Prof Jagdish Mukhi, Governor of Nagaland, in his Statehood Day message urged the need to create a conducive environment for the children to thrive and not only survive.

Nagaland state is celebrating its 60th Statehood Day today. The state was formed on 1 December 1963.

In his address to the state on the auspicious occasion, the Governor emphasised on youth empowerment, stressing on an atmosphere that is free of fear and insecurities for the youth to flourish and to achieve development. He encouraged the youth to become entrepreneurs and become job creators and not remain job seekers, highlighting agriculture as a field with vast scope and promising potential.

Prof Mukhi said Nagaland can keep up with the fast-paced world only if meritocracy, transparency and accountability in governance have primacy over parochial outlook and self-interest.

Furthermore, he encouraged every citizen to become agents of change, work on the state, rise to the challenges and become equal partners to thrust the state forward into a “robust Nagaland”.

Prof Mukhi, who is also the Governor of Assam, remembered the pioneers “who nurtured the vision of an ideal Nagaland”, a Nagaland “flourishing in peace, harmony, progress and development”. He said their contributions during the transitional phase of the state’s evolution to its present position deserved a special mention.

While “we look back with pride”, the Governor said it was also an opportune moment to reflect on the “miscalculated steps and blunders” made on core issues and put in “more concerted efforts towards attaining a transformed and progressive state.”