The 2nd day of Tsungkamnyo cum Mini Hornbill Festival was celebrated at Yimkhiung Heritage Pungro, Kiphire on 16th January 2025, with Advisor for Food & Civil Supply, Legal Metrology, K.T Sukhalu as the Special Guest and Host by S. Kiusumew, Advisor of Home Guard & Civil Defence, Fire & Emergency Services.
In his speech, K.T Sukhalu said Tsüngkamnyo festival is a time to celebrate community and the cultural heritage of our people. It is thus an apt time to reflect on the meaning of community and asserted that Nagas as a community have coexisted together through the ages and must continue with the same spirit as brothers and sisters. We must look to the future and think about prosperity and progress, we as a community must be the architect of our own destiny, he said.
Asserting that we cannot forget our history and tradition, Sukhalu said it is not just about our festivals, tradition attire and customs but our culture is rooted in the village ethos, an ethos marked by community, shared experience and generosity. No matter what tribe, all our festivals are marked by community festivals where everyone participates in the songs, dances and feast. Therefore, he urged the gathering not to allow false division in our community and appealed for bigger and stronger united Naga Community.
Sukhalu maintained that education is more important than ever, in this age of fast paced change, nothing is guaranteed. It is increasingly important to not only be educated and get degree, but one must now have technical skills to be successful or even to gain employment. He asserted that there are millions of highly educated people who will be competing with us for the same jobs and resources. Therefore, he advised the youths to work hard with determination and dedication. At the same time, he also advised the parents to instil in your children, the integrity and discipline needed for them to succeed in life?
Stressing on misinformation and fake news, he said one of the bigger dangers that we are facing lately is misinformation, while misinformation has always existed, it is especially dangerous now with the widespread use of social media. With artificial intelligence and malicious groups generating false information and facts we must be cautious about what we choose to believe and spread. A solid foundation of our knowledge in education will enable us to discern the real news from the fake news, so that we do not get carried away by every clip or message we get on Social Medias. We cannot be successful if we are easily misled, we cannot become leaders if we blindly follow trends and gossip, if Nagas are to decide our own future, we must be spiritually and intellectually strong, he added.
During the celebration Laji Luyanba, General Secretary, YTC, delivered the welcome address. Short speech was delivered by N.Y Choba chang, President CKS as Tribal Guest, while the Sangphur village and Tsuyola presented a special item. The programme was chaired by Rebecca Khiuphur & Runshito Yimkhiung and a Cultural item was presented by various culture troupes.
(Akhuma, IA Pungro)
