Pfutsero Government College held its 43rd Cultural-cum-Literary Day from March 5 to 6, 2026 under the theme “Honouring Roots, Awakening Future.” Deputy Commissioner of Phek district, Shri Rhosietho Nguori, attended the event as the chief speaker.
Speaking on the occasion, Nguori called upon the college community to honour the legacy of the past. He explained that culture is not limited to dress or items on display but also includes beliefs and thought processes, which form a shared identity passed down across generations. He said the present generation has the responsibility to learn, preserve and pass on this heritage to future generations.
He opined that processes such as globalisation, urbanisation and modernisation are inevitable, but they also pose challenges to the preservation of culture.
According to Nguori, these challenges are often the result of one’s own choices.
“Our beliefs and behaviours today are often not based on our natural cultural values. Instead, much of our behaviour and mannerisms are shaped by what we see in the modern world. We observe it through television screens and digital media. As a result, our way of life is increasingly influenced by the glamorous world portrayed on screens. Many of us unconsciously set standards for ourselves based on what we see happening around the world. In such a scenario—where our rich culture and heritage are under serious threat—this neglect is not imposed on us by others; it is largely the result of our own actions and choices.”
He described the threat to Naga culture as serious, citing the loss of the mother tongue as an example.
“Today, when we talk about the threat to our culture, some of us may not fully realise how serious this threat is. But to put it very simply, one common phenomenon is that many of us no longer know how to speak our own mother tongue properly. The saddest part is that we often do not even make an effort to learn it. Instead, we prefer to learn and speak other languages such as English and Nagamese.”
He further lamented the current reality of performative culture, where culture is talked about and performed rather than truly practiced.
Appreciating the college for celebrating Cultural Day, the DC described it as an important response to the challenge of cultural loss.
The programme also coincided with the inauguration of the college’s mini museum, “Aro Dze: Our Story.” Nguori expressed hope that the museum “will keep knocking on our collective conscience… constantly reminding us of our roots and our rich cultural heritage.”
The Cultural Day celebration was marked by students competing in various traditional activities and sports such as yodeling, bamboo race and Naga wrestling, among others.
