Pohwang grateful

Naga People’s Front (NPF) 44 Phomching assembly constituency conducted felicitation programme in honour of Pohwang, parliamentary secretary fire & emergency service and relief & rehabilitation, April 23 at its office Mon.

Speaking at the programme, the parliamentary secretary expressed gratitude to all the party workers and the electorates of 44 AC for their support and hard work during the recently concluded assembly election, stated a press release, NPF Phomching unit general secretary C.Ngamching Konyak.

Parliamentary secretary Pohwang also urged the party workers and his supporters to work hand in hand for all round development of the area.

Further, he asserted that cooperation and coordination was the only way to success in every endeavour.

Others who spoke at the programme included NPF 44 Phomching unit president Aluh, Chief Angh; Wangnyem PS to parliamentary secretary and various party workers.

Projects abandoned due to land ownership issue: Paiwang Konyak

Art. 371, a privilige for Nagas, but holding back development - Paiwang Konyak .
Parliamentary secretary for transport & communication P. Paiwang Konyak Tuesday said most transport and communication related projects in the state have been “abandoned due to landownership problem or lack of availability of required land for the projects.”

He pointed out Article 371 of the Constitution of India was a privilege for the Nagas but at the same time it was also pushing the state backward as the same held back development of the state due to landownership.

Paiwang raised these points in a meeting chaired by him which was held in Dimapur to discuss ways and means to expedite introduction of railway connectivity in the state.

The meeting was attended by the department of state transport (NST), railway officials from North East Frontier Railway (NEFR) and Dimapur district administration.

According to a DIPR report, Paiwang said despite the efforts of the railway to introduce rail connectivity in the state, it has not achieved its target due to “some lapses.”

Stating that the lack of development in the state could not be blamed on the government alone, the parliamentary secretary said the people of the state had equal responsibility and that they should realize why state could not take forward the development process.

Paiwang also said NGOs in the state had a vital role to play and social organizations had to come forward in assisting the government for implementing developmental projects in the state.

He pointed out Article 371 of the Constitution of India was a privilege for the Nagas but at the same time it was also pushing the state backward as the same held back development of the state due to landownership.

Referring to railway connectivity in the state, the parliamentary secretary said he would go on knocking from door to door to see that the project becomes a reality.

Chief engineer (construction) NEFR, Maligaon Madan Sen informed railway department has conducted line survey from Dimapur to Zubza earlier but the survey had been abandoned due to exorbitant land rate of Rs. 60 per sq. feet. Railway authority of India has fixed the rate at Rs 25 per sq. feet.

The second phase survey was also abandoned as the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment did not give clearance for the railway line to pass through the zoological park Rangapahar.

Sen also said railway authorities had taken up third phase survey and an estimate has been prepared for railway connectivity (88 km) from Dhansiripar (Assam) to Zubza at the cost of Rs. 2440 crores which would also require 944 hectares of land.

Center planning to set up University in Mon

It is good news for the people of Mon district as the Government of India has reportedly chosen the district for the establishment of a Central University. According to sources, the Government of India has already announced to establish a Central University in each state of the country.

With efforts to uplift the district, it is reported that the Government has chosen Mon as it is the most backward district in the state. It is also reported that the Center has already sought necessary clearance from the state government for the establishment of the University in the district.

Methna Konyak, president of the Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), has confirmed this development saying that land was not the problem for establishment of the Central University in their district. “We have already conveyed that land very ideal for establishment of any Central University is available in the district,” he told NEPS from Mon headquarters on Friday. “But the state government is buying time taking excuse of not having colleges in the district,” he added.

“The backwardness of the district is not the fault of the people in the district but the state government,” he said describing the backwardness of the district as “man-made.” He further asked, “Where have the DUDA, Special Plan Assistance (SPA) money of Rs 300 crore, LADF and other fund meant for ENPO area development gone?” “All those claims of development under various schemes are only in the papers and not in reality,” he alleged saying that successive governments had been neglecting the district.

Meanwhile, the KSU leader lauded Parliamentary Secretary for High Education, Deo Nukhu for having visited the only Wangkhao Government College in the district and providing assurances for setting up a “science stream” in the college. “This college is the only college in the district,” he disclosed and further asked the Parliamentary Secretary to expedite construction works of various college blocks. “All the construction works of the various blocks of the college remained dormant since long time back,” he disclosed.

Konyak also said that the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio while attending a rally in Tuensang promised to open a “Science College” in Mon district.

“Although we are very happy for the assurance given by the visiting Parliamentary Secretary, it is appropriate to also introduce science streams in Higher Secondary Schools at least in Tizit and Aboi areas,” Methna added. He informed that at the moment, there is only one Higher Secondary School at Mon with science stream but hardly 50 students could be accommodated in a year. “So unless few more Higher Secondary Schools, at least one each at Tizit and Aboi are given Science Streams, introducing Science Stream in Wangkaho College itself will not help,” he added.

