The Village/Ward Adoption Committee programme under the aegis of Kohima District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) is an innovative programme, said Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio while addressing the DPDB members during the Kohima DPDB Day Out cum Advent Christmas held at Youth Recreational Hall, Pfuchama, Kohima on 29 November.

Kohima Legislators, Advisor, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Dr Neikiesalie Nicky Kire; Advisor Youth Resource & Sports, Zale Neikha; Advisor Technical Education and Election, Medo Yhokha; MLA & Chairman, DPDB Kohima, Keneizhakho Nakhro and MLA Khriehu Liezietsu also attended the programme.

Rio lauded the Kohima DPDB for coming up with such an innovative programme of village/ward adoption programmes for the welfare of the villages and farmers.

“In the context of Nagaland, if the villages are not developed, then Nagaland can never be developed and our target was to double the income of farmers and make village life more comfortable,” added Rio.

Appreciating the district officers for taking active part in the board and carrying out the government’s policies and programmes, the chief minister encouraged them to share the important responsibilities amongst the members and to help out the public towards the development of the district.

He also challenged the district officers to take keen interest in bringing innovations, adopt good policies and set an example to other districts.

Rio felt that the day was one of the most important DPDB meetings as Christmas, he said, has brought the members together in the year’s ending.

He said Christmas is a time when most of the people go back to their respective villages and socialize with villagers, meet families and friends and get involved in Christmas activities. Therefore, one should keep the village clean, healthy and be engaged with activities during this festive season, he added.

Stating that unity is the need of the hour for the state to survive as a community, Rio said after a thorough study in 2006, the Government logo was changed from Ashok Chakra to Mithun as ‘the unity Government of Nagaland’ since the Government of India is recognising the uniqueness of Nagas.

Keeping in line with this, Rio said the Hornbill festival is a celebration of State Day where all the cultural troupes of the Naga tribes come together to participate in the celebration.

He said it is a festival of cultural extravaganza to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage and over the years the festival has become a unique platform for tourists from around the world to witness the cultural diversity not only of the Nagas but also the other states of Northeast India.

Rio also spoke on the issue of unemployment, where he pointed out that one must work more to learn more, citing that the business community and shops are being taken up by non-Nagas coming from outside the state. He also pointed out that Nagas should come out from individualism or tribalism and come up to the level of “Nagalism” and work collectively for Naga people so that everybody would succeed.

Rio also emphasised on Permanent Residence of Indigenous People (RIN), indigenous people in Nagaland, stating that the real responsibility lies with the grassroots i.e. the Village Council and the nearest administrative officer who will be certifying the person for issue of Indigenous Certificate from Deputy Commissioner’s Office.

Rio said the ownership is with the village council to give the right certification of the person to avoid any penalties and the administrative officers should be aware of the amendment of the Village Council and Tribal Council Act and guide the district people.

On the DPDB agenda, setting up a verification committee for LADP Scheme 2022-23, the board decided to have one level of verification in the month of December. For change of medical administration from CMO Dimapur to CMO Kohima for the village of Thekrujuna and creation of sub-center, the board decided to forward it to the concerned department.

The welcome address was delivered by Chairman DPDB, MLA Keneizhakho Nakhro and the programme was chaired by Deputy Commissioner & Vice Chairman, DPDB Kohima, Shanavas C, IAS.

The invocation prayer was pronounced by DEO Kohima Emilo Patton, the vote of thanks by DPO & Member Secretary Vilhouhunuo Sachu, and benediction by Principal SCTE Dr Elizabeth Walling.

The other highlights of the programme included special numbers and Christmas Gift Exchange.