Nagaland celebrated the 62nd Nagaland Statehood Day with Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio gracing the occasion at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza Kohima on 1st December 2024.
Rio extending greetings to all on the 62nd Statehood Day reflected on enduring sentiment of "Peace for Development and Development for Peace," and appeal to every citizen to strive together to take the State to greater heights.
Addressing on ENPO issue Rio remarked that a Draft Memorandum of Settlement-Ill was submitted, on November 6th, 2024 to the Ministry of Home Affairs emphasizing a shared economic progress for all citizens and marking the beginning of a new era of partnership and collective growth.
Rio said that with the formation of Meluri as the 17th District on 2nd November 2024 fulfils a long-standing demand of the Pochury community and aligns with our policy of creating districts along tribal lines.
Also stressing on resolving the Naga Political issue Rio stated that acting on decisions taken in the Cabinet meeting of November 16th, 2024, met the Union Home Minister on November 21st, 2024. He reiterated the urgency and discussed issues including the recent press statements by the Chief Political Negotiator of NSCN (I-M) while resolving the Naga Political issue remains a top priority and the formation of new NG groups and their internal divisions pose significant challenges.
Rio said that celebrating the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival, the Hornbill Festival has grown in strength over the years and has helped boost the State economy. He added that to enhance the tourist experience a new gallery having a capacity of more than 5,000 seats capacity has been constructed at Kisama, Naga Heritage village.
Rio announced the launched of the Hornbill App providing real-time updates, schedules, and information about the festival. He added that a new Tourist Connect Scheme was introduced in collaboration with the Investment Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) to support local tour operators and home stay owners. In addition, a shuttle bus service was provided for people to navigate within the festival premises ensuring that all visitors can enjoy the festival to the fullest.
Rio remarked after nearly two decades, elections for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were conducted, implementing 33% reservation for women and consequently, 278 councillors were elected across 25 ULBs, including 103 women councillors, constituting 37% of the total.
State Government has initiated the construction of the Konyak Heritage Complex in Mon, under the North Eastern Council (NEC) a pioneering effort to preserve and promote traditional Konyak architecture, sculptures, traditions, and cultural heritage, Rio added.
Rio mentioned that to establish a robust and reliable transmission system and to meet the projected load demand of 360 Mega Watt of the State by 2030, the Department of Power has finalized a comprehensive transmission plan with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Ministry of Power.
The annual MykiFest coinciding with the Hornbill Festival, where an exhibition on Naga Tribal Designs will be displayed at Kisama. Further, for empowering our women folk, the women Resource Development Department is in the process of handing over the Turmeric Processing Unit at Jalukie to women based SHG Jalukie, Rio added.
Chief Minister Rio said the Department of New & Renewable Energy has completed the survey and investigation works for development of Lower Doyang HEP in Wokha district has been completed and a downstream of the existing 75 MW Doyang HEP and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is ready.
Chief Minister mentioned that the Department of Information Technology & Communication has notified the recently amended Guideline for Granting Right of Way (RoW), 2024 for installation of Telecom Infrastructure.
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services has established two Veterinary Hospitals at Tseminyu and Mangkolemba and three veterinary Hospitals in Shamator, Chumoukedima and Niuland are in the pipeline, Rio added.
Rio mentioned that the Department of Soil & Water Conservation is focusing on the promotion and distribution of micronutrients to cover 74,000 farmers and 74,000 hectares of land. To mitigate and reverse Acid Mine Drainage in coal mining areas, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has approved the Mine Spoil Areas under the Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)-PMKSY, being implemented on pilot basis in Mon, Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensang and Wokha districts.
Rio remarked that as a Prelude to the 25th Edition of Hornbill Festival 2024, the Tourism Department in association with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, successfully hosted the third edition of Autumn Festival at New Delhi and a Cultural Extravaganza Night at Agri. Expo, Chumoukedima. Also in collaboration with the Private players, Forerunners giving visitors a glimpse into the rich culture of Nagaland, Rio added.
Chief Minister Rio pointed out that considering the potential in piggery sector and the entailing challenges farmers encounter, the State Government launched one of India's first Digital Piggery Insurance schemes, implemented with the support of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and Tata AIG, addressing longstanding hurdles in livestock insurance. To ensure social and financial security for every citizen of Nagaland and to safeguard families from the impact of unforeseen tragedies such as accidents or untimely loss, the Chief Minister's Universal Life Insurance Scheme (CMLIS) was introduced in August this year.
The State Government has recently extended support to the first set of nine beneficiary families under this transformative initiative. Chief Minister, Rio urged more families across Nagaland to come forward and enroll in this life-changing scheme.
To promote Water Transport and Tourism in the State, Rio said that the State Government is pursuing with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways for developing Inland Water projects at Tizu-Zungki and Doyang Reservoir Dam, Noune Lake, Shilloi Lake.
The State Government has also launched several initiatives to offer viable employment opportunities beyond the government sector - The homegrown app-based taxi aggregation service URA Cabs, will provide tourists with a hassle-free booking experience and taxi owners with a stable and remunerative platform. Rio mentioned that the Nagaland Logistics Connect, a transformative initiative aimed at driving economic growth and empowering our entrepreneurs through enhanced logistics and transportation support, has also been launched.
Earlier, March past for the celebration of the 62nd Statehood day was presented by the following contingent, 1st NAP Bn., 5th NAP Bn., 7th NAP Bn, 10tinsh NAP (IR) Bn., 12th NAP (IR) Bn.,13th NAP (IR) Bn.,15th NAP (IR) Bn., Village Guards, NPTS Central Brass Band, Mahila Pipe Band and Nagaland Police Auxiliary Brass Band led by parade commander, Dy. Commandant, Akihito Sumi, NPS and second-in-command, Mhalezhunuo Chielie, NPS Dy. SP (Prob.) attached to CMS, PHQ.
The 62nd Statehood Day celebration was enthralled with special performances by Rengma Chorale, Tseminyu who presented the song titled ‘Ma Senyalo’, meaning Praise Him and Sangtam Cultural Group with the song titled ‘Vingving tii’.
The celebration also witness a war dances performed by Sumi Cultural Troupe, cultural dance ‘Sonkeng Jihang’ performed by Khiamniungan Cultural Troupe, folk dance ‘Phita’ performed by the Angami Cultural Troupe and a folk song titled ‘Bu Asho’ presented by the Phom Cultural Troupe.
(Temjenkaba APRO & Esuihangle IA, Siizo, IA, Maongtemjen, IA)
