Correspondent
PFUTSERO, APR 29 (NPN): In the fast changing world, minister said health and family welfare, Kuzholuzo Nienu (Azo) said one has to be equipped with the forces that are being confronted as the realities of today, become history tomorrow. He was addressing the valedictory function of the 24th general conference of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) which concluded on Friday. “If one half of the modern Naga generation suffers from uncritical loyalty to their tribes, the second half suffers from extreme loyalty to their selves, which is individualism,” Azo said on Friday. Stressing on the need to practice positive tribalism today in order to combat the modern evil of individualism, he stated that individualists are opportunists and do not know their tribal identity until they end in a soup.
“This is the new enemy of our tribal identity,” he said adding that he was convinced that only the right spirit of tribalism can effectively tackle this new enemy which has come to stay in the society. The minister also stressed on the need for the government to harness forces of positive tribalism, so as to achieve greater welfare and developmental objectives. “The larger Naga society needs it to forge a more cohesive and vibrant system of coexistence and interdependence. We need to start thinking –out-of-box, to truly reach out to others, to break out from the limiting factors of negative tribalism and learn to listen when others cry out to us, to free ourselves from all negative elements that are keeping us from realizing higher virtues and values,” the minister said.
On health issue, the minister said without wealth, life becomes a struggle. However, he added, even with wealth, if one does not enjoy good health, life would remain a struggle and with sound health. Azo also expressed happiness on the declining rate of HIV and AIDS in the state over the last seven years as per the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) data. As per the ICTC data of 2010-11, 15% of HIV positive cases belong to age groups of 15-24 years and 45% between the ages of 25-34 years, he said and cautioned young people to be more careful and prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. On ecological balance and climatic change, the minister opined that every educated person should have concern and ponder upon such issues because leadership and education are of no use if one fails to posses any vision and concern for the society. Citing an example where climate change has been noticed by the people of the state, he pointed out that till 1980s’ the whole of Pfutsero town used to be covered by frost during winter and that it has become a rarity now.
On the other hand, he pointed out that Khuva river, a tributary of Dhansari river almost dried up in 2008 & 09 while monsoon was abnormally late and created a drought like situation all over the state in 2010. While citing the report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change on environment which predicted that an estimated that by 2015, the sea level of the Bay of Bengal will raise by 6 inches which would displace 24 million people from Bangladesh alone, he warned that there would be heavy migration towards the NE India for which he urged the people of the state to be prepared to face the onslaught of climate change refugees.
He congratulated the recent movement to protect the environment and bio-diversity spearheaded by the people from Tuensang and Mon area under the aegis of Eastern Nagaland Conservation Area Network which had covered a total 133 villages so far. Both the outgoing president Mutsikhoyo Yhobu and the newly elected president Kelhouneizo Yhome also spoke at the valedictory function. The conference also collected free will donation towards the welfare of the brothers and sisters of the Eastern Naga students.
Further the conference elected a new team of office bearers which would be headed by president, Kelhouneizo Yhome, vice president, Senhilo Thong and general secretary, Ezangthang.