Nagaland Directorate Ministerial Service Association (NDMSA) celebrated its 50th Anniversary at the Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima under the theme “Serve and Progress” on November 18 with Lok Sabha MP, S Supongmeren Jamir as the Special Guest.
In his address, Jamir said that celebrating 50 years of NDMSA has brought him fond memories of his association with the Directorate staff way back from 1989 when he first started building his career to be a responsible leader. He also shared the assistance he received from the HoDs and the employees of the Directorate when he faced problems while carrying out developmental works, and acknowledged that these helps and kind gestures have help him to build his career effectively.
He stated that with the support from the people, today he is a Member of Parliament to carry out the responsibilities of the people for the people.
Emphasizing his association with the NDMSA for 40 years, he said he has witness the achievements of NDMSA, their contribution and sincere services for the people during the last 50 years. Therefore, acknowledging their services, Jamir urged them to serve the people with humanity and never to go against or succumb to the lay down rules which is the foundation of good governance, and reminded them that good governance starts from their table.
He pointed out that the Directorate employees are the backbones of the state government, who are responsible in making the policies of the stakeholder, the rules of the departments, gives the feeding of the office procedure to the secretary and administrator.
Lauding the Directorate staff that they can bring changes in the state, Jamir said our table is sanctity of change for the state and its people, and by the virtue of our service, reward and promotion follows. He therefore called upon the NDMSA to serve the people with commitment, determinations, and with new dimensions to carry our state forward.
Supongmeren also released the NDMSA Jubilee Souvenir and virtually unveiled the Golden Jubilee Monolith of the Association during the celebration.
President, NDMSA, T Bendangsenla in her Presidential Address said the occasion of the Jubilee celebration is to remember and honour the visionary founders and pioneers, who work tirelessly to establish this association with the objective to raise a unify voices, address common interests, work for the welfare of the members across departments, to provide a platform to express grievances and requirements with the state government, and also to motivate each other in the workplace while performing their assigned duties.
She highlighted that NDMSA is one of the oldest and the first state registered association to be officially recognized by the Government of Nagaland, notified on July 30, 1975 when there were only 32 Directorates. Today it consists of 57 directorates with an approximate sanctioned strength of 1500 with it’s headquarter at Kohima and a unit at Dimapur, she said.
She also shared some significant challenges the association has face such as- ‘no-work, no-pay’ policy which the state government has imposed in 1994 and the implementation of the Nagaland mass retirement act 2007 leading many premature retirements. She also highlighted the demands of the association that was granted by the State Government like upgradation of the post of Office Superintendent post, creation of post of Registrar in all Directorates, Amendment of the NPMSA Service Rules 2006, implementation of High Power Committee and Cadre Review Committee Recommendation, adoption of NDMSA Constitution 2016, Creation of post of Administrative Officer and Reduction of Line of Service for Promotion and also announced a plot of land being allotted for construction of NDMSA building.
She also urged its members to continue improving their work culture by serving with dedication, integrity and sincerity, live up to the reputation as the backbone of the departments with the motto ‘Serve and Progress’, and to continue serving the government with unwavering loyalty and become the cynosure of every eye.
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Medoselhou Keretsu, a founding member of NDMSA while recalling the reminiscence past in the last 50 years, congratulated all the members the association and the leaders for having achieved this significant milestone. He recalled that the NDMSA started with a vision of some insightful pioneers and leaders who understood the need of an association to work for the welfare of the common employees as there was no formal coordination amongst the 32 Directorates back then.
He also narrated that many senior officers and staff from the major Directorates had unofficial visitations to other offices during their spare times that led to the need to join hands. He also recalled that they worked relentlessly, consulted many experts, not just within the state, but some from the neighbouring states too to write their service rules of their Association and the association was registered as Nagaland Directorate Ministerial Staff Association back then, but later renamed it as Nagaland Directorate Ministerial Services Association.
Narrating his journey in the Association, from a member to the then President of NDMSA, he said in spite of the many challenges and personal limitations, he has gained a lot of learning experiences from his colleagues, build wonderful friendships and was grateful for the opportunity to serve the association in various capacities for the needs and welfare of the common employees.
He also shared an event when the government was so adamant and turning a deaf ear to employee’s genuine demand, but he admitted that today they remember those days, not with bitterness, but with pride and a grateful heart that they gave their best to the association.
He conveyed his appreciation to the present team of executives and all its members for their commendable services to the society, and as they commemorate 50 years of existence of the Association, he asked them be the torch barriers for the future.
During the programme, Convenor, Planning Committee NDMSA, Botovi Sema proposed the welcome address, while the vote of thanks was pronounced by Co-Convenor, Planning Committee NDMSA, M Renthungo Tungoe. Pastor of Immanual Baptist Church, Kohima, Zakiebeituo Metha and Associate Pastor, Women, SBLK, Temsuinla Jingru pronounced the invocation and benediction respectively, while Achumo Khuvung and Thozono Zashu compared the programme.
To mark the occasion, special songs were also presented by Chakhesang Baptist Church Ministers’ Hill Kohima, Keziah Semy and Aosunep Jamir. A One-Minute silence was also observed in remembrance of the founding members of NDMSA.
