Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUL 12 (NPN): Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Sunday called upon the youth to preserve their cultural heritage while embracing innovation, entrepreneurship and responsible leadership, asserting that the progress of Dimapur and Nagaland depends on the collective efforts of all communities irrespective of language or ethnicity.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 2nd Youth Conclave-cum-Cultural Fest 2026, organised by the Linguistic Minority Forum of Nagaland (LMFN) on the theme “Unity in Diversity” at Town Hall here, the Governor described the event as a reflection of Dimapur’s identity as a meeting point of diverse cultures, languages and traditions.
He said the festival celebrated not only the unique identities of different communities but also the harmony that emerged from diversity.
Congratulating the LMFN for bringing various communities onto a common platform, Yadav said the forum had conveyed a powerful message that diversity was one of Nagaland’s greatest strengths.
He acknowledged the contributions made by linguistic minority communities towards the state’s economy, education and social harmony, describing their role as invaluable.
Addressing the youth, the Governor said they were both custodians of their cultural heritage and architects of Nagaland’s future.
He urged them to remain rooted in their traditions while adapting to a changing world through knowledge, skills, entrepreneurship and responsible leadership.
He encouraged young people not merely to seek opportunities but to create them, stressing that innovation, self-reliance and leadership were essential for the state’s development.
He further said identity should unite rather than divide people and urged citizens from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds to work together, innovate together and lead with sensitivity. Expressing hope that the conclave would strengthen friendship among communities and inspire fresh ideas, he urged everyone to respect diversity, reinforce unity and work together towards building a brighter future for Nagaland.
Delivering the welcome address, LMFN president Bishnu Bhattacharjee said the forum was established to promote “unity in diversity with dignity” and strengthen harmony among linguistic minority communities. He said the conclave sought to bring together youths and representatives of different communities to promote friendship, national integration, cultural understanding and constructive dialogue while addressing issues relating to education, employment, healthcare, social welfare, constitutional rights and youth empowerment.
Reaffirming the forum’s commitment to work with the state government, tribal organisations, civil society and educational institutions, Bhattacharjee said LMFN respected the indigenous Naga people, their customary institutions and the constitutional safeguards under Article 371A, while advocating inclusion, equal opportunity, constitutional justice and human dignity. He said several linguistic minority communities, including Bengalis, Gorkhas, Assamese, Bhojpuris, Odias, Punjabis, Marwaris, Biharis, Karbis, Dimasas, Meeteis, Garos and Nepalis, had contributed significantly to education, healthcare, transport, business and the overall development of Nagaland.
Placing the forum’s demands before the Governor, Bhattacharjee sought equal opportunities in higher education for children of long-settled permanent residents, issuance of Permanent Residential Certificates or domicile certificates to genuine long-settled residents and their descendants, equal access to healthcare and welfare schemes, including Ayushman Bharat and CMHIS, and fair opportunities in employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship.
He also called for a clear distinction between illegal immigrants and genuine Indian citizens who had been residing peacefully in Nagaland for generations, while supporting strict action against illegal immigration.
He further appealed for the constitution of a state-level advisory board or welfare commission to address the welfare of long-settled non-Naga permanent residents.
During the youth interaction session, Arijit Sharma, social worker Alok Pareek and LMFN legal advisor S. Harish also addressed the gathering.
The LMFN ‘Yuva Excellence Ratna Award’ was presented to youth leader and social worker Rajesh Sethi, while Lily Hasnu Dimasa was felicitated for winning a gold medal at the 16th South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship 2026 in Bhutan.
In the second session, advisor for Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Excise, Moatoshi Longkumer, said unity required mutual respect among all sections of society and stressed that respect should be earned through conduct. He acknowledged the contributions of non-Naga communities towards the state’s growth and thanked their forefathers for helping establish trade, business and essential services in Nagaland.
Observing that Nagaland was becoming increasingly interconnected, Longkumer said people from diverse backgrounds were now living, studying and working together and urged the youth to regard diversity as a strength rather than a challenge. He encouraged them to focus on skill development, saying success depended not only on academic qualifications but also on skills, discipline, adaptability and the ability to work collaboratively. He also lauded LMFN for promoting unity through cultural initiatives and urged every youth, irrespective of language or community, to contribute towards a peaceful and progressive Nagaland.
Guest of honour and Business Consultancy Network chairman K. Tungupu Zhimomi described the objectives of the conclave as timely and meaningful, saying such initiatives promoted unity in diversity, empowered youth, preserved cultural heritage and inspired responsible citizenship. He said diversity should be celebrated as a strength and acknowledged the contributions of minority communities to the state’s development. Encouraging the youth to remain resilient and hopeful, he urged them to let their success become their strongest argument and to respond to challenges with wisdom rather than hatred. The programme concluded with a cultural extravaganza.