IMPHAL, Oct 14 NNN: The 2nd Senapati District Students Association (SDSA)’s General Conference is underway with the cultural and literary programmes held during the day to be followed with SDSA Vaganza Nite.
The Mini Stadium Senapati reverberated with music, cultural dances and speeches during the last three days with around 2000 students and various dignitaries converging together in the SDSA’s 2nd General Conference under the theme, “Collective Envisioning”.
While recalling the historical significance of the National Highway 2 (erstwhile popularly known as NH-39) which Captain Pamberton inaugurated in the year 1832, Mr. Ram Muivah, IAS, Principal Secretary, Works, Transport and Health, Government of Manipur, the chief guest in the cultural programme elucidated that the same route was used by the British Empire during the Great Battle of Khonoma.
It may be mentioned here that when the British entered the Angami Naga territory, the tiny Khonoma village fiercely resisted the mighty British force in the past. Ram Muivah assured the gathering that the status of NH-2 will be improved as the pending tussle between the PWD department and contractor for Senapati and Maram stretch had been settled. He assured better road conditions of NH-2 at the same time he also cited that the stretch between Maram and Mao has been considered by the concerned Ministry as the sinking zone. He encouraged the students gathered in the conference to have big dreams and be willing to win the big prize. While expressing his happiness over the confluence of various communities like the Kukis and Nagas showcasing their rich culture and tradition, he made a point that the time has come for both the communities to reconcile and appease with each other.
Quoting a biblical verse, “Do to others what you want them to do you,” Ram Muivah said that is the foundation of Christianity and it is the bounden duty for each communities to love its neighbors to live happily with each other. He stated when there is happiness, there will be peace, when there is peace there will be progress. Ram Muivah also challenged the gathering to be honest, sincere and truthful to retain the past rich social ethos and values while reminiscing his younger days when the paddy are kept in the field without lock but people were so honest and truthful that thievery was alien during the olden days. He reminded the gathering not to forget their tradition and culture. Memoranda have been submitted to the Chief Guest by the host, Senapati District Students Association and Senapati District Women Association seeking financial assistance of the multipurpose office buildings of each association to cater the various rising needs. Interestingly, the issue of National Highway-2 has not been mentioned in the memorandum of the SDSA which the students organization had spearheaded to improve the status of the pathetic condition of the said highway. Since 2008 various forms of agitations and bandh have been called in regard to the bad road condition of the National Highway -2.
Tongpang Ozumkum, Assistant General Secretary, Naga Students Federation (NSF) spoke on behalf of its president and lauded the SDSA for spearheading courageously not only socio-economic movement of the Nagas but also protecting the ancestral land and historical rights of the Naga people. He reminded that Nagas cannot take life casually but should be prepared for any eventuality and situation. He said that Nagas are brave, honest and peace loving people but when they are provoked Nagas can be worst. He asserted that not an inch of Nagas’ land could be parted at any cost. ‘Culture is our identity and it has no boundary,’ says Kuki Students Organisation Headquarter General Secretary Peter H.Mate in his greetings. He stated, “We are known by our culture, tradition and custom.” He said culture is our identity and it needs to be preserved.” He appealed the gathering to maintain peace, unity, peaceful co-existence enriching our culture and custom.
Many dignitaries were present in the occasions where various cultural dances were performed; Mr.Thangmeiso enthralled the crowd with his songs. Various students’ activists, student leaders, tribe Hohos leaders participated in the function. The four day long 2nd SDSA General Conference will come to close with a valedictory programme on 15th October 2012.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/general-conference-of-sdsa/