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Dimapur, Feb. 3 (EMN): The 57th general session of the Confederation of Chang Students’ Union (CCSU) has begun in Tuensang. The event is themed “propelling educational values,” and will be conducted till February 5, updates in an email stated on Monday.
In the inaugural programme, more than 800 registered students from 53 federating units attended accompanied by their village council members and student leaders. The second session of the day was the group’s federal assembly, the note informed.
The ‘special guest’ for the programme was Mmhonlumo Kikon, advisor for Information Technology and New and Renewable Energy. Other senior government functionaries and community leaders also attended the event.
In his address to the gathering, Mmhonlumo Kikon acknowledged the efforts of the CCSU in Tuensang district. The updates stated that the legislator spoke about how his understanding and interest in Tuensang town started a few years ago when he was there to study the presence of migrants from Myanmar in Tuensang town.
“What impressed me most and what actually the Changs and the district has contributed but not yet acknowledged is your adaptation of the communitisation and your participation in insuring that, that Act is actually implemented in its right way,” he was stated to have remarked.
He spoke about the history of the Naga people as “irremovable from its identity and culture.” The legislator stated: “I always say that any people who have no knowledge or respect or understanding of their district will not understand their present. Not only that, will not be able to lead its own people to the future.”
Kikon reminded the CCSU congregation about the contribution of the Chang community in Naga history, talking about the then commander-in-chief Thungti Chang, who once led the Naga under the unified banner of the Naga National Council.
Mentioning that Nagaland is the only state in India to be created out of a political agreement, he said, “We are enjoying all the facilities today because of the sacrifices made by our elders. So, our present generation is different from theirs but because of their sacrifices we are where are. Today, our issues and problems are different but the conflict remains.”
“We want good governance; we want policies which will enable good governance. We want all the services that are there for the welfare of the people to be delivered to the intended beneficiary,” stated the advisor, referring to the Nagaland Communitisation Act that was passed in 2002.
Kikon also said that the state has to learn a lot from the Chang people regarding the implementation of the Act. The government decided that it will share power, also sharing governance. The Communitisation Act was passed but in its implementation, they realised that there were lots of flaws and that the problem is not with the government alone.
“When the government was actually using this policy to tap the social capital of the Naga society, we realised that in its implementation not everywhere but it was rampant in most villages it was being misused,” he added.
Talking about the different matters of the Act which the government decided to administer it with the people, he said that there were problems at the grass-root level. He appreciated the model of ‘Sochum’ saying that it is ensuring that all those problems of implementation are addressed, and ensure that communitisation is actually practised, and implemented in spirit and letter.
Kikon spoke also about success stories of a few entrepreneurs to encourage the students. He urged civil service aspirants to work hard, the updates stated.
The email also quoted a community leader, unnamed, but stated to be the ‘president, CKS,’ as having exhorted the students to “emulate the past glories of their ancestors who brought glory to the land through ‘dao’. However, he encouraged them to imbibe the same spirit with the use of ‘pen’ emphasising on the importance of education.”
On the second day of the event, there will be a volleyball competition among 53 federating units, while the evening session will have a programme called “achievers’ night” during which awards will be conferred on various individuals for achievements in different fields, the updates stated.