Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today urged the citizens of Nagaland to reflect on the collective journey and on the resilience of Naga society, as Nagaland commemorated its 61st Statehood Day.
The 61st Statehood Day was celebrated at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima.
“We honour our visionaries’ dedication and sacrifices that paved the way for our State’s formation with special constitutional guarantees,” said Rio.
The Chief Minister also reflected to the priorities of the State as well as its achievements where he stated, “While marching on the path of development and progress, we continue to give topmost priority to the peaceful resolution of the Naga Political Issue, which has been the innermost desire of our people for a very long time. I reiterate my Government’s strong commitment as a facilitator,” said Rio.
To address and redress the issue of backwardness in Eastern Nagaland and some other pockets, the State Government in 2003, created the DUDA Department. According to Rio, the Central and State Governments is trying their best to remove developmental deficits, where he assured the government’s commitment towards upliftment. Rio also highlighted the success of the Hornbill Festival which marks its 24th edition this year. “We can see that it has continuously grown in stature, reach and reputation to become an international event. Naga soft power is global and can be seen with the participation of USA, Germany and Colombia as foreign partners,” stated Rio.
A significant event this year was the inauguration Nagaland’s first Medical College- the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (NIMSR). The MBBS course with 100 students has commenced and plans of constructing an attached 400 bedded hospital are underway, informed Rio.
Another important initiative, Rio highlighted, in the education sector is the World Bank funded NECTAR project, which has enabled the Department of School Education to implement a comprehensive Education Management Information System (EMIS), pioneering the Teacher Attendance Monitoring System (TAMS).
Rio also mentioned the achievements in the road sector where around 2,500 km roads in the State through the State PWD & other Central agencies has been constructed and improved. In the power sector, construction of 220/132/33kV sub-station with associated transmission lines at Tsitrongse, Dimapur currently being taken up by the DONER Ministry. A significant development in the field of women and child empowerment is the launching of Women & Child Development (WCD) Control Room and the integration of the existing Women Helpline-181 & the Child Helpline-1098; unifying it with the Emergency Response Support System-112.
“Recognizing skill development is important in youth empowerment, we launched skill-building training progs. With guaranteed industrial connections. We are collaborating with IBM Skill Build Program, Unnati Skill Centre, UNXT programs & Entrepreneurship Development Centres to impact lives,” stated Rio.
The Chief Minister further emphasized, “Our economy needs to be broad-based & growing multi- dimensionally, so as to create more employment opportunities. We need to invest more in human resource development. Let us rededicate ourselves to the aim of making Nagaland a developed State in every respect.”
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The Parade Contingents for the 61st Statehood Day celebration were DEF Kohima, 1st NAP Bn., 4th NAP Bn., 5th NAP Bn., 9th NAP(IR) Bn., 12th NAP (IR) Bn, 15th NAP (IR) Mahila Bn., 15th NAP (IR) Mahila Pipe Band, Nagaland Police Auxiliary Brass Band, NPTS Brass Band. The parade commander was Vikato Thonger, NPS, Dy. Comdt. 4th NAP Bn, while the second-in-command was Khriesaviko Pienyu, NPS, Asstt. Comdt. 4th NAP Bn.
The 15th NAP (IR) Mahila Band, finalist of India’s Got Talent 2023 also made a special appearance.
During the event, Rio also launched the Nagaland School Safety Policy Digital Training Platform and Nagaland Disaster Risk Reduction Road Map.
Special performances for the Statehood Day were presented by Esther Dailiam ‘From a distance’, LamGrace ‘We love Nagaland’, NSS Music Club Choir ‘Then sings my soul’, Cultural Troupes- Burgeon Society Chedema (Angami), Tobu Area Sheko Khong Union Kohima (Konyak), Pfushon zi (Rengma) and Benreu Students Union Dance Club, Kohima (Zeliang)
The celebration concluded with the inauguration of Exhibition on ’60 years of Nagaland’ (IPR Department) by the Chief Minister.
