Nagaland Statehood Day: Every citizen can be agent of change, says Governor Jagdish Mukhi

Governor says nepotism, opaque administration, corruption have no place in the state

Kohima, Nov. 30 (EMN): Nagaland Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi on Wednesday extended greetings to the people of the state on the occasion the 60th Statehood Day. He said the state has experienced unprecedented progress in every sector and emerged as one of the promising states in the growth narrative of the country.

The Statehood Day programme will be held on Thursday, December 1, at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima, where Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will take the general salute, inspect the parade and address the 60th Statehood Day celebration.

/

In a message delivered to the people of Nagaland on the eve of the occasion from Raj Bhavan in Kohima, Mukhi said that the contribution of each and every citizen of the state during the transitional phase of Nagaland’s evolution to the present state needs special mention and acknowledged the “immeasurable sacrifices and unrelenting efforts of many unsung heroes of our soil.”

Remembering pioneers and leaders who contributed immensely in shaping the state of Nagaland, he said such leaders with great foresight sowed the seed and nurtured the vision of an ideal Nagaland flourishing in peace, harmony, progress and development.

“As we celebrate six decades of statehood, we look back and take pride in all our triumphs in the face of daunting challenges,” he said while emphasising that now would be an opportune moment to reflect on miscalculated steps and blunders, deliberate and engage on core issues and put in more concerted efforts towards attaining a transformed and progressive state.

The governor reminded that every citizen, farmer, entrepreneur, sportsperson, leader, church and civil society organisations from the state have a vital role, none undermining the other and can be agents of change in thrusting Nagaland forward.

He asserted that nepotism, opaque administration, corruption and anything that corrodes a society have no place in the state, while reminding that they must take a pledge on the solemn day to aspire to be one such state where meritocracy, transparency and accountability in governance have primacy over parochial and self-interest gains.

“This is the only way to propel Nagaland and establish itself in this otherwise fast paced world of globalisation and modernity,” he said.

Affirming that development cannot be achieved when there is an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, Mukhi emphasised on the need to create a conducive environment in all manner for children to thrive and not only survive.

“We need to empower our youth and make them job creators so that they can also contribute to the economic development of Northeast India in general and Nagaland in particular,” he said.

Maintaining that people should set out into entrepreneurship and become job providers rather than job seekers, he advised them to try their hands in start-up ventures and look for innovative ways to make their presence felt.

Mukhi recommended educated youths to take up agriculture on their lands as a profession, which will bring not only economic growth but also self-reliance.

With the utilisation of the latest technology, he advised how one can improve crop yields and catapult the state’s development and improve the entrepreneurial landscape of the state.

The impact of any development can only be felt when its fruits reach the lowest strata of society, he said, asserting that it has been one of the priorities of the government to reach out to the weaker sections of the society to bring them under the ambit of development and make them stakeholders of their initiatives.

Mukhi reminded that the strength of youth and bond as a community lies in their unique identity and inherent values that defines them as a society.

“Let us therefore rely on our strengths, work on our strength, rise to the challenges and become equal partners in our endeavour to achieve our goals and fulfill our dreams of a robust Nagaland,” he added.

Asserting that women empowerment is fundamental to the progress of any society, he said no nation can progress socially or economically if its women are left behind.

“If the women are not empowered, if they are not safe, if gender discrimination exists, then the society cannot progress and prosper,” Mukhi added.

Further, he urged all to come together infused with the spirit of fraternity and join hands to build a better and transformed Nagaland for posterity and take their state and its people to greater heights and glory.