Ahuna festival in Zbto commences with inauguration of exhibition stall

Two-day Ahuna- the primal festival of the Sümi Nagas celebration organized by the Sümi Hoho commenced Wednesday with the inaugural of the exhibition stall of Sümi Ahuna 2013 by the chief guest, parliamentary secretary for women development, sericulture and cooperation Pukhayi Sumi at DSCZ ground, Zunheboto.

He was accompanied by MLA and chairman hotel management Picto Shohe. While extending Ahuna greetings to the gathering, Pukhayi lauded the Sumi Hoho for organizing the event and expressed his pleasure to be a part of the Ahuna celebration.

Pukhayi said that he took pride to be a Sümi ascertaining that Sümis are one of the “most influential tribe and torch bearers of the Naga society.”

He then called upon the Sümis to acknowledge God’s blessing and not to go “wayward” which he cautioned may lead to the collapse and ruin of the Sümi society. Lauding the participants of various exhibition stalls, Pukhayi said that Nagas particularly the Sümis inherit rich flora and fauna and urged the Sümis to make full use of it.

He urged the gathering not to depend on government funds, subsidies or easy money but to work diligently to sustain ones livelihood through the rich flora and fauna.

Lamenting the poor work culture in the society, Pukhayi urged the younger generation to cultivate the habit of labour which he said would yield “sweet results and self reliance.”

He also called upon the allied agricultural government departments to assist and encourage the local cultivators and varied local produce.

Altogether 24 villages, societies, establishments took part in the stall exhibition; each of them were awarded cash donation by the chief guest.

Earlier the programme began with an invocation by Pastor, ZTSBC Dr. Daniel Chishi followed by the inauguration of the exhibition stalls. Convenor Exhibition Committee Ahuna 2013 Zhekheto Awomi chaired the programme.

The distribution of wheel chairs and walking sticks by the Cherry Blossom Society under the aegis of the Indian Red Cross Society was also administered. Consultant and administrator Cherry Blossom Society/School for the differently abled person Purnima also spoke at the occasion.

Hosts of public, young and old, leaders of different walks of life, government departments and several others thronged the DSCZ to celebrate the first day of the two-day long Ahuna fest.

The grand Ahuna celebration would take place on Thursday at 10 a.m. at DSCZ ground with chief minister Neiphiu Rio as the chief guest and state home minister Kaito Aye as the guest of honour.

Host of cabinet colleagues, parliamentary secretaries and other Sümi legislators are expected to attend the Ahuna celebration. Other highlights of the Sumi Ahuna 2013’ are musical night and Miss Sumi Ahuna.