In 2015, during the quasquicentennial celebration of Mokokchung town, the Mokokchung Officers envisioned a people’s movement titled “Vision Mokokchung 2040,” which was published in 2017. However, after nine years, Akok Walling, Principal (Rtd), Department of Higher Education, Nagaland, lamented, “We have slept over it for nine years.”
According to Walling, Vision Mokokchung 2040 focused on basic needs such as roads, water, health, education, and electricity. However, he noted that road development has only taken place between Longleng and Changtongya, and even this was not driven by a people’s movement. He also pointed out that while the Municipal Council election held earlier this year was part of Vision Mokokchung 2040, it cannot be said that the conduct of the Urban Local Body (ULB) election was solely due to a people’s movement.
Walling, speaking as the resource person at the Foundation Day and General Meeting of the Mokokchung Ao Officers Telongjem on Wednesday, 16 October, at Sangtemla Multipurpose Hall, Mokokchung, said, “We are basking too much in the sunshine of yesteryears.”
Walling also lauded some achievements in the field of sports, particularly in badminton, where they have envisioned producing Olympic players by 2040. He further commended the electrical department for installing transformers in Tuli, Longnak, and two wards in Mokokchung town. He also acknowledged how progress has been made regarding the Mokokchung – Mariani road with Ao Senden choosing the Option IV alignment. However, he noted that there are more that the officers can collectively do and encouraged the officers to ask whether there are areas where they can figure out a way.
He noted that the Ao society tends to blame one another rather than own responsibility and urged the gathering to recognize each other’s contributions and empower one another. He also advised that humility should not be mistaken for timidity but warned against adopting false humility.
Walling called for a paradigm shift in thinking and urged the community to abandon “traditional dogma,” stating that holding onto it has been one of the major factors hindering Mokokchung’s development.
Rev Dr Chingmak, Secretary of the Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS), speaking on the theme “Empowering Community,” referenced the African proverb that says it takes a community to nurture a child. Dr Chingmak also addressed the generational gap between different age groups, which, according to him, has led to a decline in community engagement. He urged the gathering to find ways to bridge this gap.
He noted that many societal problems originate in the home and, ultimately, spread within the community. Therefore, he cautioned against normalizing corruption, lies, and other unhealthy practices.
While discussing community empowerment, he highlighted the success stories of ECS in Changlashu PHC and Mopong PHC, citing them as examples of the strength of a united community. According to him, in these PHCs, the community plays a role in interviewing and appointing doctors and nurses, as many doctors and nurses which the government appoints do not visit the PHCs regularly. By involving the community, healthcare professionals become more accountable to those they serve, he said.
To achieve such success, he stressed the importance of the community, including the church and students, taking ownership of any initiative.
Ao Officers to have a common platform?
Marsanen Imsong, President of Ao Senden, described the gathering of Ao officers as a “noble day” and encouraged the officers to work with truth and integrity. Speaking at the meeting, Imsong highlighted the October 4 gathering where officers from Kohima Ao Officers Telongjem (KAOT), Mokokchung Ao Officers Telongjem (MAOT), and Dimapur Zone Ao Officers Telongjem (DZAOT) met with Ao Senden where the Ao Senden suggested forming a common platform for officers from the Ao community.
Imsong announced that Ao Senden would host an officers’ conclave in Mokokchung to promote the preservation of Ao language, songs, and dances under the initiative of Ao Riju (Ao Academy). He requested the officers to donate Rs 1,000 each to support the Ao Riju and urged them to lead the community as a “think tank” for its future development.
During its general meeting following the Foundation Day celebration, the MAOT house adopted a proposal from Ao Senden to collect Rs 1,000 each for the Ao Riju Corpus Fund to support this cultural preservation initiative.
Er Temsu Wathi Ao, Senior Technical Director and DIO Mokokchung, reflected on the early vision of forming a full-fledged association under the Mokokchung Circle Ao Officers Telongjem, which had faced delays due to frequent officer transfers. He informed that this was the 14th foundation day of Mokokchung Ao Officers Telongjem.
He also noted that there is a current agenda to rename the Mokokchung Ao Officers Telongjem as the Mokokchung Circle Ao Officers Telongjem (MCAOT) to include surrounding districts.
The house, however, adopted a decision to extend MAOT membership to officers from nearby districts, including Zunheboto, Tuensang, Mon, Noklak, Longleng, and Shamator but without changing its nomenclature. Officers will be given the option to register in their permanent place of residence, while MAOT aims to maintain its current name but move towards broader inclusivity.
“Are Aos keeping pace with Nagaland’s progress?” asks DC Mokokchung
Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner Thsuvisie Phoji, speaking during the Foundation Day and General Meeting of the Mokokchung Ao Officers Telongjem (MAOT) on Wednesday, October 16 at Sangtemla Multipurpose Hall, challenged the Ao community to reflect on their role in modern Nagaland. He asked whether the Aos, historically known as pioneers in the state, are keeping pace with Nagaland’s current progress.
“Are Aos keeping up with the pace that the state of Nagaland is in now?” he asked.
The DC acknowledged the significant contributions of the Ao Nagas in the past, noting that they had once been at the forefront of leadership in the state. However, he expressed concern that the current generation may no longer hold that position of influence. He questioned whether the Aos, traditionally recognized for their humility and lack of pride, can once again lead the people of Nagaland as they did in earlier times.
Phoji recalled a period when the number of officers from the Ao region outnumbered those from all other tribes in Nagaland combined. He emphasized that the Ao community still has a higher percentage of officers compared to other tribes, but he urged the community to consider the future, asking, “What will be the state of this generation?”
Reflecting on the legacy left by the forefathers, who led and shone brightly for the state, the DC posed a challenge to the present generation, urging them to consider how they will carry forward that legacy of leadership.