There are schools in eastern Nagaland where bell doesn’t ring, says youngest MLA

Tuensang — The youngest member of legislative assembly (MLA) to be elected in the recently held Nagaland general election, Imtichoba Chang of the Republic Party of India (Athalwale), feels that youths are pillars of the state with power to change the world but many are deprived of quality education.

Chang, who was born on June 15, 1988 to late Thungpang Chollen and Sentisangla Chang, became an MLA at the age of 34 after winning 2023 Nagaland Assembly election from Tuensang Sardar II constituency.

Prior to taking the plunge into politics, the graduate from Sao Chang College, Tuensang, had worked in organisations including Chang Wetoshi Setshang (2014-2017), the erstwhile Confederation of Chang Students’ Union (CCSU); Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (2018-2021) and is currently an advisor of Tuensang Village Students’ Union.

In a conversation with Eastern Mirror after the successfully entry in politics, he said life was a struggle.

“I come from a humble background. My dad passed away when I was eight months old and was raised by a single mother. Growing up, we were hard up and had to struggle a lot,” he recollected.

On contesting the recent election, he said the desire to look into the plight of people in remote areas inspired him to make the move.

“Being from a remote region in Nagaland, I observed that there are schools in eastern Nagaland where the bell doesn’t ring. Therefore, I questioned myself ‘how can we expect the pillar of our nation to get quality education?” said Chang, a permanent resident of Tuensang village.

“Our youths are the pillars of our state. We have, inside of us, the power to change the world. If we don’t vote, we are giving away our future. Our vote is precious even for the next generation, and is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society. Therefore, we must always use our vote wisely,” he added.

Expressing hope of contributing positively to the society, he said the “motivation and zeal to give back to society is what kept me going”.

Aspirations

As the youngest member of the state legislative assembly, Chang said he has just stepped into his new role which can be compared to a “nursery” (in school). He expressed hope that his elders and experienced leaders will be good advisors and companions for him, while also expressing faith in the state chief minister and the NDA-alliance government to recognise the pressing needs of his area and do justice to Tuensang Sardar II.

‘I make no promises of giving employment as people expect from a leader. We have opportunities such as Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) and Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) through which one can crack examinations and gets jobs fairly. The need of the hour is to focus on agricultural and medical development in our area,’ he stated.

Owing his success to his “wife and mother, and the support of his beloved people”, he said everything will be undertaken from the grassroots to bring about positive changes in the society.

Chang also shared a verse from the Bible that he said motivates him to do better and achieve something in life: “You do not receive because you do not ask God” (James 4:2).