A farewell programme in honour of the outgoing Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Dr. J. Alam, IAS, was hosted by Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio and his lady wife at the State Banquet Hall, Kohima, on July 31.
Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio, thanked the outgoing Chief Secretary, Dr. J Alam, IAS, for his exemplary leadership and outstanding calibre in serving the people of Nagaland with commitment and distinction, despite the State and its people still reeling through difficult times due to ongoing social crises and challenges. He described him as a man of cool nature, calm and full of wisdom, who carried himself very well and excelled in every situation with amenable solutions.
“The State had gone through social unrest, starting from headhunting to war, followed by the Naga Political Issue, insurgency, AFSPA, etc., which manifested the complexity of Nagaland and its people. Therefore, it is not easy for any bureaucratic officer to make decisions or give justice in such situational challenges. However, the outgoing Chief Secretary, with his wisdom and leadership quality, could manoeuvre such situations and defied all odds and obstacles in handling the issues exceptionally during his stint as the Chief Secretary of Nagaland,” Rio said.
Dr Rio further mentioned a few instances where the outgoing Chief Secretary played a vital role and successfully converted them into a reality under his leadership, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the establishment of the State’s first Medical College, the State Solar Mission, etc. He also thanked his lady wife for her continued support and motivation to her husband for an illustrious career and the services rendered to the Naga people.
Dr J Alam, in his address, thanked the Chief Minister for marking his retirement from the service with such honour and for entrusting him with key responsibilities, especially during the last five and a half years as the Chief Secretary of the State.
Alam, while looking back on his career, recollected his time as the District Commissioner of Tuensang during the late 1990s, when there were increased tensions in the district due to the insurgency prevalent at the time, and there was grave danger to his life while carrying out his duties. He believed his time there truly shaped him, and every other grave experience that he faced after it was lighter in comparison to it, which instilled in him a sense of calmness and resilience in his work.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Further, as advice to the bureaucrats, he emphasised the importance of political leaders having complete trust in them to work at their full capacity, and working alongside one another.
Alam said he felt much honoured having received so much love and affection from the people of Nagaland, and truly feels he is one of their own. Serving the state of Nagaland, he said, has been one of the most enriching chapters of his life, and one which has taught him the true meaning of leadership, teamwork and commitment to public service.
He thanked the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers, Council of Ministers, Advisors, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and his colleagues in the civil and police services for their cooperation and constant camaraderie, which made it a true privilege for him to have been of service to the State Government.
Alam remarked that he leaves Nagaland with the belief that her best years are ahead of her because citing the true resilience of the Nagas, their rich culture and growing institutional capacity, and the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio. Lastly, he said that his journey in Nagaland will continue to grow, not in designation but in spirit.
The programme ended with a song “Nagaland as You’ll Remember” by TaFMA.
