Nyiro Range Students’ Union celebrates its golden jubilee with Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton as the special guest.
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WOKHA — The Nyiro Range Students’ Union (NRSU), Wokha district celebrated its golden jubilee on Tuesday at Yanthamo local ground on the theme ‘Honouring the past, ignite the future,’ with Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton as the special guest.
Addressing the gathering, the deputy chief minister spoke on the lifestyle and challenges faced by Naga youth today.
Patton urged those engaged in intoxication and unhealthy practices to embrace positive change in the spirit of the jubilee year, stressing that the future lies in one's own hands through hard work and responsibility.
Citing Mizoram as an example, he noted that most labour, trade and business activities there are undertaken by local people, unlike in Nagaland. He also appealed to parents not to impose career choices on their children but to allow them to pursue their interests and passions.
Highlighting environmental concerns, Patton called for conservation of birds and wildlife, urged ban on hunting, and advocated the promotion of tourism, pointing out the vast potential of the region.
He further encouraged students to look beyond government employment and pursue opportunities in sports, business and other fields, while expressing optimism about future development in the area.
Theme speaker Meribeni Zares Ezung, project lead of Nagaland Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Mission (NSEDM) IDAN, paid tribute to the torchbearers of the union and recalled the struggles of elders in their pursuit of education.
She noted that unemployment has steadily increased, with nearly 92 per cent of Naga youth lacking adequate skills.
Emphasising the importance of skill-based livelihoods, Ezung said sustainable income can be generated through skills and entrepreneurship. Terming unemployment as a growing social crisis, she urged youth to broaden their outlook beyond government jobs and explore wider opportunities.
She emphasised that current policies are increasingly focused on skill development and entrepreneurship, and called upon the youth to be resilient and hardworking to ignite the future while honouring the past.
Jubilee organising committee convenor N Motsuthung Yanthan, in his welcome address, expressed gratitude to all participants and guests and described the celebration as a testament to shared values and the collective journey of the union.
The programme was chaired by Phyobeni Ngullie and Dr. Nsungbemo Ezung, and invocation was offered by Rev. C Ramongo Ezung, pastor of Longsachung Baptist Church.
Special musical presentations were rendered by Longsachung Baptist Church and Niyoro Baptist Church youth directors.
Greetings on behalf of the Lotha Students’ Union was delivered by its president Lirhonthung E Kithan, while a short speech was given by Yankithung Yanthan, former MLA and former NRSU president (1976–1978).
Earlier in the day, the jubilee monolith commemorating 50 years of NRSU (1975–2025) was unveiled by the deputy chief minister and dedicated by Rev. Sulumo Ezung.