Commemorating the World Veterinary day 2026, Nagaland Veterinarians’ Association organised a workshop on the theme ‘Veterinarians: Guardian of Food and Health’ sponsored by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Nagaland at de Oriental Grand, Kohima on 25th April 2026.
Special Guest, Secretary, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and Tribal Affairs, Angelina Tajen, IAS said the theme chosen, ‘Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health’, could not be more relevant for Nagaland, and stated that the word guardian in the theme, means to anticipates, prevents, and protect Food and Health, which is the job of every veterinarian. She said that Veterinarian guard our livelihood and as for a farmer, an animal is not just livestock but it is also a bank account, a child's education, a daughter's wedding therefore one outbreak can push a household into debt, hence a veterinarian intervention can ensure that the livestock are protected, the food chain is not contaminated. The deworming cans, artificial insemination services, and farmer training are direct poverty alleviation programs for a farmer, she added.
She also cautioned that the next decade will be a test, as Climate change will shift disease patterns, where consumers will demand safer, traceable food. The government will expect one health delivery, not just animal treatment. Therefore, the need to upgrade the skills, knowledge and tools is a must and urged them to be guardians who constantly evolve, learn new skills, adopt new technologies, keeping the old compassion way.
Tajen opined that if awareness can be spread out to educational institutions, sensitize the students about the zoonotic diseases, about one health concept and the vaccination drives in border areas etc.
She also suggested streamlining and filling of vacant posts, setting up mobile veterinary units in every district, establishing cold chains for vaccines, upgrading infrastructure and equipment in all QCPs and digital tools for disease reporting.
Stressing that the work of veterinarians is often invisible because their work is mostly preventive, she asserted that all the veterinarians represent thousands and serve without applause. She suggested commemorating such an event to set an award for excellence in recognition of those veterinarians who relentlessly serve, and also acknowledged them for their services, pointing out that because of them, a child drinks safe milk, and a family income survived. The word epidemic must be contained instead of becoming a headline, she added.
Later in the workshop, Assistant Professor, Dr. Raghubir Singh spoke on the topic Veterinarians: Guardian of Food and Health and Reaffirmation of the Veterinarian’s Oath led by the President, Nagaland Veterinarians’ Association, Dr. K.N Zubemo Humtsoe.
(Siizo Kikhi IA)