The KSU leader also said that there was a shortage of science and math teachers numbering about 50 in the district and further opined that recruitment of teachers for the district should be open in an all India level. “We want dedicated teachers here,” he added saying that “Our local teachers, once appointed to service in the district, will go away within no time along with the posts and the ultimate victims are the innocent students in the district.”

Minister Pangteang inspects tourism projects in Dimapur

Minster for Tourism, Art & Culture and Elections, EE Pangteang along with others during the inspection at summer designation camp at Hokhezhe, Niuland .

A team lead by Minster for Tourism, Art & Culture and Elections, EE Pangteang, along with Director, OSD (IHM) two SDOs, PRO, TO and staff of Tourism Department on April 13 inspected the ongoing mega (3 star) project, convention centre, institute of hotel management (IHM), Lavi Lake and completed projects of tourist destinations at Niuland and also the upgraded tourist lodge, all located in Dimapur district headquarters.

A press mote issued by Department of Tourism, Public Relations Officer, Lisapila Anar stated that the Minister was impressed by the projects taken up which was funded by the Ministry Of Tourism, Government of India and the North East Council (NEC).

However, on seeing the level and standard of infrastructure set up by the engineering wing, due to workmanship and skills, he was not satisfied with some of the projects. He advised them to strictly follow the architectural designs and specifications of the layout diagrams by the Luit Valley Pvt Ltd Guwahati, without any deviation and modification and supervise the quality control works from time to time so that quality infrastructure and assets could be worked out in the near future. He also advised the contractors to execute and complete the works as per the works allotted time.

Furthermore, the Minister mentioned that the upgraded Tourist Lodge at Dimapur should be re-launched and run in a systematic way and managed properly by the Department soon to generate revenue and also cater to the needs of tourists and other visitors once the necessary ground work preparation is being made.

Kevilevor Phizo passes away

Kevilevor Phizo

Naga National Council leader Kevilevor Phizo passed away today in London, at around 3:30pm (Indian Standard Time). Eldest among the sons and third among the children of the legendary Naga leader AZ Phizo, Kevilevor was based in London with his older sister Adinno Phizo, the president of the Naga National Council. Born on February 20, 1939, Kevilevor is reported to have been a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Naga National Council.

Without culture, We lose our identity......Vibrant colors and log drums mark Aoleang in Mon

(LEFT) Konyak Union President, Khoiwang Wangsa, and Nagaland Minister for PHE, Noke Wangnao arrive at the Mon ground to celebrate the Aoleang festival on April 5. (RIGHT) Women in traditional ornaments proceed to take their place in Mon ground where their places were marked by rings. 16 regional units of the Konyak Union participated in the Aoleang festival in Mon on April 5.

An old man in glasses, shorts and traditional finery could not control his enthusiasm—he insisted on beating the log drum alone even after his team walked out of the field. Everyone enjoyed the solo as Mon has been in high spirits for a few days now—the festivities around Aoleang began on April 1. Today’s celebration at the football ground in Mon town was symbolic of this spirit. It came decked in orange and blue beads, red and green sashes, bells, wild boar ivory, shells, wood, metal heads and feathers. The Konyak people, in all their finery, welcomed the coming of spring and the start of the agricultural season, drums, guns and hums announcing the productive year to come.

Celebrated every year, Aoleang was arranged in Mon town by the Konyak Union for the third time this year. 16 regional units of the Konyak Union participated in the gargantuan gathering at the football ground with thousands of spectators. As the sun blazed, the groups (some of men, others of women) danced together in separate rings, marked out on the ground beforehand.

All maintained the necessity of saving the Konyak cultural heritage for posterity. “The festival has changed in many ways over the years due to modernisation,” said M. Noke Wangnao, Nagaland state minister for PHE, in his speech as the chief guest before joining the participants in their dancing rings. “Nonetheless, our traditions should be maintained as they are for future generations. When we go outside, interact with other people, we should be proud of saying that we are Konyak,” he added to his speech that was delivered in Konyak.

“Culture and tradition are still considered evil deeds,” stated Khoiwang Wangsa, President of the Konyak Union, following an invocation by M. Chemyuh, Executive Secretary of KBBB. “But we must remember that by following them, we reiterate our identity. These symbols are our culture, without which we will lose our identity,” Khoiwang articulated. He also acknowledged the state government’s Road Show initiative which seeks to trace “our culture”, thereby strengthening identity.

Aoleang is celebrated over a period of one week, with related activities running even 15-20 days before the festival. It is regarded the most important festival of the Konyak Nagas, requiring the participation of all individuals of a village, with special significance for the youth, as well as for peace and reconciliation.

