National Foundation for India on Tuesday organised ‘Promoting Culture Exchange – Journey to the Roots of Culture’ at Conference Hall, Hotel 2K, Ladies Mile, Kohima. The objective of the program was ‘to preserve, promote and perpetuate the rich inherited Naga culture and traditions.’
Special Guest R. Ramakrishnan, IAS, Development Commissioner, Planning and Transformation, in his address, hailed the event as a celebration of the rich cultural diversity and heritage and the potential it holds in shaping a brighter, inclusive and more sustainable future which ultimately contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He mentioned that the key goals aligned through promoting cultural activities are – it can foster wisdom and knowledge-sharing enabling a broader perspective and profound understanding of different cultures, languages, and traditions, fostering tolerance, appreciation of diversity and intercultural competence addressing SDG 4: Quality Education; it can empower communities by preserving and promoting traditional crafts and sustainable use of natural resources, creating economic opportunities for local artisans and communities which can generate a stable source of income and promote sustainable economic growth while preserving cultural heritage addressing SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; it can increase cultural understanding, dialogue, and cooperation and strengthen the communities and traditional systems addressing SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
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Ramakrishnan further said that by embracing the journey to learn from each other’s culture, we are forging a path towards a better more sustainable, peaceful, harmonious and inclusive future for all addressing the SDGs. While the SDGs are global, their achievement will depend on the fact how much we are able to translate them into reality in our communities and societies, the Development Commissioner said.
“I am happy to share that the state of Nagaland has been actively working towards achieving the SDGs through the SDG Coordination Centre (SDGCC) of the Planning & Transformation Department since 2019” he added. Ramakrishnan further said that with the support from NITI Aayog and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as implementing line departments, district administration and communities within the state, Nagaland has taken various initiatives to localize the SDGs across the state focusing on capacity building and aligning the SDs to the priorities of the State.
Give importance to mother tongue
Special Invitee Vilanuo Angela Yhome, President of Naga Mothers Association (NMA) encouraged the gathering to give importance to language which is the identity and said, “unless you know how to speak your tribe language or your village language you do not prove yourself of that village or tribe even if you dress well with attires.”
Stressing on the importance of knowing the reason and purpose of the attires, she said, “wearing the traditional attire, necklace and singing folk song is not knowing your culture and traditions but one must know the meaning and its purpose.” “Even in your best attire I doubt how many of you really know the meaning of it besides knowing it belongs to your tribe,” she added.
Recalling the good practice of listening and respecting elders Yhome said, the culture is drifting away with the importance given more to modernisation and technology. She also lamented the parent-children relationships of the present day where parents are too ignorant whilst the children think they know more than their parents. She emphasised on the need of bringing the good culture back and said that such education cannot be obtained from institutions like schools and colleges but that it begins from home. “Family is the small society and it begins from there,” Yhome said.
Earlier, Dr P Ngully, Chairperson Kohima Educational Society also spoke on bridging the gap generation gap. The welcome address was delivered by the moderator Sanchobeni, Field Coordinator, NFI and concluding remark was delivered by Ketho Angami.
