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Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, Oct. 22 (EMN): Onpangkong Testur Mungdang (OTM), apex women organisation of Ongpangkong range in Mokokchung, conducted a seminar for the students on October 22 at Ongpangkong Salang in Arkong Ward in Mokokchung town on the theme “Aor Shisangren” (Understanding the unique characteristic of Ao ethos).”
Speaking on the occasion, the main speaker and recipient of Padma Shree, T Senka Ao, underscored that every village and community has its own unique culture and language. According to him, Ao community has two unique identities that are discipline and truthfulness, which is the trademark passed down by the forefathers. Senka mentioned that discipleship starts from the smallest things adding that unless one disciplined oneself, it won’t be possible to lead discipleship.
He also advised the students that they would not know their roots and eventually vapourise their identity if they forget their culture. He added that just knowing culture was not complete but they have to understand the deeper meaning of following and conserving the rich ethos.
In this connection, he urged the students to seek knowledge from elders of their rich culture and tradition.
“The knowledge you gain from the elders will be the wealth for you and for coming generations,” he asserted.
Senka lamented that the undisputed virtues of honesty, hardworking, sincerity and discipline written by James Philip Mill about Ao has been lost today. He observed that those virtues must have been lost because of the paradigm shift of the 20th century development and easy money environment they are living in.
In this connection, he advised the student to be what they are first.
“If you are not what you are and dishonest, then you won’t inherit the rich ethos; there are many good ethos practiced by our forefathers. Let us protect and preserve this great inheritance,” he appealed to the students.