Two-day national seminar concludes

The two-day national seminar on ‘Identity assertion and development: situating Nagaland’ concluded here at Immanuel College, Dimapur Saturday attended by various research scholars and professors.

The session began with Vizolenuo Sophie, assistant professor, Alder College and research scholar, department of sociology, Nagaland University speaking on the topic ‘Need for empowerment women: Insights from micro-level studies’.

Vizolenuo said there was always a sense of insecurity and inferiority complex among women which was a kind of psychological trauma as women are often ascribed a position of lower status than men and added the extent of the gap between the sexes varies across culture and times.

“Women have had to struggle continuously for their identity as independent individuals in society. It is essential that besides enhancing their physical, mental and other capabilities, on an equal footing as men, they should be able to make their own decisions, have equal access to opportunities in different fields and be looked upon as ‘person’ and ‘not objects’”, said Vizolenuo.

Either by law or by customs, women in many countries still lacked rights to own land and to inherit property; obtain access to credit; education and earn equal income and move up in their work, free from discrimination, she added.

On a concluding note, she said “not withstanding constitutional provision, parliamentary legislations, legal provisions in favour of women’s status and equality, there is still gender disparity in every society, where empowerment of women is needed”.

Dr. Buno Liegise, associate professor, department of education, Nagaland University, Meriema campus, Kohima, Nagaland spoke on ‘Higher education in Nagaland: A critical appraisal’.

Historically, she said, the development of higher education in Nagaland was relatively young compared to other states in the country. But between 1980-1990s, 25 private colleges had sprung up to meet the growing demand of higher education in the state.

She also said the courses and programs of study available in higher education in Nagaland was less attractive or diversified as compared to what was provided in other north easten states.

However she added that one of the most urgent requirements to improve quality of higher education was establishment of an academic staff college in the state.
“The state cannot forever remain marginalized and underdeveloped and so she stated that teachers in colleges and universities needed to be more professional and committed in their respective field.

Tatongkala, research scholar, department of cultural studies, Tezpur University, Napaam, Assam spoke on ‘Putu Meden, customary laws and Ao women’.
Dr. P. Pandey, assistant professor, department of political science, Zunheboto Government College, Zunheboto, Nagaland spoke on ‘Women empowerment in agriculture- Need and strategies (with special reference to Nagaland)’.

Dr. Lungsang Zeliang, assistant professor, department of education, Nagaland University, Meriema campus, Kohima, Nagaland spoke on ‘Naga traditional values and practices related to women- their relevance in the present context’.

Sentisungla longchar, assistant professor, department of psychology, Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi university, New Delhi spoke on ‘Eriksonian identity: from the perspective of Nagaland’.

The topic ‘The properties of the mind and language development’ was delivered by T. Chandrasekharan, assistant professor and HoD, department of English, Zunheboto Government College, Zunheboto, Nagaland.

Sophia Besa, assistant professor, department of History, Immanuel College, Dimapur spoke on ‘Land ownership and development in tribal society’.
R. Bendangtemjen, assistant professor, department of geography, Zunheboto Government College, Zunheboto, Nagaland spoke on ‘Peopling process in Mokokchung District: Geographical perspective’

Charles Mhonthung Ezung, vice-principal, Immanuel College and assistant coordinator of the seminar also spoke on ‘Human Rights: Its violation in Nagaland with special reference to women and children’

Meanwhile the valedictory session was chaired by Lohrü A. Maheo, assistant professor, department of English, Immanuel College.
Dr. Benjongkumba, coordinator of the seminar summed up the seminar, followed by response from the participants.

Valedictory address was given by Dr. Chubatola Aier, former principal, Zhunheboto Government College and vote of thanks by T. Chandrasekharan, assistant professor and HoD, department of English, Zunheboto Government College.