The second day of the 75th anniversary celebration of Peren Township was graced by the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio as the chief guest on Wednesday in Peren Town.
Former chief minster T R Zeliang was the chief host while Member of Assembly Namri Nchang was the guest of honour at the programme.
Speaking at the occasion, the CM congratulated Peren Town for reaching the significant milestone and urged for unity and oneness.
Quoting the proverb “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is today”, he exhorted the people of the district to retrospect the past and also chart out new visions and horizons for the future.
Rio said forgiveness and reconciliation were prerequisites for a peaceful resolution of the long-protracted Naga political issue. He added that real peace cannot be attained in Nagaland unless people forgive each other and rise above narrow tribalism.
Neiphiu Rio, chief guest of the jubilee celebrations. (Credit: Heutinggumbe Ndang)
The CM also said even if the Government of India and the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) sign a final peace accord or settlement, there will not be real peace if Nagas cannot unite and act as one people.
Rio stated Peren district has good prospects to become a prosperous and self-reliant district because of its proximity to the state capital Kohima and the commercial capital Dimapur. He added that the road connectivity to Peren will improve shortly with the new National Highway 129-A.
The highway will pass through Peren which will provide alternative connectivity between Nagaland and Manipur. He also said that with the completion of the Kohima-Lekie Road, the district will be a good corridor to Assam also.
The CM further said Peren has good lands for cultivation and great prospects of becoming self-sufficient and of exporting its products. He also pointed out the potentials of the district for ecotourism and cultural tourism owing to its scenic beauty, good climate and above all, industrious and hard-working working.
Happy to participate
in the celebration of the 75th Anniv. of Peren Town. Celebration of a jubilee is always a joyous & thanksgiving occasion. It is also a time for introspection of our past & for charting out new visions & horizons for the future. Congratulations & best wishes. pic.twitter.com/wgrAAPljco— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) November 16, 2022
Former Chief Minister, UDA Chairman and chief host, T R Zeliang, said Peren Town was established on 1 April 1947 and called the gathering to remember and give their gratitude to the pioneers of the town who had the vision to establish a town for the welfare of the Zeliang community. He also remembered the landowners.
Highlighting the story of how the town began, Zeliang said when an administrative centre for the people of the area was necessitated during C R Pawsey’s tenure as the last Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills, the following places were proposed viz Peren, Poilwa, Benreu, Tesen and Tening. After days of consultation, in the presence of all 25 ancestral village representatives, a consensus was arrived upon to establish a town at the present location, he added.
The former CM said the Mithun and the human figurines seen at the event were recreations of the event that took place on 1 April 1947 when the inauguration and declaration function was held by the sacred act of slaughtering a Mithun and partaking its meat by all the representatives of the 25 villages.
He said only five human figurines are standing today but they aim to put up a total of 25 human figurines, to signify the 25 ancestral villages, which will be unique and one of a kind in Nagaland.
T R Zeliang, chief host of the jubilee celebrations. (Credit: Heutinggumbe Ndang)
The chief host of the Jubilee said though the town is small, it is home to 10,000 people, many of whom are other tribes. Peren can be described as one of the most peaceful towns in the state, he added.
T R Zeliang highlighted the town’s historical importance, stating that during the British era, the British Path comprised 10 IB Rest Houses from Kohima to Lekie in Assam and this path passed through this town. To keep this British track/path alive, the Kohima-Peren-Lekie road was constructed under NEC during the 1980s. He said that the path from the Peren to Tening portion needs to be developed.
Zeliang then praised the hills in which provides amazing views and the pleasant climate of Peren town.
He lauded the Jubilee Committee headed by the ADC for coming up with the concept of making Peren Town an Orchid Town and congratulated the women folk of the town for bringing so many orchids to beautify the town on this jubilant occasion.
The veteran politician urged all to continue to dedicatedly work towards making the town an exemplary one. Let the town receive manifold blessings and grow from strength to strength each day, he added.
Earlier, the Dedication of ‘Kemdeu Bamh’ or the jubilee monolith was also held wherein former State Chaplain Rev Kuzierang Thou pronounced a dedicatory prayer.
Deputy Commissioner Peren and Convenor of the 75th Anniversary Organizing Committee, Vineet Kumar, IAS, delivered the welcome address while a keynote address was also delivered by ADC & Administrator, Peren Town Council, Keyirangding Hegui, NCS.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by a host of ministers and MLAs.
Other highlights of the program include the inauguration of ‘Naga King Chilli Fest’ by chief guest and CM Neiphiu Rio which was followed by the 75th anniversary feast.
In the evening session, an entertainment programme was held with a fashion parade that showcased the traditional attires of various Naga tribes and Indian wear. The fashion parade was followed by a special presentation by Dreamz Unlimited.
The evening programme was attended by many residents, young and old, of the town.
The comperes of the evening session were Namgwangheile and Ngautube Chamlak. The programme ended with a posterity prayer by Heikwetgong Putlang, pastor of New Tesen Baptist Church.
