In one of the first instances where the church has come forward in bringing theology to market place, the Youth Ministry of Aoyimti Baptist Church initiated collaboration between the Aoyimti Village Council and the Aoyimti Baptist Church to curb the burning social issue by conducting one-day seminar on clean election.
The village council made it compulsory for all the residents of Aoyimti who were 15 yrs and above and the church providing the platform to discuss such social issues.
VisionOne, according to Wabongtemjen (associate pastor youth) is about the whole villagers embarking on that “one vision wagon” towards oneness in bringing honest Christian morality to practice.
The resource persons for the event were K.Temjen Jamir, editor TirYimyim and Dr. Pangernungba Kichu, Asso. Prof. OTS. Dr. Pangernungba, in his presentation said today in Nagaland people were alive but the institutions / society are not functioning well adding there was no shared vision and common goal amongst the Nagas. He termed this state as “social death.”
The resource person also highlighted the prevailing “social cancer” — division, confusion, enmity, jealousy, mistrust and insecurity in Nagaland– which, he maintained, lead our society into uncertainty.
He lamented that culture of monologue not dialogue prevails in the state adding there exists too many versions of Nagaland that lacks shared space and common platform for Nagas.
Dr. Pangernungba further suggested forming a working team on clean elections and empower them to lead the movement.
In his presentation K.Temjen Jamir pointed out the “benefits of democratic election,” “ails & evils of election,” and who should be/ should not be a candidate. Jamir in his concluding remark urged upon the gathering to elect the right person so that good governance in Nagaland becomes a reality.
The event ended with drafting a strong 13 point Resolution to declare Aoyimti as a ‘Clean Village’, which was agreed upon by the house and a common pledge was signed upon by all the group heads of the village with the speakers and the public as witness.