Mokokchung, February 17 (MTNews): The 60th Ongpangkong Mungdang General Conference was held today at Town Hall, Mokokchung, under the theme “Nüchiba Senso,” with Prof. Lanusashi Longkumer as the main speaker.
While delivering word of greetings on the occasion, Limawabang Jamir,Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, stressed on the importance of conserving one’s mother tongue. He further said that there are many changes taking place in the world today.”However, if we look closely, we are suppressed and highly dependent on others,” he said, and added that one should do away with dependence on others and urged the people gathered at the conference to revive the good values the ancestors had left behind in order for the society to progress and prosper. N. Bendang, Chairman, Village Council, Chungtia, also spoke on the occasion. Various reports of the Ongpangkong Mungdang were presented and a new set of office bearers were also elected for the tenure 2022-2024.
Ongpangkong Mungdang Office Bearers for the Tenure 2022-2024
1. President : Lipokmeren Jamir (Longsa Village)
2. Vice President : Lanutoba Imchen (Mangmetong Village)
3. General Secretary : Dr. Rongsenchiba Pongener (Longmisa Village)
4. Assistant General Secretary : Tekatemsu Longkumer ( Kubza Village)
5. Finance Secretary : W. Imkongnechet Ajem (Chungtia Village)
6. Asst. Finance Secretary : Limatemjen Kichu (Mokokchung Village)
“Nagas are highly dependent people”
A free citizen is someone who has freedom, liberty, and self-determination. A society can progress only if the citizens are enlightened and have a clear vision. This was said by Prof. Lanusashi Longkumer, HOD, Department of Geography, Nagaland University, Lumami, in his speech as the main speaker at the 60th Ongpangkong Mungdang General Conference, that was held under the theme “Nüchiba Senso” or “Free Citizen.” He, however, said that the Aos and the Nagas are highly dependent people with dependency syndrome which, he said, has brought about superficial development, disillusionment and disintegration.
He also delved into the history of Naga nationalism dating back to the submission of memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929, while also pointing out that there are some elements in India who view indigenous people as “backward Hindus to be assimilated.” He also said that the Indian constitution guarantees rights to the citizens but the Naga people have been living under military oppression since 1958 and cited several excesses committed by the Indian armed forces against the Naga people.
He also regretted that elections have now become like a great festival for the Nagas. “We are unable to distinguish between leaders and politicians. We do not have real leaders, we only have leaders who love money, power and positions with dependency syndrome,” he further remarked.
He said that in the past, the Ongpangkong Mungdang leaders have made a lot of wise decisions by upholding the truth and has worked for the welfare of the society as a whole. “We should all work towards molding and creating real leaders and citizens who are not dependent on others, but citizens who can stand and work on their own and we can achieve this if we believe in God and stand with truth” he concluded.
