Wokha
Patton urges youth to take up farming profession
Our Correspondent
Wokha, Dec. 29 (EMN): Expounding on the agrarian culture of the Nagas, who were self-sufficient since time immemorial, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton, encouraged the youth to revive that culture by taking up farming as profession and assured his support to those educated youth who are determined to take such projects.
Maintaining that farming is part and way of life of the Nagas, Patton has encouraged the educated youth to take up farming on professional basis in order to boost the state economy. He has also assured his support towards those youth who are determined to take up such projects.
Patton stated this at the culmination programme of a two-day Old Riphyim Students’ Union (ORSU) platinum jubilee celebration on December 29 held at Old Riphyim GMS compound as the special guest. Patton encouraged the village residents to put extra efforts in fostering unity for future prosperity. He also urged the students to continue upholding the visions of their elders for which the union was formed 75 years ago.
He encouraged the students to acquire quality education and compete in state and central examinations to excel in life. Besides, he also encouraged the students to be professional in various fields stating that education is not only about getting government jobs but being self-reliant and providing employment to society by becoming entrepreneurs.
He also urged upon the people of Old Riphyim to do away with past differences through the celebration of ORSU platinum jubilee and renew and strengthen their relationship through unity and brotherhood with an accommodative spirit.
He advised the student community and youth to make use of mobile phones in their educational learning process and not misuse them.
On the occasion, Patton called upon the people of Old Riphiyim and the Lotha community to seek forgiveness, if any, for commission of wrong doing. He further expressed hope that the people of Old Riphiyim and Lotha community would march ahead and accomplish many achievements through the 75th jubilee celebration.
The professor of Economics at Nagaland University, Prof. T Zarenthung Ezung, while speaking on the theme “Beyond the horizon,” stated that knowledge is the vehicle that would change one’s life. According to him, education defines and refines the society saying, “Through education a blind could see, a deaf could hear and dumb could speak,” adding “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”
While acknowledging Old Riphiyim village for producing many government officers and politicians, he called upon the present generation not to dim the light but to be torch-bearers and inspiration for generations to come.
He further called upon the youth to think out of the box and be a job providers and not job seekers. Stating that the youth need to take various responsibilities, he urged the students to continue contributing towards the community and not be contented with what they have achieved.
Earlier, Y Patton unveiled the platinum jubilee monolith, while Rev. Z John Patton administered the dedicatory prayer.
Presidents of Lotha Students’ Union and Old Riphyim Gazetted Officer’ Forum also delivered short speeches.