The Jemtimenba Mollier Foundation (JMF) Meritorious Award for Excellence in Ao Literature was held on October 24 at Ao Senden Conference Hall, Mokokchung where nineteen scholars were honoured with cash prizes and certificates on the occasion.
Thirteen students who scored the highest marks in Ao language from 2020-2023 in Nagaland Board of School Education’s examination namely, Toshisangla of Clark Memorial Hr. Sec School, Impur (Class X) in 2020, Sungjemnenla from Mayangnokcha Govt. Hr. Sec. School (Class XII) in 2020, Atula W. Mongro of Nagaland Christian Residential School, Mokokchung (Class X) in 2021, Imsuwaden from Clark Memorial Hr. Sec School, Impur (Class XII) in 2023. Moakala Longchari from Children School, Mokokchung (Class X) in 2022, Aosenla from Mount Moriah School Ungma (Class X) in 2022, Temsuyanger from Clark Memorial Hr. Sec School, Impur, Lanukokla from Town Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung and Moatila from Clark Memorial Hr. Sec School, Impur (Class X) in 2022, Alempongla Longchar from Queen Mary Hr. Sec School, Mokokchung (Class XII) in 2022 and Zuluienla T Jamir from Queen Mary Hr. Sec School, Mokokchung and Lensen Ozüküm from Clark Memorial Hr. Sec School, Impur (Class X) in 2023, Nungtetmenla Jamir from Queen Mary Hr. Sec School, Mokokchung (Class XII) in 2023, were awarded with cash prize and certificates.
The Foundation also awarded the first position holders in the Ao Arangtet Tatidang (Ao Literature examination conducted by the Ao Riju under the aegis of Ao Senden) namely; Kajenmenla Jamir, Arangtet Diploma Tenren (ADT) (2021), Putusen, Arangtet Certificate Tenren (ACT), 2021, Rongsenlemla Pongen, Arangtet Diploma Tenren (ADT) 2022, Alisenla, Arangtet Diploma Tenren (ADT), 2023, Tzuwazenla Jmr, Post Graduate Diploma Tenren (PGDT), 2022 and Akumyanger, Post Graduate Diploma Tenren (PGDT), 2023 during the programme. In this regard, the JMF awarded cash prizes and certificates to them for excelling in the exams.
Guest of Honour, Sentinenla, District Education Officer, Mokokchung expressed appreciation to the JMF foundation, stating, “I extend my thanks to the foundation for their dedication to promoting Ao Literature, underlining the idea that preserving one’s identity hinges on the preservation of their mother tongue.”
With the growing trend of speaking foreign languages among Ao residents, Sentinenla expressed concerned about the impact of increasing fluency in foreign languages on cultural preservation, fearing it might lead to a decline in our cultural heritage.
She urged everyone to recognize the Ao mother tongue as a valuable asset and emphasized the importance of safeguarding it as the highest priority.
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Temjen Tzudir, Secretary of JMF, emphasized on the foundation’s primary mission, explaining, ‘Established in 2014 as the Jemtimenba Mollier Foundation (formerly Jemtimenba Mollier Trust), our primary objective is the promotion of Ao literature.’ He also highlighted the diverse programs organized by JMF, including training sessions, seminars, essay and quiz competitions, Spelling Bee contests, symposiums, and more. Tzudir also announced, “Starting from the upcoming academic session, Clark Theological College will offer Ao literature as a subject with the support of Ao Senden.”
Earlier, Dr. Tali Imsong, Chairman of JMF, delivered the welcome address and highlighted that Ao’s uniqueness is rooted in its utilization of the Mother Tongues, Chungli and Mongsen. The program also featured a special performance by the students of Christian Residential Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung.
