Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 2
In recognition to her philanthropic contributions to the Naga society, former Chief Secretary Banuo Z Jamir was today conferred the Classic Award 2015, an annual honour instituted by the Classic Club Kohima since 1999 for Naga achievers in the field of sports, social service, education, health service and humanitarian works.
Clearing the Union Public Service Commission examinations in 1977, Banuo Z Jamir became the first Naga woman to be inducted in the Indian Administrative Services (IAS). She began her career as an administrator in the capacity of Under Secretary then moved on to more taxing and greater posts through 1985- 2014. She was also the first woman to be posted as Commissioner of the state, the first woman Commandant General of the Village Guards, and had retired from active government service in 2014 after having served as the first woman to hold the top echelon of the state bureaucracy as the Chief Secretary from February-September 2014.
The award was presented by the Governor of Nagaland & Assam, PB Acharya at a function held at De Oriental Grand, Kohima Friday evening. While congratulating the Jamir on her achievements for which she is being honoured, the Governor also lauded the Classic Club for their noble work in identifying, motivating and sponsoring events to strengthen the Naga society as well as the state of Nagaland.
He said many Indians are achievers and are recognised at international levels, but the country remains suffering in many aspects. Towards this, he maintained that if each person feels an obligation to the society that he/she grew up and learned a trove of knowledge from, and gives back to the society, only then the country/state will progress.
In her acceptance speech, Jamir humbly said that she did not deserve or merit the many things that were spoken of her, nevertheless, she graciously expressed her gratitude to the Classic Club for conferring the honour to her.
She said that she accepted the honour of the award as a privileged opportunity for her to acknowledge the contributions and events that had enable her to reach where she is today. “I am doubly privileged to have received the award from the hands of the honourable Governor,” she added. She spoke of her high regard of the Classic Club for its many philanthropic activities and rendering commendable service to the community in various ways.
“The club was established at a time when Nagaland was going through a period, considered by my generation, as the most difficult and painful. Everyday there were incidents of factional clashes and killings, there was dread and terror in almost every home, and at such a time, the founding members of the club sparked hope into the areas wherever they were involved. The club has over the years become a symbol of the Naga spirit of resilience.” Jamir said.
She also acknowledged the club for exhibiting consistency in the professional, efficient, organized and committed manner of conducting their programs, and also for maintaining gender equity in their membership.
“It is indeed a very huge honour and a privilege for me to receive this honour,” she said and congratulated the club for successfully completing 21 years of good service to the community and hoped that it would continue to do so in the days to come.
She also expressed her appreciation and gratitude to all those who mattered in bringing her to where she is today starting with God’s grace, her parents, her husband Alemtemshi Jamir who is also a former Chief Secretary and their two sons, her two grandmother, relatives, the unbiased decision of the government through the 37 years of her service etc.
“If I was able to achieve anything in my life, it has been because of many factors outside myself, and if I have through my life been able to inspire anyone to greater heights, I thank God for this honour,” Jamir said.
Stating that public recognition such as this award comes with a great responsibility, she sought prayers that the trust reposed in this award will not be contradicted and she assured that she will try to live up to the many accolades attributed to her in the citation.
The Classic Award carries a citation and a cash of Rs.25,000. The earlier recipients include the likes of late Dr. T Ao (posthumous), Neichülieü Nikki Haralu, Kughaho Chishi, Chekrovolü Swüro, Rev. Dr. Fr. Godfrey Vilasal Thapo, Methaneilie Jütakhrie, Shürhozelie Liezietsu, Geoffrey Yaden and Major Neikhrietuonuo Linyü.
