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Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 22 (EMN): The deputy director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Dr. Ilang, has urged the veterinary field assistants to rededicate themselves in the service towards the uplift and welfare of farmers across the state and be committed to their service as per the expectation of the government.
Ilang stated this while addressing the 19th general conference of the Nagaland Veterinary Field Assistants' Association (NVFAA) as the guest speaker on Thursday at Jubilee Memorial Centre at Lerie in Kohima.
While congratulating NVFAA on attaining 40 years of existence since its establishment in 1981, Ilang refreshed their minds to retrospect what they had done for the people of Nagaland as a whole during the last four decades.
"What have you achieved as per your motto: For the welfare of the farmers," he asked and urged them to set targets for the years ahead by recommitting themselves for the betterment of the association and welfare of the famers.
Lamenting that there are those from the department, who do not even know how to administer an injection to animals, he said as veterinarians, one should be well equipped, well informed and experts in handling the animals and saving their lives.
While emphasising on the welfare of the farmers in the field of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Ilang, who is also the vice-president of Indian Veterinary Association, called on the need to adopt techniques for taking care of animals.
Stating that NVFAA has a strong membership of 325, he asked them to deliver their service to the general public especially the villages to uplift the standard of economy by enhancing the wellbeing of their livestock. He said that if 325 persons could vaccinate at least an animal each day, they would be able to boost the livelihood of the farmers in an enormous way.
He also shared about the unavailability of sufficient dairy cattle in Nagaland due to which funds could not be pumped into the state though the central government is emphasising on protecting and developing such livestock.
The official said that with the changing of time, the department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services is now being recognised and kept under the tag "essential department" by the government.
Informing about the upcoming World Veterinary Day to be celebrated on the theme "Veterinarian response to the Covid-19 crisis," he said that the department has a huge role in food safety and food security, public health, controlling and eradication of diseases besides income of livestock producing farmers or animal health.
Meanwhile, Ilang, who is also the serving president of Confederation of All Nagaland State Service Employees' Association (Canssea), informed that 'they have decided to work hand-in-hand with the government and act as the power engine of the government whenever they are posted and also execute their duties diligently'.
He has appealed to NVFAA, which is one among the 70 affiliated associations under Canssea, to deliver justice to their job wherever they are posted.
He said, “there are those government servants who attend once a month in office and take home their salaries. How can we expect to build a better society if we don't practice what we are assigned to?" he wondered.
Also speaking on the occasion, T Kedorü Kuotsu, first president of NVFAA, shared on the genesis of the association and asked the members to work in unison for the uplift of the association.
He also suggested the present headquarters of NVFAA at Dimapur to be a permanent location where all the districts could come to gather conveniently. He also advised NVFAA members to undergo necessary training for more professionalism in their service towards the society.
During the valedictory session, Tokiho Swu, convenor of the search committee, introduced the NVFAA new team of office bearers for the tenure 2021-25.
The outgoing NVFAA president, B Imlier Jamir, while sharing about his experiences and the ups and downs during his incumbency, has acknowledged Nosazonu Puyo, the incoming president for acting as his "left and right hands" during his tenure as the general secretary.
He exuded confidence in the leadership of Puyo towards taking the association to a higher level and also contributed for the benefit of the livestock farmers in the state.
Puyo, while thanking all the concerned members for reposing trust on her leadership to lead the association, sought the cooperation from all members. Vimhaseo George Richa, public and information secretary of NVFAA, informed that following all existing government SOPs with 50% attendance, the event was conducted with representatives from all over the state.