\u201cThou shall eat by the sweat of thy brow\u201d, state chief minister, Neiphiu Rio quoted from the Bible while urging the Nagas to maintain work culture whenever they celebrate festivals.\nRio was addressing a mammoth gathering at Zunheboto public ground Friday on the occasion of Ahuna, a \u2018post harvest\u2019 festival of the Sumis, as the chief guest.
\nHe urged the gathering to work hard before going into festive mood. Calling for preservation of culture and traditional identity he said, \u201cfestival, we have to look behind what our fore fathers have struggled for us\u201d.
\nHe also called upon the Nagas not to allow modernization and the entry of foreign culture wipe away their rich cultural heritage.
\nRio who arrived in a chopper for the festival, termed the huge turn out of crowd as a \u201csymbol\u201d that presents the rich and colorful culture of the state.
\nHe acknowledged the different tribes in the state for promoting their culture and said that the government was trying \u201cevery thing\u201d for the promotion of culture and tradition in the state.
\nSpeaking on the Naga political issue, the chief minister said that problems in the society were arising as the issue was still unresolved.
\nAccording to him, the key to the reconciliation process was not the sole responsibility of the undergrounds, civil society leaders, NGOs and government but the mass participation and cooperation of the people.
\n\u201cNagas are one, we have to understand what the state government is working for the unity\u201d he said.
\nOn the developmental front, Rio pointed out it was growing but asserted that the first and foremost thing was \u201cunity and peace\u201d. He disclosed that the government had set up \u201cQuality Control Board\u201d to provide pure employment to the state.
\nEarlier, the chief minister also inaugurated the District Level Sports Complex, Zunheboto.
\nPresident Sumi Hoho, Hokishe Yepthomi while extending Ahuna greetings to all the well wishers praised the chief minister as a capable leader to lead the people.
\nRio was accompanied by a host of ministers, MLAs and parliamentary secretaries including, minister for health and family welfare, Azo; minister for planning and V&AH, T. R. Zeliang; minister for road and bridges, G. Kaito Aye; minister for forest and excise and ecology, M.C. Konyak; parliamentary secretary for industries and commerce, K.C. Nihoshe Yepthomi; parliamentary secretary for CAWD, Torechu; parliamentary secretary for social welfare, Chotisuh Sazo; MLAs – Nicky Kire; Longri Temjen; Shetoi Sumi; advisor to CM, Z. Lohe; DMC chairperson, Khekaho Assumi; other officials and representatives from CPO, APO and various officers.
\nMeanwhile, according to an official bulletin, Rio while speaking at the Ahuna festival said that the state government had initiated the Hornbill Festival to safeguard the cultural heritage of the Nagas.
\nEnlightening on the replacement of Ashoka Chakra by a Mithun in the official logo of Nagaland, the chief minister said it was to show the identity, work culture, uniqueness and unity of the Nagas. \u201cThe logo is historical, significant and dignified\u201d he added. Rio also invoked God\u2019s blessing on the Sumi Nagas all over the state.
\nHighlights of the celebration included special presentation by Chuchuyimlang village, Touphema village, Dzulhami village, Longidang village, Ahuna display by various villages and colonies which was followed by indigenous games.
\nThe programme was organized by Concerned Citizens\u2019 Forum Zunheboto (CCFZ).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"