The 30th Biennial General Conference of Angami Students’ Union (ASU) began on Friday at Tuophema village under the theme “Rational integrity” with Dr Tseilhoutuo (Ato) Rhütso, MLA as the inaugural guest.
In his speech Dr Ato said progress was important in life and a people should keep asking themselves if they had made any progress.
He challenged village elders, officers and organizations to ponder if they were performing better than their predecessors. Similarly, he said, students should also question themselves if they were diligently doing their duties as students.
He said at present the society was in need of skilled youth who were competent and have the will to progress.
He added that farmers must also cultivate with new methods of farming in order progress.
Challenging the gathered students, Dr. Ato urged them to work for the greater interest of all the Nagas. Instead of simply looking for government jobs, he encouraged them to create jobs, be job providers and make avenues for people to earn their livelihood.
Sharing about himself, Dr Ato said, he served as a surgeon in government hospitals for 13 years and later went on to start a private hospital which made it possible for him to provide jobs to about 100 healthcare workers.
He advised students about the ill effects of alcohol, which not only affects the health of the consumer but the family.
On reservation of jobs, he wondered if tribes covered under reservation were really benefiting from the quota. He observed that kins of the creamy layer of a society take away reservation of students who were deprived of educational opportunities.
He urged student bodies to ensure that the creamy layer was excluded from reservation policies.
He suggested that reservation policy should be made clear and the purpose of reservation would be justice if the creamy layer of tribes under reservation policy were removed.
He also recommended tribes to urge the government to relook the reservation policy.
Earlier the programme was chaired by ASU tribunal, Vizokho Zashümo while St John Bosco Church, Tuophema, catechist, Dziesedilhou Sylvester Zumu invoked God’s blessings.
Tuophema Village Students’ Union president, Seyiekuolie Sanchu delivered the welcome address and greetings were conveyed by Northern Angami Students’ Union president Atouzo Kerhüo and Ao Students’ Union president, Lanutoshi Aier.
A traditional song was performed by Chakhesang Students’ Union and a special number by Virie. The conference will culminate on April 30.
ASU biennial conference begins
Correspondent