‘Community cannot progress without harmony, cohesion’

Dimapur, May 21 (EMN): AIDA-SBI Gram Seva celebrated World Day of Cultural Diversity for dialogue and development at Bade village on Saturday in an effort to bring together its five adopted villages. A cultural mela was organised with various cultural activities while Temsuchuba Jamir, SDO of Chumoukedima was the chief guest. Jamir said that society and community cannot progress unless there is harmony and cohesion with each other, an update informed.

He said that Nagas are known for their culture but with time it has been ‘eroding with the influence of western culture.’ He stated that measures need to be taken to preserve culture which has been passed down by the forefathers.

He appreciated ANMA Integrated Development Association (AIDA) undertaking many services in the communities through bottom-up approach for the development of the society and requested to extend its services further.

Kshetrimayum Rameshwar Singh, Chief Manager Financial Inclusion SBI RBO Dimapur was the guest of honor for the event. Speaking at the event, he shared about the milestone of SBI Foundation since its inception in August 2017 in the holistic development of the village through adoption of villages. Having seen the impact of the initiatives of AIDA -SBI Gram Seva programmes towards socio cultural development, he proposed to make the cultural mela an annual event to make it more fruitful. He also stressed on corporate social responsibility and financial literacy programmes. He added that the bank will pave an avenue towards creating a link between the villagers and the nearest banking facility centre to make services accessible and available for every village.

Rev.Fr. Nebu Mathew SDB, Rector, Don Bosco, spoke on the four goals established during the UNESCO convention for the protection and promotion of diversity of cultural. A folk song was presented by Tsithrongse village followed by vote of thanks by Mhonlumi Ezung, the convergence officer of AIDA for the SBI Gram Seva programme.

Some special features of the Cultural Mela were quiz competition, talent show, tug of war, cultural folk song and dance, cock fight, arm wrestling, pork eating and banana eating competition. The programme was attended by villagers from the five adopted villages — Urra, Bade, Diezephe, Tsithrongse and Kriezephe.