President urges Naga women to get more involved in public life

Says Nagaland today stands for peace and prosperity, dialogue and development

Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 3

President of India, Droupadi Murmu today urged the women of Nagaland to come forward and get more involved in public life.

“If women are empowered, there is more development in society. Women lead with empathy, with care and they will give a new dimension to the development journey of Nagaland,” she said while addressing a civic reception organized by the State Government in her honour at Capital Cultural Hall Kohima.

She also congratulated Phangnon Konyak on becoming the first woman to be elected to the Rajya Sabha from Nagaland.

Murmu said that the literacy rate among women in the state, which is higher than the national average and Nagaland as the safest place for women in the country, has demonstrated the high respect given to the women in Naga society.

She expressed happiness that the people of Nagaland today stand for peace and prosperity, dialogue and development.

Expressing happiness that her visit to Nagaland coincided with the inauguration of various projects related to education, road infrastructure and finance in the state, she said “I am confident that these projects will improve literacy and ease of living, and boost tourism and the economy of the state” and congratulated Governor, Prof Jagdish Mukhi, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his entire team for the successful completion of such projects.
 
‘Towards a more prosperous & developed Nagaland’
Stating that, in a few weeks, Nagaland will be celebrating sixty years of statehood, she said “I am happy to note that Nagaland has made significant progress on various development parameters.” The President congratulated all successive governments and the people of Nagaland.

“As Nagaland completes 60 years of statehood, I urge you all to rededicate yourselves towards the goal of a more prosperous and developed Nagaland,” she said.

She meanwhile maintained that there is a tremendous potential of tourism in Nagaland. “The Naga tribes are known for their vibrant culture and rich heritage that exemplifies our motto of ‘Unity in Diversity’. Songs and dances, feasts and festivals are an intrinsic part of Naga life,” Murmu said adding that the Hornbill Festival has become a popular platform for capturing and showcasing the colourful and beautiful culture of the state.

She conveyed best wishes for the success of the upcoming Hornbill Festival.
 
Act East Policy focuses on overall development of NER
She said that the development of infrastructure is a key parameter for the growth of a state. The ‘Act East Policy’ of the Government of India focuses on the overall development of the North-East Region, she said.

The inauguration of several roads and bridges under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana today in Nagaland will give a new boost to the connectivity in the region, she said and congratulated the Union Minister of Road, Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari and his team for the completion of these projects.

She stated that the dynamic youth of Nagaland is immensely talented and creative. “With a literacy rate of over 80 per cent, the skilled young men and women of Nagaland, well-versed in the English language, are working in the IT, hospitality and other sectors across India. Providing the youth a holistic education remains the key to help them achieve their true potential,” she said.

The President added that the inauguration of several schools and hostels for girl-children, laying the foundation stone for Eklavya Model Residential Schools, and launching of the ‘smart classrooms’ project in Nagaland will give further impetus to education in the state.

Such projects were launched by Murmu at the civic reception programme today.

She congratulated Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda, the Government of Nagaland and everyone associated with this initiative for the successful completion of those projects.

“I am confident that the new treasury building at the Capital Complex will increase the convenience for carrying out government transactions and will provide better service to the people of Nagaland,” she said.
 
‘Nagaland is a land of brave warriors’
Stating that Nagaland is a land of brave warriors, the President noted that “the indomitable spirit and courage of the Naga soldiers has long been recognised as exemplary.”

The nation is proud of the brave men and women of Nagaland serving the Indian armed forces, she said adding that Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse and Sepoy Imliakum Ao displayed exceptional valour and fierce determination during the Kargil War.

She look forward to visiting Kohima War Cemetery on November 3  and pay homage to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice while defending the nation.

Murmu also stated that Nagaland could be truly proud of institutionalizing its traditional mode of local self-governance through the Nagaland Village and Tribal Councils Act of 1978. “I have been told that today the Village Councils and Village Development Boards are established modes of decentralised governance all over Nagaland,” she said.

Murmu hoped that there will be a lot to learn from the interaction with the Village Council members and the Self-Help Groups when she visits Kigwema village on November 3.
 
Lauds concept of communitisation
“I am also happy to note that Nagaland has introduced the pioneering concept of Communitisation with the aim of building a partnership between the government and the community for the effective management of the public sector institutions to improve service delivery,” she said.

The President observed that Nagaland has much to offer in agriculture and farm produce.

As about 70 per cent of the agricultural practice in Nagaland is traditional and organic, she said “Indeed, the whole North-East has the potential to become the organic food basket of the country. The good quality agro and horticultural produce of Nagaland has great demand in the market.”

“I am happy to know that three agro products – Naga tree tomato, Naga cucumber and Naga Mircha –are G.I. tagged,” she said.

The opening of ‘Naturally Nagaland’ outlets by the state government has provided a new platform to local entrepreneurs, farmers and weavers to sell traditional handicrafts and handlooms, the beautiful Naga shawls and varieties of organic products, Murmu pointed out.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/president-urges-naga-women-to-get-more-involved-in-public-life