Correspondent
KOHIMA, JANUARY 26
IN commemoration of the Republic Day celebrations, the Governor’s Award for distinction in the fields of Art, Music and Literature 2013 were given away at ‘Governor’s At Home’ at Darbar Hall, Raj Bhavan today.
Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar presented the awards to five personalities Merimvü Doulo (Art), Kivini Shohe (Art), Jesmina Zeliang (Art), James Shekeye Swu (Music) and Tiameren Monalisa Changkija (Literature) in presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and other dignitaries. The recipients received a cash award of Rs one lakh each along with a silver plaque and a citation signed by the Governor.
The Governor and his wife Chanda AK hosted ‘Governor’s at Home’.The Governor’s Award was instituted by the State government in 2003 for eminent practitioners, teachers or promoters of art, music and literature in the State. And starting from this year, the cash component of the award has been enhanced from Rs 25,000 to Rs 100,000.
This year being the 11th Governor’s Award, it brought the total number of recipients to 56 since the inception of the awards.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Governor congratulated the awardees for their achievements, and at the same time lauded the State government for coming up with the idea of conferring the awards annually, which he said is to spot talents and recognize them.
Throwing open the gates of Raj Bhavan to the public, the Governor also invited all sections of the Naga society to come and utilize the Raj Bhavan to its maximum.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the idea to confer the Governor’s Award is a vision of the State government to motivate the Naga people and further to encourage them to contribute to do better for the well being of the Naga society.
“The Governor’s Award is being conferred to recognize people for distinction in the fields of art, music and literature. And in a way, this (awards) also indicates how our Naga society is growing,” Rio said.
Stating that any kind of awards also ‘carries a responsibility’, the CM urged the awardees to carry back home that responsibility along with the awards. He added that the Nagas still have much to do and much to learn though expressing happiness that we (Nagas) have forged ahead within a very short period since the days of our forefathers.
Chandak AK, wife of the Governor, Kaisa Rio, wife of the Chief Minister, Minister for Youth Resources and Sports Merentoshi Jamir, NLA Deputy Speaker Er. Levi Rengma, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs and others also attended the award giving ceremony.
