Acharya leaves Nagaland enriched and humbled

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 25 (EMN): Nagaland on Thursday bid farewell to Governor PB Acharya—who will always be remembered for his down-to-earth personality—during a valedictory programme organised at the State Banquet Hall in Kohima.

In his speech, Acharya said he was “fortunate and privileged” to have been the governor of Nagaland. Despite his tenure coming to an end, Acharya said he was always at the service of the Naga people.

Recalling the day he was assigned the gubernatorial role in Nagaland—July 19, 2015—Acharya said that his immediate decision was to ‘open his heart and empower the people’.

Nagaland has the potential to become great, he said. ‘It can become economically stable and help the country with her rich resources available. One has to stand firm to fight for the integrity of the country and of the state,’ he added.

The governor also fondly recalled his visits to orphanages, and visitations from the less-privileged sections of the society. ‘Giving them such opportunities to come to Raj Bhavan is how we can empower them,’ he said.

Acharya exuded confidence that his successor RN Ravi will deliver the goods to the people. He will continue to take charge of the office till July 31. Ravi will be sworn in on August 1.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, in his address, said that it was an occasion to celebrate the tenure of a person who came as a friend of the Naga people, won their hearts, and will be leaving as a member of the Naga family.

Rio said that the Naga people were fortunate to have such an eminent personality as their governor. The people, he said, have been enriched through his guidance and leadership.

“The state experienced a few political crises during the past few years but the governor conducted himself in an impeccable manner and upheld the Constitution of India in exemplary fashion, for which he deserves to be complimented,” Rio said.

He thanked governor and his wife for opening the “gates and doors of Kohima’s Raj Bhavan to all sections of the people.” He said that the Raj Bhavan has been made accessible to the real stakeholders of Nagaland including the weaker and marginalised sections from the day they entered.

Rio also recounted sharing a close bond and friendship with Acharya. The chief minister described Acharya as “a friend, a mentor and an elder brother.”

“He had the passion to work and gave his best to alleviate the economic condition of the people by encouraging and facilitating private investors to our state. His genuine concern for the weaker and underprivileged sections of society is evident from all his activities,” Rio said.

“The prevailing situation in Nagaland wasn’t conducive for realising his efforts and dreams and on several occasions during the course of our discussions, he expressed disappointment on the subject,” he recalled.

“Your support to the government’s efforts towards realising permanent peace and solution to the Naga political issue is well appreciated,” Rio said.

Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton said that Acharya had proved his mettle by smoothly handling the political situations within the ambit of the Indian Constitution during his tenure. “Our people will never forget his famous sentence that ‘Nagaland is rich but Nagas are poor.’ This phrase has certainly opened the eyes of our people that we should move out of our comfort zones, loosen our rigidity and think out of the box,” Patton said.

Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang believes that the governor will continue to support the Naga people for an amicable solution to the Naga Political problem.

“Your simplicity and down-to-earth attitude regardless of being the constitutional head, and the good hospitality provided by Kavita Acharya will ever be remembered by the Naga people,” he said.

Chief Secretary Temjen Toy mentioned that the Raj Bhavan had the “maximum number of guests” during Acharya’s tenure—with more than 5000 guests spending their night at Raj Bhavan.