President arrives state

SAYS Naga pride must be matched with hard work
President Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday said that the “admirable Naga pride must also be matched with hard work and sacrifice” so as to reorient one’s goals to match with those of the nation at large.

He was addressing the gathering during the cultural programme and dinner hosted by the governor of Nagaland Dr. Ashwani Kumar and his wife at Raj Bhavan Kohima.

Pranab said that as the state entered its 50th anniversary, it was time for the leaders to introspect and to put minds together and rededicate oneself to nation building.

The president added that the aim for the next fifty years should be for a fully developed Nagaland wherein the young people should be able to find ‘here’ the same avenues as in the rest of the country.

“To meet these goals and to ensure that Nagaland is an equal and contributing partner to nation building, the admirable Naga pride must also be matched with hard work and sacrifice”, the president said.

Pranab also pointed out that peace and security were essential to development and appealed to all especially the young people to eschew all forms of violence.

He acknowledged Nagaland state government’s motto which reads “Peace for development and development for peace”, stating that two sides of the coin is essential for human progress and growth.

The president also referred to India’s Look East Policy and urged the citizens of Northeast to actively seek business and industry in the neighboring countries and to be a part of the great Indian ‘Diaspora’ who were today transforming the lives in the country and also the countries that they were naturalized in.

The president was enthralled by performances of various artistes like Cultural Vibrants, contemporary fusion by Nise Meruno with the Zowe Madrigal, bamboo instrumental by Hojevi Kappo, cultural dance and song by Sangtam tribal women, Rabindra Sangeet by Chuba Jamir, song by Nagaland Conservatory of Music and Vande Mataram by Divine Connection.

Chief minister, cabinet ministers, parliamentary secretaries, MLAs, government officials and many others were among the guests at the cultural programme.

Rio seeks Pranab’s intervention
Seeking President of India Pranab Mukherjee’s intervention on Naga political issue, the state chief minister Neiphiu Rio said Nagas would remain grateful if solution was arrived at.

The chief minister urged Pranab to take note of Naga political issue while occupying the President’s office.

Rio said Nagas have gone through difficult times and were longing for permanent peace, saying unless settlement arrived the state would remain disturbed.

Also, the chief minister extended invitation to the president, his daughter and his family members and friends to join the Hornbill festival.

Visits WW-II cemetery
Earlier Pranab Mukherjee visited the historic World War-II cemetery in Kohima and paid his tribute to the war victims after laying a wreath.

After  landing at the Kohima Assam Rifles helipad, the president was received by Governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar and chief minister Neiphiu Rio, among others. He was given a Guard of Honour by Nagaland Armed Police Battalion.

On Wednesday, the president would be attending the convocation programme of Nagaland University at Lumami, Zunheboto district and would fly back to Delhi from Mokokchung.