Nagaland an equal partner in nation building: Gov

Nagaland joined rest of the country in celebrating the 74th Republic Day on Thursday with pomp and splendour at the New Secretariat Plaza here, where Nagaland governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi addressed the gathering.
Addressing the gathering after unfurling the national flag and taking the salute, governor Mukhi said that the State had achieved significant milestones, becoming an equal and contributing partner in the nation-building process.
He called for exploring further and tap into the potentials of the State’s resources, both natural and human, in order to enhance productivity of people in all sectors. Mukhi emphasized on empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections of the society to ensure that they too should find a place in the country’s growth and development. He said while pursuing the goal of high growth rates, there was a need to ensure that all people of the State benefitted from it.
The governor also stressed on reducing developmental gap between urban and rural. And to make this happen, he said it was imperative to use technology and make it relevant to the remotest and most vulnerable groups of people in the society. He pointed out that this demanded creativity, good connectivity and deep-rootedness of oneself to the society and being conscious of its problems, limitations and aspirations.
He suggested that the agriculture sector could also rely more on technological advancement, through which mechanisation and optimisation of tools and implements could be realized for better harvest.
Asserting that Nagas were second to none in human resources and noting that there were already many success stories, Mukhi urged Nagas to be focused and persistent in their pursuit for knowledge and service towards community and humanity.
He appealed to citizens for a national movement for development, suggesting that citizens’ participation could be in many important areas like reaching the unreached, feedback on public services, human resource development, entrepreneurship, role of homemakers, environment development and youth participation in the political system.
Pointing out that the quality of life in a society was often determined by literacy rate, Mukhi expressed happiness over the State’s literacy rate of 80.11% in 2021 as per the National Statistical Office data, which was above the national average. He claimed that the State’s endeavour was to ensure that no child missed out on education and that every citizen had a chance to better their lives, which in turn would contribute greatly to the progress of the nation.
He further said that the country had made quantum improvement in its capabilities to meet the challenges of health issues, including Covid-19, with the collective resolve and determination of everyone by making significant accretions in hospital beds, medical oxygen, ventilators, essential medicines and also in improving logistic capabilities.
Prof Mukhi stated that the formation of the Republic on 26th January 1950 was the first milestone in the march towards realizing the dreams of the people in the aftermath of India’s Independence.
He said the Constitution gave expression to the goals, ideals and values that guided the freedom struggle and laid the foundations of the structure of governance and is committed to secure justice, liberty and equality as well as dignity for all the citizens of the country.
He said the day is to remember the efforts and sacrifices of the freedom fighters which gave India its Independence and created the Republic. He called upon everyone to recall the nation builders and architects of the Constitution, which gave India’s identity as a Sovereign Democratic Republic.
On the occasion, Prof. Mukhi also paid homage to Gandhi, who he said was one of twentieth century’s greatest political and spiritual leaders. He also lauded the role of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, which allowed him to leave a profound and enduring mark on Indian trajectories of democratic justice and affirmative action policy.
Mukhi also hailed the pioneers of Nagaland who had made significant contribution and sacrifices in realising their dream of a State. He observed that Nagaland was formed in 1963 with a special constitutional dispensation that safeguarded the identity and interests of Naga people and laid a solid foundation for developing the future of the people according to their own genius.
He acknowledged that Nagaland was born under most difficult circumstances and admitted that building a united Naga society, nurturing democratic ethos in a poor and challenged situation and safeguarding tribal honour and dignity in a difficult political climate were a challenge for all sections. He however noted that Nagaland had made an indelible mark in the march towards growth and development of the country.
The Republic Day parade comprised of 13 contingents led by parade commander, dy. commandant, 4th NAP Z. James Sema and 2nd in-command, asstt. commandant, 4th NAP R. Tunyi. The contingents included– 1 Assam Rifles, 78 CRPF, 37 BSF, Assam Police, DEF Kohima, 4th NAP, 10th IR Bn, 15th IR Mahila, Home Guards & Civil Defence & SDRF, NAP Rangers, NPTS brass band, Nagaland Police auxiliary brass band and 15th IR Mahila Pipe band.
The celebration was also marked with a dance performance ‘Kadam KadamBadhaye Ja’ by the Women Resources Development department, a Tati Folk Song titled ‘TsunuoTsubou’ by the Kevira Cultural Troupe, Kohima Village and traditional folk dances by Pochury Cultural Troupe, Kohima, Shena (old) Cultural Troupe, Kohima; Konyak Cultural Troupe, Kohima; and Phom Cultural Troupe, Kohima.