The two-day first Zhavame day with the theme “Culture : Retrospect, revive, bequeath” with minister of Planning Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu as the special guest got underway at public amphitheatre, Pame Tsüdu Zhavame village under Phek district , about 80 kms away from the state capital on Monday.
Kronu in his address lauded Zhavame village for its hard working culture and being a popular village not only in Phek district but across the state. He reminded that due to its hard working culture and vegetable production the village was declared as “organic vegetable village” by the state government. Minister assured to the village farmers to set up an outlet for the produces from the village in Dimapur to solve marketing problem.
Minister appealed the gathering to maintain unity and cordial relationship amongst themselves and with the neighbouring villages to ensure peace and harmony in the village.
For sustainable development, Kronu urged the people to conserve forest and its biodiversity. In this regard, minister shared his vision to make Mt. Kapamodzu a tourist destination to create job opportunity and he assured to build a rest house for the visitors.
He encouraged the villagers to also start coffee plantation which can grow under the trees to boost the income of the people. He further encouraged the villagers not to have differences on political line but collectively work together for the development of the village.
Earlier, Neiba Kronu unveiled the monolith of the first Zhavame day celebration.
Ex-minister Deo Nukhu in his address lauded the reconciliation programme organized by the village recently which would strengthen the village relationship and to promote the prosperity of the village. While appreciating the various initiative of the Zhavame Students’ Union, former minister also advised the union to focus on village sanitation and forest conservation. Nukhu encouraged the farmers to work harder and produce more as when population increases the demand would be more, leading to increased earning for livelihood.
Village council chairman Vivotso Domeh in his address informed that the first Zhavame day celebration was part of the village resolution and it would be celebrated after every five years. He said this celebration was initiated with the motive to strengthen relationship among villagers and know each other better as villagers settle in different places away from village. He appealed them to be good citizens and to be honest wherever they are and set good Christian examples. Domeh urged the gathering not to forget the good culture of forefathers and pass on to the upcoming generations too.
The programme was chaired by convenor organizing committee D. Mosonyi Domeh, compeered by Martha Dukru and Vipa Domeh, invocation prayer by pastor Zhavame Baptist Church Rev. Akha Shupao, welcome address delivered by village council chairman Vivotso Domeh, special songs presented by Zhavame Union Kohima, while benediction prayer said by catechist St. Ignatius Catholic Church Muzho Michael Krocha.
Other highlights included competitions like pounding soaked rice, traditional sound making, bamboo climbing, pounding & winnowing of rice and other traditional practices. Programme was attended by thousands of villagers living in Kohima, Dimapur, Phek town, Pfütsero town and others places besides from the village. Earlier, the special guest was received by the men folk with traditional attires. On second day, competition on various traditional practices will be held.