YRS holds literary meet to improve millet production

KOHIMA — The department of Youth Resources and Sports on Friday organised a state-level literary competition on “Improving millet production through science” at Don Bosco College in Kohima.

Speaking at the opening ceremony as the special guest, Anthony Ngully, who is also the secretary of Youth Resources and Sports, said the event would enhance the experience of the participants. Highlighting several issues confronting the youth in the state and across the world such as violence, substance abuse and others, Ngully stated that engaging the youth and the students in such events would benefit them and enhance their experience.

Kethosituo Sekhose, director of Youth Resources and Sports, highlighted the significance of the Government of India’s declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

He said the event was organised to select participants from the state to represent at the national youth festival which would be organised by the central government tentatively either in this year or next year.

The commissioner and secretary of Youth Resources and Sports, Wezope Kenye, attended the valedictory function and distributed prizes to the winners.

In his speech, Kenye maintained that the state-level literary event marked the remarkable journey of exploration, creativity and expression as well as the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the talented participants.

He commended the dedication, passion, and commitment to the written words which have not only enriched their own lives but also enriched the literary landscape of the state.

Pointing out that literature is not merely a collection of words on paper but a mirror that reflects the soul of a society, he stated that through literature people can explore the depths of human emotions, examine the complexities of human nature, and challenge the boundaries of imagination.

Naroenla, district youth resources officer who also chaired the event, said a total of 21 winners from 12 districts have been selected to present the executive summary of their research paper.

During the competition, participants made presentations of the various researches pertaining to the variety of millets, places grown, challenges, improving production storage, sustainability, use of Science, high yielding variety, intervention based on the research and survey made by the participants from various districts of Nagaland.

They also stressed the need to improve agricultural products for food security and mooted millets as an option for its nutrition, high resilience, and climate adaptability. They observed that farmers and cultivators opting for rice have led to a decrease in millet cultivation.

They further put forward the need to push and formulate food and nutrition security for the future.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Megolhou Dolie, additional director of YRS, while an invocation prayer was said by Rev. Dr. Z Mosa Tsang, pastor of Pochury Baptist Church, Kohima, and thanksgiving prayer was said by Dr. Mhalevilie Sote, associate pastor of Baptist Revival Church, Kohima.

The examiner of the competition was Dr. Imliangla Tsiekha, agriculture officer, while the judges were Rhosietho Ngouri, ADC of Kohima; Khrieseno Kikhi, deputy director of Agriculture; and Vikhotuo Sekhose, entrepreneur.

In the literary competition, Sungpha P Phom from Niuland won the first prize, while Nzanmongi from Wokha and Angon P from Mon won the second and third positions respectively.

Consolation prizes were awarded to Vekhruto Nienu from Phek, Wezeu Lohe from Dimapur, Mucham Rebecca from Noklak and Nzanthung Ezung from Chümoukedima.

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