Border peace festival in Haluwating

To further strengthen the brotherly relations among the people living in the border area of Sivasagar in Assam and Mokokchung in Nagaland, a daylong “Assam-Nagaland Festival 2015” was held, Friday  at Amguri Tea Garden Field, Haluwating, in Sivasagar district with the active initiation by the Sivasagar district administration as a part of “peace outreach program”. The day long function was traditionally inaugurated by the deputy commissioner of Sivasagar, Virendra Mittal and his counterpart deputy commissioner, Mokokchung, Sushil Kumar Patel.
Cultural teams, men and women volleyball teams, Self Help Groups (SHGs) from surrounding Assam and Nagaland villagers partook in the programme. In his welcoming address, ADC Sivasagar, DN Morang applauded the participants especially those from neighbouring Nagaland state attending the festival in a “big number”. Sivasagar DC, Virendra Mittal also applauded the stakeholders and thanked the public participants including different NGOs led by the Mokokchung district administration and police. He also thanked the Mokokchung district administration for the effective coordination they received at various times.
“It is with such exposure amongst the people to people contact through sports, cultural exchange, meetings etc. between the two neighbouring district that can surely yield the goodwill amongst all section of people and thus harmonize the society for peace and development,” said Mittal.
DC Mokokchung, Sushil Kumar Patel also applauded his counterpart for organizing such a mega event for harbouring peace between the two neighbours and assured further cooperation in the days to come. Describing India as a “unique country”, Sushil said that Nagaland and Assam states are same stakeholders and interdependent on each other. He pointed out that in the past Nagaland was also part of Assam adding that people from Nagaland also share the same “sentiments” with the people of Assam. The DC was also hopeful that knowing and appreciating each other’s socio, economic and cultural values would enshrine goodwill and help in reducing conflict.
The daylong event witnessed tug of war (both men and women) between the teams of Assam and Nagaland where Assam men team won.  On the other hand it was Nagaland women team who defeated their counterpart. In the same manner, in volleyball (men), Assam defeated Nagaland while Nagaland women team defeated Assam.  A host of cultural groups from Tuli area representing Tuli town, Tzudikong, Wameken, Kangtsung, Anaki etc. performed including display of Naga bamboo cutting, stick walking, Go-cart etc while Bihu dance, Jhomur dance, the famous Gumrag dance of “Mishing tribe” of Assam etc. were performed.
The programme ended with prize distribution by the DCs of Sivasagar and Mokokchung.  Further it was informed that a programme similar to this would be held at Aathkhel Bazar Playgorund at Gelakey (Sivasagar) on February 25. Participants from both Longleng and Mokokchung districts along with Sivasagar are expected in the meet.