Zeliang stresses on documenting culture and tradition

KOHIMA — While elaborating that Zeliang community has a rich culture and tradition, Deputy Chief Minister and minister in-charge of Planning and Transformation, National Highway, TR Zeliang, has stressed on the necessity to document them and pass on to the younger generations.

He stated this while speaking at the Hega Festival-cum-Peren village community building inauguration in Peren village on Wednesday. He opined that the coming of Christianity has been a huge blessing but it has also diluted and to some extent destroyed the rich cultural and traditional practices.

“As educated and modern people, it is up to us to try to revive and let our culture shine again,” he said.

Unlike other villages, Peren village celebrates the Hega festival with much pride and joy, he said, and encouraged them to continue to do so that the younger generations do not forget their cultural and traditional festival.

Speaking about the historical importance of Peren village, he stated that Peren was established as an IB station by the Britishers.

“During the Second World War, a bomb was dropped here but fortunately, it did not detonate. Peren being centrally located was selected as Committee Ki of Zeliang Area by 25 elders represented from every range/village. And this Committee Ki is now Peren town the former headquarters of the district,” he said.

He thanked the people of the village for their generosity in donating their land for all the Zeliangs to establish a town within their jurisdiction. 

He clarified the misconception that the present DC complex is detached from Peren town. He opined that it should not be written as ‘DC Complex or New Peren’ but should be ‘DC complex, Peren, or New DC complex, Peren.’

Taking into consideration the challenges faced by the people concerning the connectivity to the district headquarters, he expressed hope that the same would be fulfilled within five years.

The deputy chief minister also highlighted various proposed road projects under the Peren district namely Peren town to DC complex via Chalkot junction. He informed that the road for New Peren village has already been approved under NESIDS (Roads) and DPR has been submitted for sanction.

He added that another road from Peren town to Government College New Campus via Peren Namdi is under construction. Besides, he stated that the road from Jalukie B to DC complex via Kejanglwa village has been approved under NESIDS (Roads) 2023-24.

He has appreciated Peren village council for issuing NOC for the construction of Peren College road via Peren Namdi.

The advisor of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio, accompanied the deputy chief minister.

Earlier, Rev. Suitei Ndang, chairman of ZBCC, said the dedicatory prayer, while short speeches were delivered by Azenuo Pienyu, director of Rural Development;  Veyielo Doulo, director of Tourism; and Vineet Kumar, deputy commissioner of Peren.

Former NLA speaker and advisor of NDPP, Neiba Ndang, spoke on the significance of Hega festival, while Mireulung Sephe presented report on the construction of the community building.