The Sümi Literature Board (SLB) celebrated its 75th Platinum Jubilee (1947–2022) today at Multi Complex Hall, Zunheboto under the chairmanship of Vihoshe Muru, Chairman SLB.
The jubilee was held under the theme ‘Our Mother Tongue, Our Identity’.
Special Guest G Kaito Ayemi, Minister Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of Nagaland unveiled the SLB Platinum Jubilee Souvenir. Four textbooks for undergraduates were also released on the historic jubilee occasion.
Ayemi encouraged the Sümis to make Sütsa (Sümi language) as the top most priority since it is their identity. To preserve our culture, importance should be given to Sütsa; without language culture cannot be preserved, he stated.
The minister also said that sooner or later, Nagas should have a common language which is why Nagas should give importance to language and literature.
H Khekuto Khulu, IAS Retd, chairman of the Jubilee Planning Board, delivered the welcome address in the programme. He stated that in order to mark the historic occasion, the SLB Jubilee Committee has resolved to open a library at Sümi Headquarter Zünheboto and that ex minister Ihezhe Zhimomi has willingly consented to donate books for the library.
H Khekuto Khulu, IAS Retd, chairman of the Jubilee Planning Board.
Khulu expressed his concern for preserving the Sütsa language which, he said, has now become an endangered language. He appealed to the Sümis to give importance to Sütsa language and promote the only Sümi newspaper Sümi Küküpütsa.
The speaker of the Jubilee programme was Khehoni Zhimomi, Retd Addl Director School Education, Government of Nagaland.
She spoke on the theme ‘Our Mother Tongue, Our Identity’ and asserted that preserving one’s mother tongue in the present context is very important in this fast-changing world. She said mother tongue is an integral part of one’s life, dreams and vision.
Khehoni Zhimomi, Retd Addl Director School Education.
Our forefathers have left a legacy to us, so we should also play our role to protect our language since language is our life, Zhimomi stated.
During the programme, HSLC and HSSLC MIL-Sütsà subject toppers from 1997 till 2022 under Nagaland Board of School Education were felicitated. Kitoli Naje, co-convenor of the Souvenir Committee gave away the certificates to the subject toppers and SLB pioneers.
The Sümi Dictionary was released by Dr Hokishe Yeputhomi, ex-chairman of the Sümi Literature Board.
Sümi Hoho President Nikheto Jimo exhorted the congregation.
Sümi Hoho President Nikheto Jimo.
Rev Hukügha Jimo, ES SBAK NM, pronounced the invocation and Aichisaghemi Gospel Voice presented a special number. The introductory note was delivered by Dr H Hotokhu Chishi, Vice Chairman SLB.
Nihoshe Jimo Administrator Sütsa Academy Zünheboto recited a Sütsa poem. Rev Mülato Chishi, ES, SBAK Aizüto, pronounced the Jubilee blessing prayer.
Er Küghaho Sema, Finance Convenor, presented the Jubilee finance report, Shivükhü Shikhu, Banker, SLB delivered the vote of thanks and Rev Kihoshe Asümi Pastor, NCRC Zünheboto pronounced the benediction.
The Platinum Jubilee programme was chaired by Vihoshe Muru, Chairman SLB and recorded by Zhekügha Assumi, Secretary SLB.
Earlier, Minister G Kaito Ayemi also unveiled the Jubilee Monolith while Rev Dr Khehovi Shohe, Director SBC, pronounced the blessings for the Monolith.
