Deputy chief minister, Y Patton, who is also BJP Nagaland legislature party leader and minister of H&TE and Tribal Affairs Temjen Imna Along, lauded the activities and objective of the Janjati Shiksha Samiti(JSS) Nagaland at the Samiti’s 3rd Academic Assembly here at Kevijau Colony Saturday.
Speaking as guest of honour on the occasion Patton appreciated the multi-discipline activities of the Janjati Shiksha Samiti (JSS) Nagaland to promote education, social, cultural and community development in Nagaland.
The deputy chief minister said JSS, as a registered non-profitable NGO, has been engaging in various activities not only in the field of education, but also in “social upliftments”. He urged the JSS to “continue in this noble endeavour.”
Describing education as a tool of development, Patton said classification of nation state was dependent on the status of education in a respective society.
“While preserving the rich culture and tradition of the tribal students, I encourage imparting quality education”, Patton said. He asserted that education was not only essential in developing one’s own personality, but also helps in national integration.
Minister Higher and Technical Education and Tribal Affairs, Temjen Imna Along Longkumer, who graced the programme as special guest, stated that objective of JSS was to produce nationalist children. Along stated that he would not be surprised of being accused of trying to change the colour of the state.
Further, Along reiterated that it was time people dismiss the presumptions and assumptions and come to sense that the school was there to uplift the society.
He contended that if a non Christian could go to a Catholic school and not become a Christian, the same could be followed by the Christians also. He maintained that wearing a dhoti was not going to make Nagaland into Bihar or Uttar Pradesh.
Along remarked that India was an inclusive society and that one cannot behave like an excluded one.
He stated that it was community centric education that would create a vibrant society.
Earlier, short speeches were also delivered by DC Dimapur, Kevekha Kevin Zehol, District Education Officer, R Amongla Jamir and President, JSS, Pankaj Sinha.
Special numbers were also performed by students of JSS and a magazine named “Naga Bharti” was launched during the event.
According to an Indian Express report published on April 4, 2018, JSS is an NGO affiliated to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).