Cultural extravaganza mark day-3 Tokhu Emong celebration

Lotha Eloe Ekhüng Dimapur organises cultural song competition. DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6: The third day of Tokhu Emong festival was marked by folk song competition. The programme was graced by advisor, Treasuries & Accounts, Relief & RehabilitationDr.T M Lotha as special guest. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Lotha called uponthe Lotha community to wake up and take initiativein preserving their rich culture. Sating that their ancestors who walked the past has handed culture and histories verbally, he urged the community to preserve in whichever way it ispossible, elseLothaswill be a lost tribeif the present generation lack interest in culture and traditions. He quoted “the society is in a competitive world” where the Derwin theory of life, “survival of the fittest”, has applied to the present generation, where it is not possible for the governmentis to provide jobs to all unemployed youth of the society. Citing on Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s vision on “Skills India”, he advised all the youth to avail skill education and to make it a ground reality, as education is high and opportunity in other fields areless in the society. Further, he pointed out that gone are the days where government educated and encouraged the people by providing funds, but the present generation has to work for it. Therefore, he told the society not to wait or expect government funds and subsidies A total of 16 competitors participated. Tsumang “A” Colony emerged as the winner, Vungoju colony and Upper Mount Tiyi College (UMTC) colony in second and third respectively. In the evening, musical night (Khenden Zumo) was organised, where Thavaseelen (IAS), ADC Wokha, was the special guest and special appearance of Naga iconic musician namely, Methanelie Jutakhrie and local Lotha artists, Lumka & Yanth and Shipo the Mites enthralled the crowd. [caption id="attachment_82258" align="alignleft" width="300"] Cultural troupes presenting folk song at day- 3 Tokhu Emong festival in Wokha.[/caption] As part of Tokhu Emong festival and to uplift the culture and traditions of the community and to encourage the women community, Lotha Eloe Ekhüng Dimapur (LEED) organised cultural song competition for women community on November 6, at badminton stadium, Dimapur. Abeny Ezung spoke on the importance of the different colours of the Lotha traditional attire in names which have been recognized by the Hoho.She also displayed a model on how to wear the attire and in which occasion. Traditional jewellery and head gear indications was also discussed for the benefit of the community. A total of 359 women divided into ten groups of various colonies of Dimapur namely Nagarjan, Burma camp/ veterinary, Duncan/court, Lotha oriental and Kashiram, Kyong/HMC, PWD/ supply/ riverbelt/ signal, town/ Notun/Dudu/ balijan/ Longki, Rilan/ Mon basti, senjumyan and borlengri participated. Judges of the competition were, Abeny Ezung, Elizabeth Merry, Zubeno Mozhü, Renthunglo Shitiri and Avoni Odyuo.The competition adjudged Duncan/ Court colony, Lotha oriental and Kashiram colony and Burma Camp/ Veterinary colony in the first, second and third position respectively. The best attire worn on the day was adjudged to Town/ Notun/Dudu/ Balijan/ Longki colony. Earlier, the programme was chaired by Renbeni Kithan, invocation prayer was pronounced by good shepherd seminary, Dimapur Reverend Fr. Yanpvuthung Philip, welcome address was delivered by LEED president Sungsabeni Jamio while benediction was pronounced by AG, women leader Chanchano Ngulliee and vote of thanks was proposed by LEED secretary Zujano Patton.