Governor of Nagaland, R.N. Ravi, who is also the ex-officio chairman of the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), said the council over the years has performed exceptionally well, however, now need “course correction”.
A press release by PRO to Governor, stated that the Governor said this while addressing a gathering during NEZCC Young Talent Artiste Award Ceremony on March 24 at Dr. Imkongliba Ao Hall, Raj Bhavan Kohima.
“States are political entity and the core character is politics and power- there is aggressiveness in it, and culture is an attribute of society- there is harmony and it brings people together,” said Ravi.
The governor expressed concern that the character of states was getting imbued in the functioning of the zonal cultural centres.
He further stated that culture of the state was basically the culture of the people living in a region and the continuum of it brings people together. Ravi then said there was a need to highlight this aspect of culture.
While congratulating the award recipients, Ravi said the award presentation programme was postponed earlier due to COVID-19 pandemic. With arrival of vaccine as well as the required protocols, he expressed hope that the people would overcome the pandemic soon.
The governor presented the YTA Award 2018-19 to the following recipients: John Paleng (Folk & Tribal Dances & Songs), Debajit Deka (Mime), Rajashre Sarma (theatre), Shivam Saikia (theatre), Khumanthem Nganthoileima (Folk song), Haobam Hemlata Devi (Theatre), Milan Laishram (Painting), Dalariti Gratel Kharnaior (Folk song), Shovezo Keyho (Painting & Sculpture), Mhasiselhu Viyie (Sculpture) and Meribeni Ngullie (Beads Making).
Earlier, director NEZCC, Gouri Basu delivered the welcome address and cultural troupes from Manipur presented traditional dances.