State chief minister Neiphiu Rio has stressed the importance of discipline and hard work in achieving personal goals. According to a DIPR report, the chief minister said this while speaking the 75th Anniversary celebration of the United Sangtam Students Conference (USSC) at the public ground, Longkhim town on Saturday.
Pointing out that the state’s literacy rate stood at 80% surpassing the national average, the chief minister, however, lamented that Mon district in the ENPO area had the lowest percentage. He assured to put efforts to elevate Tuensang district and bring Mon district on a par with state-level standards in various sectors.
Comparing the results between government and private schools in the State, Rio called for collective responsibility, saying that not only the concerned departments and teachers, but also tribal hohos, village councils, village leaders, and student leaders should actively contribute to improving educational outcomes.
The chief minister also urged the student community to pursue quality education. Rio said that achieving the significant milestone of the 75th Anniversary stood as a monumental accomplishment. He paid tribute to the pioneers and present leaders, recognizing their vision that education was the key to a better future.
Highlighting the sacrifices and hardships endured in establishing USSC, the chief minister reminded of the Sangtam tribe’s prominent role in various activities within the ENPO area. Rio also called for reflecting on the past and present during such celebratory anniversaries.
Further, emphasizing the need for re-dedication to values of brotherhood, unity, and peaceful coexistence, the chief minister called for transformation of Nagas, historically known as brave warriors and head hunters, into peace warriors aligning with Christian principles.
As a part of the celebration, chief minister Rio unveiled jubilee monolith and unfurled the USSC flag.
The event featured folk dance performances by male and female cultural troupes from Sungrep, Chungtor, and Tsadang villages. Short speeches were delivered by USLP president K Aliba Sangtam, DC Tuensang Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa, ENPO president R. Tsapikiu Sangtam.
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by planning committee convenor Imlikumba Sangtam while Samuel B. Sangtam delivered the presidential address. Azila Rüdy presented a special performance, while Athrongla R. Sangtam and Chongrokhum Sangtam compered the event.