Preservation of these traditions has become challenging for the community. Changes have marked the cultural landscape since the advent of Christianity. In an attempt at preservation ideas, Noke Wangnao suggested that “traditional attires should be uniformed—some wear shoes with attires and this should stop.” Belonging in an agricultural community, the incentives to celebrate Aoleang, however, remain. “Having completed the sowing in March, the Konyak Nagas relax and enjoy the beginning of the new year in the spring season when in the countryside, there is a riot of flowers of all hues and colours,” explained Rev. Y. Chingang Konyak in a speech on the significance of Aoleang.
With half of modernity creeping into Konyak society, it might seem like the enthusiasm for the festival might dwindle.

But the Konyak youth volunteered at the festival in ornaments and proud ownership of their heritage. Despite the lag in electricity, roads, water and all other markers of modern civilisation, with doctors doubling up as sound engineers, Mon beat its drums and shot its guns loud and clear—traditional and cultural significance of Aoleang, making itself an identity of the Konyak people, will stay on as intended. This was clear as Noke Wangnao, Khoiwang Wangsa, S. Manlip (Convenor of the Aoleang Committee) and others hopped from one group to the other, in their traditional hats, breaking hierarchical barriers and dancing all afternoon with the people.

Aoleang celebrated with festivities

Alemtemshi Jamir being traditionally escorted during the Aoleang festival Kisama

Hundreds of people from the Konyak community residing in and around Kohima thronged the Bamboo Hall Kisama Wednesday to celebrate its premier festival Aoleang with chief secretary Alemtemshi Jamir as the chief guest.

The celebration showcased the rich cultural heritage with indigenous dances, songs and games combined with the modern music talents. The crowd also witnessed the performance of deputy commissioner Kohima, Honje Konyak who had enthusiastically joined the cultural troupes.

Addressing the gathering, chief secretary Alemtemshi said Mon district inhabited by the Konyak community had rich mineral deposits and potential agricultural lands. He said that with all nature’s bounty, Mon district could become one of the most prosperous districts.

He also pointed out the Konyak community was has the single largest tribe in Nagaland and their lands extended upto Arunachal Pradesh in the north and Burma in the east. He exuded confidence that the Konyaks would lead the Nagas one day. While lauding the creativity and versatile skills of the Konyak people, Jamir however suggested that the community should talk less of its “backwardness” by getting rid of its “weaknesses”. He urged the participants to be prepared for a change with the passage of time.

Earlier Konyak Union (KU) president P. Longang Konyak delivered the welcome address while deputy commissioner Kohima Honje Konyak briefed the crowd on the significance of the day. Government officials, federating units of ENPO and others also joined the celebration.  

Konyak Aoleang Monyu begins today

A Konyak dance troupe

Aoleang Monyu festival is one of the biggest traditional festivals of Konyak (Naga) tribe which would begin April 4. The spring season is a favorable and beautiful time for feasting and merry making as cold winter is over and rainy and heat summer are yet to arrive. The activity of the cleaning jungle and burning of Jhum land is finished and the varieties of new sowing seeds begun. So it marks the end of a year and heralds a coming new year. Therefore in other words, Aoleang festival is also a New Year festival for Konyak.

According to a release issued by P. Longang Konyak, president KUK, the main objective of the Aoleang festival was to invoke a divine blessing on the newly planted seeds on Jhum land and garden etc and many rituals are performed to succeed in war, good health longevity of life production of numerous livestock and to reap bounty harvest.

The word Aoleang derived from the Konyak dialect in two syllabi, ‘Ao’ which means bird and ‘leang’ means craving sexual gratification. Therefore Aoleang means bird’s sensual season as the birds of the air started crossing during this spring season and incubates to hatch to produce offspring’s. This Aoleang Monyu festival falls during the season when the birds of the jungle starts for new family and nature is budding with its new shoots.

Aoleang is marked by singing folk song, dancing and feasting in age wise group. During this festival, friends and relatives and especially guests from neighboring villages and in-laws were invited and best food and meat items are served while also gifts are distributed. This festivals also strengthens the bond of family as lady members married with other clan, village and community attends the feast and lady members from the family visits their parent’s house and feasts with the parents and sibling

Aoleang is also a time when boys and girls, attending adult starts wearing traditional attires and ornaments to join the adult group “Aih’ singing and dancing on the Aoleang feast occasion. Proposals for marriage are made during this season by the boy’s parents. Advent beating of log drums till midnight by the male folk signals the close arrival of the festival and the log drum continues to beat till it bids farewell to the Aoleang festival. It bids adieu to the festival  with serving of varieties of food, dancing, singing beating gong and log drum and gun shots till mid night till the early next morning, the festival decoration is demolished by singing and weeping and birds bids adieu to Aoleang festival and to arrive the Aoleang festival son in next year.