Stating that culture defined identity, State’s lone Rajya Sabha Member KG Kenye called upon all to preserve and promote their culture.
Speaking at Sükrünye 2019 Mini Hornbill Festival here on Wednesday, Kenye, however, added that culture was not only about festivals, but had a much more meaning to the society.
He explained that culture was not just about dances and songs, but of character and way of living that should be preserved. Qualities like honesty, being upright, hardworking and sacrificing are some golden virtues that the world was looking for, he added.
The MP asserted that no ethnic group in the world would be culturally rich “as ours”, with every sub-tribe having its own unique culture. Thanking the State government for promoting culture of the Nagas through mini hornbill festivals, the MP stressed that the festival should not serve as a cultural exhibition only, but also should be used to earn revenue by the department concerned. He said he was hopeful that tourism at the community level would pick up.
Observing that “tribalism was breaking us apart” and that the State has been broken up into southern, central, eastern, etc, regions, Kenye remarked “Whatever we reap today is due to the efforts of our forefathers, including the State. We have no right to destroy the hard work as we like.” He called upon all to live in peace and unity for the greater public interest. He urged the young generation to take up responsibilities and pass on the good traits to their next generation. He was in viewed that the present generation was “most unproductive”, fighting and quarrelling over little things handed by the forefathers.
“We are contributing absolutely nothing. We are self-centred and a selfish generation. The posterity will look back at us and say we have done nothing. We have become stagnant. Let’s look forward to and work for a progressive future. Let us try our best to give back to the society and see what we can contribute to the society,” he exhorted.
Stressing on the importance of maintaining original designs and motifs, the MP urged the promoters not to modify traditional Naga shawls and other clothings. He said “People world over were in search of origin stuff. So, let us return to the origin and preserve our traditional items without modifying them.”
In his greetings, Chakhesang Public Organisation’s newly-inducted president Mikha Kenye urged the people to maintain peace and unity to march ahead. He also sought public support and co-operation to begin his new tenure.
The welcome address was delivered by Chakhesang Mothers’ Association president Zhonelu Tunyi. Lozaphuhu village cultural troupe and team Metamorphosis, Wokha made special presentation.
NPF legislator Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu will grace Day-3 of the ongoing event on Thursday.
Signature campaign for greener Phek
In a bid to eradicate plastic use in Phek district, Rajya Sabha member KG Kenye launched a Swachh Bharat signature campaign under the theme “I chose to reuse and say no to plastic” here on Wednesday.
The campaign is part of the ongoing Sükhrünye Mini Hornbill Festival organised by the district administration and Phek Town Council.
The campaign is a call to everyone in the district to pledge against use of plastic and join hands to protect the environment in a move towards strengthening the State government’s effort.
The Phek Town Council was one of the first urban local bodies in the State to ban single use plastic in 2017. The State government had issued a notification in December last year banning single use plastics, including water bottles and styrofoam products.