Dimapur, Dec. 13 (EMN): With virtually no sign of development in the State, Governor PB Acharya has called upon the students to fight corruption, which according to him is the biggest disease ailing the Naga society.
Stating that Nagaland has a budget of INR 1500 crore every year coaxed the students to ponder where has all the money gone. He added that every MLA gets INR two crore annually for the development of their respective constituency.
Acharya said this while addressing the inaugural session of the 48th general conference of Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SKK) in Zutovi village on December 13.
“Road connectivity is a political job, it should be done by your politicians, bureaucrats, contractors and you have to question them. Stand against corruption, it is the biggest disease. Every year, Nagaland has a budget of Rs 1500 crore, where does it go?” he said.
In response to the representation submitted to him regarding development of Nagaland University (NU), Lumami, Acharya has termed as ‘pertinent and important.’ Making a comparison with the neighbouring Tezpur University and NU which started at the same year, he remarked that the former had progressed by leaps and bounds while the latter was yet to see development in many areas.
Acharya pointed out that the conventional degrees being offered by universities in the country were hardly applicable today and reminded about including skill development in the last semester. Acharya said there is nothing wrong in the conventional degrees but added “If you want to make a golden Nagaland you have to enter into the skill sector.”
He also spoke about the diminishing work culture where nobody wanted to be a welder, electrician, plumber etc. “These are the jobs required in every industry,” he said.
Acharya has described it as a “lamenting story” about the NU Lumami students demanding a truck at least once in a week for going to Assam border to purchase vegetables. He said the students’ grievances were presented to him during one of his visits to NU Lumami.
Touching upon the education sector, Acharya said that the government schools in Nagaland attracted only the poor people while the rich send their children to private schools.
Exhorting that young people have to be a game changer, he called for a change in the mindset. Acharya said Nagaland is overflowing with government employees and that there was hardly any opportunity to get government jobs.
“Many infrastructure are missing in schools, funds are coming in for Mid Day Meal Scheme but where are they vanishing?” he queried.
On the Naga political issue, Acharya reminded about the agreements inked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi government with NSCN (IM) and the six NNPGS and expressed hope that peace process would be finalised either before Christmas or immediately after Christmas.
The Governor has praised the SKK for conducting the programme in Sumi dialect saying, “Mother tongue is God-given, be proud to be a Sumi but it does not mean about hating others. Without your mother tongue, you have no identity and you will be nowhere.”
The Governor upon his arrival unveiled the conference monolith in the premises of Zutovi Village Baptist Church.
SKK president Ninoto Awomi, in his keynote address, paid rich tributes to the pioneers and former leaders of the union and also highlighted on the issues taken up by the union regarding transfer with post in the education department, SARDP, illegal immigrants in Zunheboto town, Mission Doing Right etc.
Sumi Hoho president Hekhushe Shikhu urged upon the youngsters to introspect into what they could contribute towards the society. “Revoke disunity amongst yourself and appreciate each other for the betterment of our society,” he said. He also encouraged preserving and promoting Sumi dialect.
NSF president Kesosul Christopher Ltu stressed on the issue of illegal immigrants saying “unless we were ready to embrace work culture, the menace cannot be contained or addressed.”
In this connection, he pointed out that as long as the State’s economy is controlled by others, the future is in jeopardy. He made a clarion call for promoting one another within the society for a vibrant economy.
Convenor of central organising committee S Zhevihe Swu chaired the programme, while Rev. Dr. Hevukhu Achumi, executive secretary WSBAK, pronounced the invocation.
