of Sumi Hoho and KTC way back in 2006 was a right decision towards a common goal. He also said fragmented society cannot progress and that leaders should avoid divisive politics.
Khiamniungan Sports Council president, T. Elo in his presidential address said KSC was formed in 2016 with an aim to uplift and encourage the upcoming youngsters in the field of games and sports and to promote indigenous games. He said the KSC wanted promote platform to the youth to expose their talents.
“Over and above among the indigenous games, crossbow shooting competition is one of the main events and it is been taken up in every sports meet” he said.
Elo said in the first Naga Olympic game held at Dimapur, Khiamniungans got 18 out of 26 gold medals from Tuensang district. Also KSC FC emerged as champion of Tuensang District Football Association tournament in 2018. While in the recently concluded Northeast Olympics Games held in Manipur, Tsuchoi and Songmo won the gold medals for the Khiamniungans and Naga community.
Later the Meet was kicked off by Kikheto in the presence of KTC and KSC officials and public leaders.