DC Dimapur launches awareness campaign

DIMAPUR — The deputy commissioner of Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, on Thursday launched the six-month awareness campaign on ‘Adolescents as agents for social change,’ which was initiated by Can Youth during a programme held at his office conference hall on the theme “I Can.”

Speaking at the launch event as the special guest, Dr. Chang observed that the Naga society has gone from bad to worse especially in terms of increased numbers of HIV/AIDS infection among the youth. He anticipated a bleak future unless the youth change their mindset.

Describing Dimapur as a ‘Mini-Nagaland,’ where people from various Naga tribes and different backgrounds reside, Dr. Chang was of the opinion that a transformed Dimapur could set a positive example for other districts to follow.

Mentioning that many registered societies were driven with motive for self-aggrandisement instead of working towards the aims and objectives as outlined in their constitutions at the time of registration, he stated that, as a result, many NGOs and societies were deprived of the benefits they were supposed to receive from the government.

Informing that the government would provide assistance to genuine registered societies, he urged all the leaders especially those from DUCCF, DDCF, DNSU and civil societies to extend their support in order to bring about positive change in the society.

In his keynote address, the founder and chief functionary of Can Youth, Jenpu Rhakho Rongmei, has termed Dimapur as a city with diverse characteristics offering various opportunities.

“In Dimapur city, there is a group of people seeking opportunities and striving to live with dignity and equality without judgment and this group of people is called adolescents,” Rongmei said.

Describing adolescent as a vulnerable stage with various pressures, he stated that Can Youth initiated the campaign to inform the people of Dimapur, including civil societies and various organisations about the needs of adolescents. He appealed to all the organisations to come together to understand the problems of adolescents and to make Dimapur a community friendly city where each and everyone can express their desire.

He also mentioned that during the 6-month campaign, they would reach out to various colonies and villages to conduct different kind of programmes. In this regard, appealed to the respective colony chairpersons, councils and the leaders of various civil societies to extend their helping hand.