Re-envision Nagaland as a land of peace & harmony: Jamir

Veteran Naga politician, former governor and also former chief minister Dr. S.C. Jamir urged upon the youth to adopt a fresh approach in envisioning a futuristic Nagaland as a land of peace and harmony.
Dr. Jamir said this while addressing the 37th Freshers’ Day at Public Commerce College (PCC) here on Friday. He said it was time for youth to readapt and rejuvenate themselves for moulding the State afresh. He however urged them not to blindly imitate their elders to build a new Nagaland.
Dr. Jamir also said the present generation had attributes that were far more progressive, informed and dynamic then the older generation. He said that the present world today was vastly different from what it was 50 years ago. Dr. Jamir said that in the past, the strength of a country earlier was determined and measured by the resources available, but now it was the knowledge economy.
Quoting from “The Age of Discontinuity” by Peter Ducker, who popularised the concept of knowledge economy, Dr. Jamir explained that knowledge economy meant countries not blessed with abundant capital and managerial resources, discovering that with right knowledge and ability, they could overcome hurdles and steal a march over countries that were richly endowed only with capital and material resources.
In this regard, Dr. Jamir challenged the youth to make use of knowledge for good use and mentioned that Nagaland had huge potential for growth and development through knowledge economy. He also urged the youth not to spend time trying to find faults with others but to be the candle instead of cursing the darkness.
Speaking on the education system in Nagaland, Dr. Jamir remarked that development in information technology was bringing visible transformation to every sphere of life for citizens, while emphasis was given on education and skill development. He said these were to meet the demand for high quality and trained human resources to keep up the momentum of growth in infrastructure, curriculum content and research.
He also lamented that Nagaland continued to rely on passive learning and urged upon the teachers to keep themselves abreast with new knowledge and technology, besides laying emphasis on skill development.
Quoting William Arthur, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires”, Dr. Jamir urged upon teachers to ignite minds of youth to develop a quest for knowledge and desire to make this world a harmonious place to live in, stressing that educating the mind without educating the heart was no education at all.
Dwelling on his vision for Nagaland, Jamir emphasised that people of Nagaland cannot afford to remain in a world of fantasy, while reminding that most leaders were still talking about past events.
He urged upon the gathering not to destroy the dreams of leaders of yesteryears, who had dreamt of a united, harmonious, peaceful, progressive and prosperous Nagaland. He appealed to the younger generation to fight for a united and strong Nagaland instead of a divided one.
He also spoke on how Nagaland came into being while recalling that Nagaland was created through a political agreement of 1960s between then Prime Minister of India and representatives of Naga People’s Convention to become the 16thState of Indian Union.
Calling for a united, harmonious, peaceful, progressive and prosperous Nagaland, he opined that a strong and united Nagaland would be the most reliable sentinel to ensure security of India, rather than a fragmented one that would be a heavy burden and a perennial liability, both politically and economically, to Government of India.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Livika V Wokhami, invocation offered by Supongsangla Tzudir and welcome address delivered by PCC Students’ Union president Gwasino Rengma.
Short speeches were also delivered by PCC principal Dr AK Talukder, All Nagaland College Students’ Union president Toito D Chishi, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union speaker Michael Kath, PCC Alumni Association president Kutoho Chishi and Gulshan Hussain on behalf of freshers.
It may be noted Md Shazad and Kiran Adhikari were adjudged as Mr and Miss Fresher, 2022 for PCC.