Staff reporter
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 13
IT is always a delight to be with the Nagas and Maati Ke Rang, the cultural extravaganza, has been appropriately brought by the government of India to Dimapur and to a state that is full of festivals, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said.
“As part of this Maati Ke Rang festival, I commit myself to the cause of the Naga people,” he stated. The Union minister was addressing the inaugural programme of the five-day cultural extravaganza, organized by the Ministry of Culture, at North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) complex in Dimapur on Tuesday evening as the chief guest.
He appealed to the intellectuals and youth to think about the known energy of the Naga people.
Observing that there are some historical problems in Nagaland, Rejiju said, “We are committed to deal with these issues securely.” However, he said without peace, the dreams of young people cannot be realized.
Touching on the Naga issue, Rejiju said the government is ‘committed to deal with it very closely’.
Rijiju was impressed by the way Maati Ke Rang has been conceived and designed by NEZCC, Dimapur and said it displays the mosaic of cultures.
He expressed his happiness that people from all over country could come to the North East and Nagaland and thanked them for gracing this festival.
Noting that more flowers make a garden beautiful, Rijiju said India has a heritage richer than any part of the world. “We should learn to celebrate it,” he stated.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang graced the occasion as the guest of honour while members of Parliament Neiphiu Rio and Khekiho Zhimomi were also in attendance.
One of the biggest festivals organized by Union Ministry of Culture, Maati Ke Rang is expected to trigger greater cultural respect and appreciation of one another. More than 600 artistes from all over India are taking part in the festival which will conclude on January 17.
Rijiju reminded that India is known for its unity in diversity and that people should learn to celebrate this diversity. The festival is a reflection of what India is and if India has anything to offer to the world, it is the rich cultural heritage, he said.
On the racial attacks on north easterners in Delhi and other metropolitan cities, Rijiju asserted that this will not be tolerated. “We are not going to tolerate any kind of discrimination on the basis of race, caste, creed or religion,” he said. He also informed that a resolution has been adopted that no people from North East feel isolated or are subjected to discrimination.
The Union Home Ministry is coming up with policies to look into the safety and security of the North East people besides introduction of North East subjects in the school syllabus, he added.
Rejiju also called upon the people of the region not to feel disadvantageous due to its location .
“We may be miles away from the national capital but we are equally important and we should never feel disconnected,” the Union minister said.
He also informed that under a new road map drawn up by the government, at least one Central minister will tour the North East every fortnight so as to bridge the gap between the region and Delhi.
Terming North East region as a blessed region, Rejiju said North East cannot lack behind because it is blessed with so many unimaginable things, beautiful people with rich cultural and traditional heritage. The Union minister said the region is blessed with rich mineral resources, forest resources and they need to be explored.
He, however, said the vibrancy of North East is yet to emerge. “I can see the confidence of the youth of this generation that our time has come but if NE region has to develop and if it has to reach where it deserves to be, the region has to secure peace,” he stressed. “If we do not believe in peace, we will never be able to realize our dreams,” he added.
