Kaito urges Sümis to prioritise ‘Sütsa’

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperation, G Kaito Aye called upon the Sümis to prioritise “Sütsa” (language) as it was their identity while reminding that “without language culture cannot be preserved”.
He was addressing the 75th platinum jubilee celebration of Sümi Literature Board (SLB) held under the theme, “Our Mother Tongue, Our Identity” at Multi Complex Hall, Zunheboto, Tuesday.
Encouraging Sümis to prioritise “Sütsa”, he said, “to preserve our culture importance should be given to Sütsa, without language culture cannot be preserved”.
Kaito said that sooner or later Nagas should have common language that was why Nagas should give importance to language and literature.
Earlier, the minister also unveiled the SLB platinum jubilee souvenir and released four textbooks for undergraduates. Director SBC, Rev Dr. Khehovi Shohe, invoked the monolith blessing.
In a welcome address, chairman jubilee planning board, H. Khekuto Khulu stated that, to mark the historic occasion, the SLB Jubilee committee has resolved to open Library at Sümi Headquarter Zünheboto, for which books would be donated by ex-minister, Ihezhe Zhimomi.
Urging Sümis to preserve “Sütsa”, Khulu said it has become an “endangered language” and appealed Sümis to give importance to “Sütsa” by promoting Sümi vernacular newspaper, “Sümi Küküpütsa”.
Jubilee theme speaker, (Retd.) additional director school education, Khehoni Zhimomi gave a thorough discussion on the topic, “Our Mother Tongue, Our Identity”.
Asserting the importance of preserving the mother tongue in this fast-changing world, Zhimomi said mother tongue was an integral part of a person’s life, dreams, vision. “Our forefathers have left a legacy to us, so we should also play our role to protect our language since language is our life,” she added.
Lamenting the mother tongue was slowly losing its importance in this present generation, she said English and Nagamese was replacing the mother tongue adding that such would be “very dangerous for Sütsa” and called the people to go back to their roots.
Exhorting the gathering, Sümi Hoho president, Nikheto Jimo said language was a gift from God, therefore, if a community love and protect their language then they were able to respect and love God.
Giving Biblical reference from Genesis 11:1-9, where because of language people were divided, he requested everyone to respect and protect “Sütsa”.
During the programme, HSLC and HSSLC MIL – “Sütsa Subject Topper from 1997 till 2022 under Nagaland Board of School Education were felicitated. Co-convenor, Souvenir Committee, Kitoli Naje gave away the certificate to subject toppers and SLB Pioneers. “Sütsa” language teacher V. Kaholi Chishi Government Higher Secondary School Dimapur and H. Qhetoho Awomi, Mount Olive College, Kohima were felicitated on the occasion; Sümi dictionary was released by ex-chairman Sümi Literature Board, Dr. Hokishe Yeputhomi; (Retd.) director and secretary, SLB Platinum Jubilee, Hoto Yeptho read out seven-point resolution for the welfare of SLB and Sümis in general.
The programme was chaired by chairman SLB, Vihoshe Muru and recorded by secretary SLB, Zhekügha Assumi; ES SBAK NM, Rev Hukügha Jimo pronounced the invocation; Aichisaghemi Gospel Voice presented special number; introductory note was delivered by vice chairman SLB, Dr. H. Hotokhu Chishi; administrator Sütsa Academy Zünheboto, Nihoshe Jimo recited Sütsa Poetry; ES, SBAK Aizüto, Rev Mülato Chishi invoked the jubilee blessing; finance convenor presented the jubilee finance report, Er. Küghaho Sema; banker, SLB, Shivükhü Shikhu delivered the vote of thanks and pastor, NCRC Zünheboto, Rev Kihoshe Assümi pronounced the benediction.
It may be noted that Shri Iqhevi Yesca (1947-1957) was the first chairman of SLB and Dr. Hokishe Yeputhomi is the longest serving SLB chairman from 2000-2009 and 2010-2020.