The 9th edition of Walu Aten (Assembly of Leaders) which commenced on 26 December under the theme ‘Renkettsüngshiro’ culminated today with Asangla Imti, Secretary of the Government of Nagaland, Health & Family Welfare as the Special Guest and Sashi Wapang Lanu IRS, Additional Commissioner, Central GST Dimapur as the Topic Presenter.

Asangla Imti, appreciated the Culture Club, Khensa who represented the Ao tribe for their grand participation at the recent Hornbill Festival.

She said “I am here today because of my village, Khensa”. Speaking on the theme ‘Rekettsüngshiro’ she said Walu Aten means ‘Assembly of leaders’ and questioned the students whether they are fit to be called as ‘Walu Aten’.

She said there are three categories related to the theme as society, community and village which can be further classified into many but she emphasized on the ‘Individual’ strength and renewal which she said is the most important being to bring about the overall changes.

Asangla Imti, Secretary of the Government of Nagaland, Health & Family Welfare.

In order to strengthen oneself she emphasised on ‘count your blessings’ and ‘claim your Ebenezer’ from the Bible. “Thus far, God has helped us” taking the example of the Israel win over Palestine, she said, “the day we humble ourselves, is the day we start living life” and “the day we say, I know everything is the day we die living”. She said Ebenezer is a Hebrew word in which “Ebe” means stone and “nezer” means help, “Stone of help” and called upon the gathering to take example of one’s life with it.

She also emphasised on ‘seize the moment’ and mentioned seven ways to strengthen oneself to achieve it is to: Examine one’s potentiality, one’s capacity, clear vision and set goals, fix one’s priorities, not to contemplate on the past and be ready to move on, set one’s boundaries from unhealthy pleasures in life and have positive mind set to the life cycle. To this she stated, “that is the turning point of one’s life for renewal”.

Asangla Imti also released the books Poem and Folk Songs, and Khensa Mongsen Kaket (Khensa Mongsen (Language) book) at the event.

Sashi Wapang Lanu IRS, Additional Commissioner, Central GST, Dimapur gave topic presentation on Financial Literacy. He stressed the state having the Lowest employment rate of 25% with 9500-10,000 Nagas graduating every year.

Sashi Wapang Lanu IRS, Additional Commissioner, Central GST, Dimapur.

He emphasised on learning to respond to failures and learning to step out of one’s comfort zone. He encouraged those present to work on one’s communication and networking skills and also to utilize the available resources instead of waiting for the perfect time.

He stated the importance of awareness about one’s own culture and traditions and noted the importance of interacting with people from diverse culture.

Imtisangla, President, Khensa Women Organisation in her brief exhortation asserted to preserve one’s cultural identity and embrace it and obtain observational learning. She reminded the gathering to, “keep the faith of our forefathers”.

She also stressed on the importance of preserving one’s mother language and appealed for practice. Imtisangla called upon the gathering to correct one’s mistakes and give guidance and reiterated to preserve one’s own linguistic accent.

She encouraged the students to showcase their skills and talents and achieve greater heights by setting goals. “Our village need cooperation and unity,” she asserted.

Imtitoshi Jamir, Chairman, Khensa Village Council, in his exhortation stated that Khensa Mongsen dialect which has its origin from Tsüngli Mongsen will have a mixture of both the Mongsen and Chungli dialect.

He went on to say that the ‘Atepdang’ meaning ‘fireplace’ available in every household differs from the forefathers’ time and now. He said that it was an important place for everyone. He explained the meaning of ‘A-tep-dang’ as A – Everyone equal, Tep-Exchange (Two persons taking place) and Dang – Place.

“The place where all things take place”, he said is our very first cultural heritage where moral education by the parents to the children are learned. He stated some importance of cultural addresses to one another.

He admonished the students present to embrace their motherland where one has started their journey being born the identity of oneself and wherever one is present asserted to never forget their fireplace.

Temsuakum Longchar, President, Khensa Students’ Union.

Temsuakum Longchar, Khensa Students’ Union in his brief welcome address reminded the students how the forefathers have instituted the Khensa Students Union and when in 1998 started the Walu Aten with the theme ‘Tarutsü Mera’ meaning ‘Bright Future’.

He called upon the gathering to set one’s goal and go hand in hand together for a brighter future.

Senti Walling, Co-Founder of Online Express also spoke on sustainability through entrepreneurship. He challenged the students to have vision (Nükla), trust in oneself, to have perseverance, ability to read the situation, accepting competition and the importance of time.

He said that entrepreneurship is like a process of revolution. It suffices and provides the people around which he said is the only difference between entrepreneurship and business.

He encouraged the young people to think of the skills and talents and work on the worthy job which one is capable of. “Only when you work, you will know your capabilities,” he asserted.

Resource person Tiawapang Walling, Dr Imlirenla Walling, Dr Sashiyangba kichu also spoke to the students.

Kohima delegates.

The last night of the event was enthralled with the presence of Dreamz Unlimited and various artists.

The programme also witnessed the Most Promising Entrepreneurs Award Walu Aten 2022 being awarded to Limanukshi Longchar, Proprietor of Longchar Driving School, Yimyu Ward Mokokchung.

The occasion also witnessed a Quiz Competition among the seven units where the Yimyu Unit won the competition. Sports events were also held on the third day including Women penalty shoot out and men’s Futsal league where the Dimapur Unit (Women) and Yimyu Unit (nen) won the matches respectively.

Delegates learning traditional winnowing of rice grains (left) and loinloom craft (right).

Workshops were held on Indigenous songs, Loinloom craft, traditional winnowing practices, bamboo crafts etc from the village elders.

Under the theme ‘Renkettsüngshiro’ one skit or play was displayed by all the Units. Furthermore, unit presentation of various folk songs: Tsük-asenba, Alu Maja Ken, Master Ken, Kimak ken, Tongpang Ken, Rongpang Ken, Tsüki Ken were presented.

The event is held after every two years and is organised by Khensa Students’ Union, Khensa Village, Mokokchung.

Delegates of 499, Khensa students from different parts of Nagaland representing seven units came together under one umbrella as Khensa Students’ Union.

The number of delegate representation from all the units were: