DIMAPUR: A series of academic and awareness programmes were organised across Nagaland on August 21, focusing on history, entrepreneurship, and mental health, providing platforms for students to engage in meaningful discussions and practical learning.
At Modern College, Piphema, the annual State Level Students’ Seminar was organised by the Department of History under the theme “Cultural Interpretation and Social Transformation: Decolonizing Naga History.” Supported by the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Nagaland, the keynote address was delivered by Dr. T. Cholichem Sangtam, HoD, Political Science, Tetso College.
Dr. Sangtam emphasised the need to critically examine and decolonise how Naga history and culture have been represented, urging students to reclaim indigenous voices and narratives. The seminar featured four technical sessions with 21 paper presenters from colleges across Nagaland and Manipur. Best paper awards were presented to Lamgousang and Neizokholie (Modern College) who secured first position, Nungshibenla (Tetso College) and Asieno Kielienyü and Pezangunuo Pfukri (Modern College) in second position, and Tsuvie o Koza (Baptist College) in third.
At Pranab College, Entrepreneurship Day 2026 was observed with a programme organised by the Entrepreneurship Cell in collaboration with the Career Guidance & Counselling Cell and Department of Commerce. The event featured a keynote address by Rupam Dasgupta, Assistant Professor, Commerce, and a pep talk by Kimthailiu Panmei, entrepreneur and social worker.
A highlight of the programme was the Innovation Competition, where cross departmental student groups presented entrepreneurial ideas. Group C emerged as the winner. The event also included a Campus Sale, giving students practical exposure to entrepreneurial activities. The programme encouraged creativity, teamwork and problem solving, while fostering innovation and collaboration across departments.
Dimapur 24/7 Foundation, in collaboration with District Integrated Strategy for HIV/AIDS (DISHA), Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur, conducted an HIV/AIDS awareness programme at Eden Higher Secondary School, Thilixu, on August 24 under the theme “Awareness Today, Protection for Tomorrow.”
According to a press release, the awareness session was led by District Programme Officer (DPO), DISHA, Orenthung Ngullie, who spoke on HIV transmission, prevention, testing, and the importance of seeking correct information and support. He also addressed common misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS and stressed the need to prevent stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
The session was followed by an interactive question and answer segment, where students raised queries and sought clarification on various aspects of HIV/AIDS.
The release added that the programme was conducted under the leadership of Dimapur 24/7 chairperson, Annie Jain, and was attended by more than 300 students.
Meanwhile, Pfutsero Government College (PGC) organised a one day seminar on mental health under the theme “Supporting Young Minds: Building Hope and Resilience.” The seminar was organised by the Mental Health Cell, Department of Sociology and Department of Education.
Resource persons included Veronica Nriame, Psychiatric Social Worker, DMHP, NHAK, and Chuti Semy, Counsellor, Rengma Baptist Church. Nriame spoke on mental health as a positive dimension of well being, addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, suicide, internet addiction and substance abuse. She encouraged students to adopt healthy coping mechanisms and focus on personal growth.
Semy, speaking on “Understanding Addiction: A Biopsychosocial Perspective,” explained addiction as a compulsive behaviour extending beyond substance use to include gaming, social media and online shopping. He suggested strategies such as dopamine fasting, setting boundaries and uninstalling addictive apps to break the cycle.