The 61st Nagaland Statehood Day was celebrated at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza Kohima on 1st December 2023.
CM, Neiphiu Rio extending warm greetings to the people of Nagaland on the auspicious occasion and called upon to reflect on the beautiful and eventful journey and to remember and honour our visionary leaders whose dedication, foresight and sacrifices paved the way for our State's formation with special Constitutional guarantees.
Rio said while making all efforts to continue marching on the path of development and progress, the peaceful resolution of the Naga Political Issue, which has been the innermost desire of our people for a very long time still remains the top priority. Rio called upon all the Naga Political Groups, the Government of India, and other stakeholders to find ways of overcoming their remaining differences, and to arrive at a peaceful and early resolution of the Naga Political Issue.
Rio stated that to address and redress this issue of backwardness in Eastern Nagaland and some other pockets, the State Government, in 2003, had created DUDA Department. Rio further said that for the past 20 years the Central and State Governments have been trying their level best to remove the developmental deficits in these backward regions. Rio also assured the people of Eastern Nagaland that both the Central and State Governments are keen and committed, not only to continue these special measures to uplift these backward regions at par with the rest of the State.
Also commenting on the 24th edition of Hornbill festival Rio said that since its inception in the year 2000, the Hornbill Festival has continuously grown in stature, reach and reputation to become an event known and spoken about throughout the country, as well as in the world. He also announced that this year's Hornbill festival is being taken to the next level with the participation by the United States, Germany and Colombia as partner countries and Assam as the partner State.
Rio said the most significant and landmark event for our State during the 60 years of our Statehood was the inauguration of our State's first ever Medical College, the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (NIMSR)' at Kohima. He added that the MBBS Course with 100 (hundred) students has already commenced and plans for expansion and up gradation of the College, including construction of the attached 400 (four hundred) bedded hospital so that the institute will also serve as the backbone of the State's health care system.
Rio also highlighting on the new initiative in education sector is the World Bank funded NECTAR project, the Department of School Education has started implementing a comprehensive Education Management Information System (EMIS), has pioneered the Teacher Attendance Monitoring System (TAMS) through which teachers can mark their attendance, submit request for leaves and obtain approval, all through their mobile phones.
Rio said, a significant development in the area of urban administration is the passing of a new Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023 and hopes the state can soon have elections of the Urban Local Bodies, which will look after the affairs of our towns and cities, and ensure better and effective administration and development.
Rio opined that in our State, around 70% of the people are still directly or indirectly dependent on agricultural and allied activities therefore, the State government is working to introduce new technology in agriculture sector through integration of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence & Drones to provide farmers with valuable insights and guidance for informed decision making.
Rio said, the skilling of our youth and creation of employment opportunities, and bringing investment to the State has been central to all the endeavours of my Government. Therefore, initiatives such as the Bloom Bazaar in Kohima has emerged as a transformative force, generating employment opportunities.
Rio also said another significant development in the field of women and child empowerment was the launching of Women and Child Development (WCD) Control Room, Nagaland and the integration of the existing Women Helpline-181 and the Child Helpline-1098, and further unifying it with the Emergency Response Support System-112 (ERSS). Further, to deal with cyber threats, a National Cyber Helpline Number '1930' has also been made functional by Nagaland Police.
Rio said that the increasing use of drugs is a cause of major concern in the State, and a 'War on Drugs' has been launched by the Police and related Departments to combat the drug use menace. Anti-Narcotics Task Force has been set up in all the districts and concerted efforts have been made to disrupt the Drug networks. Rio invites the Church and all the Civil Society Organizations to join us in this challenging fight against drugs.
Rio also said that the government has taken a big step towards meritocracy and transparency in recruitment with the establishment and operationalization of NSSB to ensure open and fair recruitment of all the Group C posts in the State.
Rio said, a pilot project on e-Office is also being implemented in the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, which will aid in making office functional, transparent and accountable.
Rio also congratulated the talented youth and sports persons, who have shown their mettle in various fields of competition, and brought accolades and honour to our State on various occasions. He added that in recent years, our youth have had a fair degree of exposure and success, both at the national and international levels in various fields, ranging from music and singing to various sports, such as sepaktakraw, wrestling, arm wrestling, dart and shooting etc. Rio also called on the people to continue to promote and popularise our traditional games & sports, which are part and parcel of our rich cultural heritage.
Rio said, our economy needs to be broad based and grow multi dimensionally, so as to create more employment opportunities, and better quality of life for our people as a whole. We need
Rio also urged all to invest more in human resource development, so that our youth is equipped with the latest skills and knowledge in this fast changing world.
Rio also highlighted other achievements in his speech such as the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS), Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), inaugural of Level Car Parkings at Old Medical Directorate, and at NST Station, Multi discipline sports stadium at Chumoukedima, Nuiland, Tseminyu, Tuensang and Noklak and JICA projects etc.
A total of 10 contingents participated the march past of the 61st Statehood Day celebration namely DEF Kohima, 1st NAP BN, 4th NAP BN, 5th Nap BN, 9th NAP (IR) BN, 12th NAP (IR) BN, 15th NAP (IR) Mahila BN, 15th NAP (IR) Mahila Pipe band, Nagaland Police Auxiliary Brass Band and NPTS brass band.
Parade commander was Vikato Thonger Dy. Commandant 4th NAP BN and Khriesaviko Peinyu Assistant Commandant 4th NAP BN was the second in command. The programme was also graced by special presentation by 15th NAP (IR) Mahila Band finalist of the Indian got talent 2023.
The cultural presentation was also presented by Esther Dailam, Lam Grace, NSS Music Club Choir, Burgeon Society Chedema, Tobu Area Sheko Khong Union Kohima, PfushonZi and Benreu Students Union Dance club Kohima.
Neiphiu Rio Chief Minister of Nagaland launched Nagaland School Safety Digital Training Platform and Nagaland Disaster Risk Reduction Road Map. Chief Minister also inaugurated the photo exhibition assembled by Information and Public Relations Department with the theme “60 Years of Nagaland” at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza Kohima.
(Esuihangle IA &Thungti Chang IA)
