A two-day Language Convention on Naga Languages was inaugurated at Ura Academy, Kohima, on [insert date], organized by the Department of Tenyidie, Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies (CNTLS), and the Department of Linguistics, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters), New Delhi, and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The event aimed to celebrate the rich oral traditions of the Naga people and provide a platform for Naga languages from different districts of Nagaland to showcase their diverse and ancient cultural heritage.
The program commenced with a welcome address by Dr Petekhrienuo Sorhie, Head of the Department of Tenyidie, who spoke about the importance of folklore as a reflection of society’s dreams, fears, and aspirations. In his inaugural speech, Dr N Suresh Babu, Deputy Secretary of Sahitya Akademi, encouraged attendees to reconnect with their roots, emphasizing the role of language conventions in preserving and protecting cultural traditions and the heritage of languages. He also stressed the significance of using one’s mother tongue to keep these traditions alive.
Prof GT Thong, Pro Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, expressed appreciation for the timely organization of the convention. He highlighted that Nagaland is the most linguistically diverse state in India, with 19 languages and 16 tribes, each with its own variations. Prof. Thong stressed the need to raise awareness, document, and conserve the rich linguistic and cultural legacy of the Naga tribes.
Dr Mimi Kevichusa Ezung, the coordinator of the convention, delivered the keynote address, providing an overview of the linguistic situation in Nagaland. She outlined the key objectives of the event, including ensuring that each tribe contributes a poem, a folktale, a lullaby, and a translated work to their existing literature by the end of the convention.
The inaugural program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Imlienla Imchen, acknowledging the support and participation of all attendees.