DPSU celebrates 25-year milestone

Speaking on the occasion, Pangnyu stated the occasion should be celebrated with a purpose.

He remarked that retrospection of the past, introspection of the present, and speculation for the future should be the purpose of the occasion.

Pangnyu also called upon the student body to adopt prospective positive resolutions during the celebration.

In his message, the minister exhorted the students to be humble- a quality which, he said, was essential for success.

He urged upon the students to be sincere, dedicated, and determined in everything they do adding that all educated persons won’t get government jobs but with these qualities success would follow in any field.

The chief guest further appealed to the Phom student community in Dimapur to contribute towards development of their villages back home.

Also speaking on the occasion, editor-in-chief Nagaland Post, Geoffrey Yaden noted that attaining 25 years was a historic occasion-a milestone.

He however reminded that even 50 years could be attained  by sitting and doing little and would be unfruitful in the absence of any progress.

Yaden also mentioned that values and traditions in Naga society had undergone drastic change since Nagaland attained statehood in 1963. He reminisced about how the Naga pioneers in the political and  administrative fields  gave their everything even if most did not possess high educational qualification. He said Nagas in the early decades lived in harmony as they upheld traditional values of  integrity, humility, unity, hard work and  self-reliance. He also exhorted the students that the path to achieving big dreams was through small and humble beginnings pursued  with discipline, dedication, and perseverance.

However, he lamented that despite modernity today  Nagas were living in an utter state of dependency. “We’ve lost the spirit of independence,” he said and in this regard  called for a transformation from being   dependent to being self dependent. 

Yaden said today while the call for unity was loud, the direction being taken was just the opposite where some Nagas have grouped as a people of a region or some forming tribal alliances . 

He maintained that genuine unity can come only through Christ. 

On the current system of education vis-à-vis students in the state, the guest of honour remarked that despite having more than 80% literacy rate Naga students were not doing well in many fields. Lack of competitive spirit  and wasting time in unprofitable pursuits has been a factor he said. Yaden encouraged youth seek learning beyond classroom such as in development of skills.   

In his concluding remark, Yaden urged upon the DPSU to incorporate skill development in their activities saying “if you’re skilled you can fit anywhere.”

Short speeches were also delivered by president Phom Students’ Conference D. Hongkam, president Dimapur Phom Union A. Pongshi, president Eastern Naga Students’ Union Dimapur Stephen Chang and exhortation by first general secretary of DPSU N.T. Thamlong.

Earlier, the function started with invocation by Pastor Phom Baptist Attoi Dimapur C. Hamba Namdekly and welcome address by president DPSU N. Pahen.

Theme song and special song were presented by DPSU and Dimapur Kangching Students’ Union respectively.

Recognition of former office bearers was conducted by secretary Jubilee Planning Committee L. Takotemjen.

Later, vote of thanks was said by chairman Jubilee Planning Committee S. Chnaglei Angh.

The function culminated with closing prayer by Pastor, Signal Phom Baptist Attoi Dauyan.

To mark the occasion, a special event of music, dance, comedy, and cultural showcase called “Colours of Horizon” was organised after the formal function which was graced by special guest Dr. Anungla Imdong Phom, joint director DUDA.

Popular musician Tali Angh made a special appearance.