Mokokchung
AKM conference gets underway in Akhoya
The 69th edition of the Ao Students’ Conference (Ao Kaketshir Mungdang) got underway in Akhoya village under Mokokchung district on Wednesday with the minister of Housing and Mechanical, Tongpang Ozukum, as the inaugural guest.
The minister, in his address, shared that the first newspaper in Nagaland namely ‘Ao Milen’ started way back in 1932 and urged the AKM to work towards enhancement of the vernacular’s subscribers with a vision for the 100 years celebration of AKM.
Ozukum also dwelled on the condition and position of Mokokchung Law College, the brainchild of AKM.
While encouraging AKM to work towards revival of the institution, he also emphasised on the promotion of Ao language stating that in 74 years since the creation of the Ao Literature Board, “we were able to introduce Ao as an honours subject only in 2023.”
He further challenged AKM to make an effort to introduce masters’ and Ph.D degrees in Ao, and also to introduce Ao subject in at least three colleges in Nagaland.
The opening ceremony of the conference was presented by Akhoya Shisaluyimer Telongjem followed with a dedicatory prayer said by the pastor of Akhoya Baptist Church, Rev. T Lanu.
Advisor of Industries and Commerce, Labour and Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Imnatiba, also exhorted the gathering, while the president of Central Nagaland Students’ Association, R Sunep Pongen, delivered greetings on behalf of CNSA.
A total of 1357 delegates from six ranges and 18 sub-units and five colleges in Mokokchung district are attending the conference. The conference would conclude on January 20.