Youth must envision future, says Dr Jamir

The first ‘Dr. S.C. Jamir Meritorious Award’, instituted by the Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (OKM), was conferred on Moamenla B. Kichu (HSLC Topper 9th rank, 2024) and Moasanen Pongen (HSLC Topper 2nd rank, 2025) at a felicitation programme held at Town Hall, Mokokchung, on Saturday.
Addressing the gathering as the special guest, former chief minister of Nagaland and former governor, Dr. S.C. Jamir, congratulated the awardees and urged the youth to emulate their excellence. He remarked that while competition is not new, what one does after excelling should be aimed at a “higher and nobler objective” in their academic and professional careers.
Highlighting the changes in the global landscape, Jamir said the world today is vastly different from that of three decades ago, driven by knowledge and technology—what he termed a “knowledge economy.” He said that while it is important to preserve the past, the younger generation must also envision the future and live accordingly in the now interconnected global village.
On Nagaland, Dr. Jamir urged youth to critically assess the current state of affairs and ask “where are we heading,” especially in a society crowded with civil society organisations and nationalist movements often lacking clear objectives. Lamenting that Nagaland, once seen as a wonder, had become a desolate state, he challenged the present generation to build a better future that will allow youth to move forward hand-in-hand with the rest of the world.
Earlier, OKM president Tongpangmangyang Kichu delivered the welcome address, followed by a short speech from Alemtoshi Imsong, president of Ongpangkong Mungdang (OM). Dr. S.C. Jamir Meritorious Award Trust Committee convenor, Senti Walling, delivered the vote of thanks.
The programme also featured the OKM anthem and special numbers presented by the Aliba Students’ Union and Chuchuyimpang Students’ Union.