Language is central to culture and education- Governor

Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAY 30

Governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar who graced the 75^th year platinum jubilee celebrations of the Ura Academy as the chief guest today, said that language is central to culture and education.

Addressing a seating capacity crowd here at the NBCC Convention Centre in Kohima, Dr. Ashwani Kumar paid rich tributes to the members of the Angami Literature Committee of 1939 who started the journey of the Ura Academy. These pioneers of language and their contribution has been immense to the development and growth of Tenyidie and today all of us should join hands in paying our respects to them, he remarked.

The governor lauded Ura Academy for its significant achievement in making the North East Hill University and Nagaland University agree to recognize Tenyidie as a language for introduction at pre-university stage, then graduate and now at post-graduate level. He also acknowledged the institution for having published several hundred books of language and literature as well as on various subjects of socio-cultural importance to Tenyimi tribes.Stressing that it is difficult to imagine culture and education without language, Dr. Ashwani said that while Nagaland state enjoys a complete freedom and full autonomy in promoting, preserving and practising its culture, customs, language and traditions, there is need to cover more grounds to achieve complete success.

He talked about the importance of learning the mother tongue during the early stages of life, then the state and regional or national languages followed by a foreign language(s) in the modern world. Research studies indicate that multi-lingual children have better cognitive ability and are academically more creative and socially more tolerant and acceptable, he said.

While terming the resolution adopted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in 1967 making English as the official language of the government as wise, the governor feels that somehow developing fully the first and third languages for instruction and communication had been neglected. “Speaking and learning the third language is very necessary for communication in the modern world as is the knowledge of local/mother tongue,” he said.

“To ensure that Naga children make their mark in the outside world, we should teach them not only their mother tongue, English or Hindi but also a foreign language,” the governor said. In this regard, he urged upon the Ura Academy to take up the challenge of not only promoting the local language, but also take measures to provide opportunities to the tribal children to learn and speak at least one foreign language by the time they graduate.

Dr. Ashwani Kumar also called upon Ura Academy to continue to put in greater efforts to promote and propagate the culture of Tenyimi tribes as well as other tribes of Nagaland. “There is so much variety, diversity and yet harmony in cultures of different tribes of Nagaland,” he commented and added that an effort to research and record varieties of Naga culture can become a permanent source of inspiration for the future generations.

Earlier in the programme, Japfü Culture Society performed ‘Tati-75’, a conglomeration of 75 Tatis (indigenous musical instrument) to mark the 75^th year anniversary celebration. Zhavise Vihienuo, one of the pioneers of Tenyidie also delivered a brief speech. Different renowned Tenyimi artistes including Nise Meruno, Keviyiengunuo, Menguseu and Nagapellas also enthralled the gathering on the occasion. Tenyimia women group from Manipur and the Jubilee choir also performed powerful chorals.

A host of dignitaries attended the programme including newly inducted Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, NLA speaker Chotisüh Sazo, ministers Kiyanilie Peseyie and Dr. Neikesalie Kire, parliamentary secretaries Neiba Kronu, Vikho-o Yhoshü, Deo Nukhu, Zhaleo Rio and Khriehu Liezietsu, and leaders of Tenyimi tribe Hohos.

In the afternoon, Pro-Vice Chancellor Nagaland University and chairman Ao Literature Board, Prof. Lanunungsang inaugurated the platinum jubilee exhibition stall of Ura Academy.