Valedictory function of Naga Students' Federation general conference at Wokha concludes

KOHIMA: The 28th general conference of the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) held its valedictory session at Bhandari Town, Wokha recently.

Addressing the valedictory programme as the special guest was the State's Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton. Acknowledging the NSF as an important stakeholder in the development of the State, he said that it has been playing a vital role for the uplift and welfare of the students' community and the Nagas in general. The Federation, in its long journey as the premier Naga students' organization, has been confronted with varied challenges and in the course of changing times it has not only focused in the prism of students' welfare alone but has also made its presence felt in socio-political issues, and has also taken up many commendable issues of late, he added.

"The increasing presence of people of doubtful origin along the neighbourhood is a serious concern for our State in particular and the region in general," he said, adding that 'It is posing a threat to the socio-economic wellbeing and demographic existence of our people in an alarming manner; and for which the present PDA Government under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio is serious about tackling it."

However, the NSF and government alone cannot resolve such issues and therefore, a concerted and pro-active role of every stakeholder is called upon including civil societies to partake actively in containing the illegal migrants issues in the State, he added.

Encouraging the students' community to work hard in the present competitive world, he stressed that there is no substitute for it in order to achieve any goal and excel in life. He reminded that they will go on to become leaders in the society by shouldering different responsibilities of different capacities and so a platform like this is a good place to mould and develop oneself with all the requisite qualities for a just and fruitful future.

Recollecting a past event that Bhandari, the host town was a part of, he said that Bhandari and its people have been witness to and also a victim of the unfortunate confrontations with our neighbouring States in 1985, and although much understanding has been gained today for a peaceful co-existence through the initiatives of inter-State boundary peace committees and civil societies from both the neighbouring States, the boundary issue has not been resolved as it is in sub-judice, he said. "However, since peace is prerequisite for mutual growth, we must continue to uphold the peaceful atmosphere that is prevailing in the area till the matter is resolved amicably," he added and called upon the NSF and the younger generation to be actively involved in exploring peace along with the border areas as well.

A debating competition was held on the occasion. The motion before the House was 'The Naga political dialogue is in the right direction for a secure and just future'. The team of Mao students' Union was declared the winner while the teams of the Rengma Students' Union and the Dimapur Naga Students' Union teams bagged the second and third positions respectively.

The valedictory session also saw the election of new NSF executive members for the tenure 2019-2021, where Ninoto Awomi was elected as the President and Liremo Kikon became the General Secretary. Dieve Yano Angami was elected as the Vice-President, Suponi Ng Philo as the Assistant General Secretary, Kegwahun Tep as the Education and Statistics Secretary, Yimlanger Ao as the Social and Cultural Secretary and Rite Khutso as the Speaker.

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