Norman putsure College organised the Northeast Cultural Fest 2026 under the theme “A Campus of Culture” on October 9, at its college campus, Chumoukedima with the objective of promoting cultural awareness among students and preserving the rich cultural heritage inherited from their forefathers.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, college principal Dr. Timothy Langwangbe said the cultural fest had been organised annually since the inception of the college, but this year marked the first time it was expanded under the name Northeast Cultural Fest.
He said the college had initially planned to involve institutions from across the northeastern states and had received responses from three to four states. However, participants from other states could not attend at the last moment, resulting in participation mainly from educational institutions within Nagaland, along with participants from Assam in the Young India session.
Dr. Langwangbe said the primary objective of the fest was to make students aware of the importance of culture and encourage them to preserve and pass on their rich cultural heritage to the next generation.
He observed that many students, particularly those from urban backgrounds, had limited knowledge of their traditional customs, cuisines and practices. Through cultural dramas, skits, dances and traditional war cries, the fest sought to help students reconnect with their roots and rediscover traditions that were gradually being forgotten.
“We want our students to be well-rooted in their own cultures,” the principal said. He said the event was jointly planned by the college management, including the managing director and principal, in coordination with heads of departments and faculty members. This year’s edition was organised in collaboration with the Young India Nagaland Chapter, with its officials and members participating in the programme.
Dr. Langwangbe added that the fest would continue as an annual event, irrespective of the collaboration with Young India, while the college planned to expand its reach further in the coming years. Assistant professor of English, Limayala Changkilari, said the one-day fest was conducted in two sessions, with five higher secondary schools participating in the morning session. Of these, two were from Kohima and three from the Chumoukedima-Dimapur area. The morning session featured the inaugural programme, Norman’s Got Talent, debate, quiz, spelling bee and the annual hide-and-seek competition. Students showcased their talents through various activities, followed by the distribution of prizes.
The afternoon session featured college students from St. Joseph, Tetso, Mount Mary and C-Edge, along with participants from Assam who joined the Young India session. Activities included cultural drama, a cultural fashion show and the Young India’s Got Talent competition.
Changkilari said the event had previously been conducted on a smaller scale as a campus fest, but this year it was expanded into a larger cultural platform involving schools and colleges. She added that the initiative provided students with opportunities to showcase their talents while learning about and appreciating their cultural heritage. (Staff Reporter)
