Minister Imna Along calls for unity amid rising divisions

November 9, 2024 7 Views No Comment

Morung Express news
Kohima | November 9

Minister for Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, said that Nagaland is still struggling to position itself at the forefront of the nation.

He noted that people are grappling with issues of identity while divisions and “isms” among tribes and communities persist.
He made the remarks at the Diamond Jubilee and Annual Day celebration of Little Flower Higher Secondary School, Kohima, at the school premises today.

Along said that while the state united 61 years ago, it now faces a threshold where divisions are widespread. He emphasized the need for the community to come together, remain united, and focus on larger goals rather than be bogged down by current problems.

He urged the audience to consider the mindset with which future generations will grow up, warning against fostering “isms” that sow doubt and suspicion within the community. “If our community leaders are not inclusive or lack vision, we are a failed society,” he said.

The minister highlighted the importance of rebuilding bonds and bridging differences so that children can develop their own narrative and achieve satisfaction in life, even through simple actions, without the pressure to become something they are not.

He encouraged the people to focus on education, literacy, dignity, and accepting both mistakes and criticism. “Let us become a people who are not concerned with pulling others down, but who are hardworking and focused on self-improvement,” Along said, urging the community to take slow, steady steps toward progress with perseverance and commitment.

Along also addressed the growing impact of technology and the flow of information. “We live in an era of immense and aggressive information flow, and peer pressure has increased as a result,” he observed. “Children have so much information, and parents must be wise to guide them in selecting the right information.”

In the past, Along said, information took time to reach people, allowing them to assess its validity. However, he warned that today’s rapid access to information makes it easier for content to be manipulated or misinterpreted.

The minister commended the Catholic education mission for its contribution to providing quality education in the state. He described their dedication as holistic, transcending regional barriers, and praised their missionary zeal for achieving excellence.

Along noted that in remote areas of Nagaland, where no private schools are willing to establish institutions, Catholic schools and colleges have stepped in to provide much-needed education.

Kohima Deputy Commissioner Kumar Ramnikant, IAS, delivered a message, commending the school for its excellence in education. He highlighted the fact that second-generation students are now attending the school and encouraged students to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. “There is no ideal way of doing something; we only improve by making mistakes,” he said. He urged students to dream beyond their limits and explore their potential, while advising educators to provide the right environment for students to thrive without placing undue pressure on them.

Bishop of Kohima, Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Sr. Mabel Gothorp FMA, Provincial, and others also spoke at the event.

Presentations were made by students from various classes, and the welcome address was delivered by Principal Sr. Lucy Thomas. The vote of thanks was given by Vice Principal Sr. KC Monica.