Dimapur, November 19 (MTNews): Nagaland’s higher education and tribal affairs minister, Temjen Imna Along, on Saturday said that Nagaland can survive only when the 17 tribes are united. Addressing as the chief patron of Lirmen Students’ Union (LSU) organized “penalty shootout tournament” and hosted by Dimapur Lirmen Students’ Union (DLSU) at Dimapur Government College Ground, Along was also of the view that while “Nagaland has to change”, the people have to come together in order to ensure that “Nagaland aspires to be together” with the rest of the country and also the world.
Stating that the very meaning of life is lost when one cannot take criticism, including philosophical criticisms, the minister shared that one should not stand with those who try to break the unity of the Nagas.
“I am happy to speak in front of not only the participating teams, but as to voice to our people that united we stand, divided we fall”, added Temjen Imna Along and at the same time questioned why the Nagas are living divided “while playing sinister politics of dividing while seeking aspirations which can never be met when being divided.”
Mentioning that today the people are living in a fast changing time era at a trajectory which is beyond comprehension, Along also said that it is now a time when the Nagas have to “introspect and retrospect” how to conduct oneself for the future inclusive of the dreams and aspirations of the young Naga minds.
While also encouraging the youngsters to be “daring” not in doing wrong things in wrong places and in wrong situations, the chief patron of the penalty shootout tournament later thrust upon every Naga individual that it was high time to inculcate in their hearts and minds to live together unitedly. He also complimented the people of Japukong range villages, especially Lirmen village.
The future of a society depends on the enthusiasm and determination of the youth directed towards the right path, Along said. “Let us work towards a common goal for collective prosperity,” he remarked.
Earlier, the tournament started with an invocation by Dimapur Lirmen Tamang Telongjem (DLTT) president, Robert Longkumer. Keynote address was delivered by the convener, LSU planning committee, oath taking of the participating teams was initiated by LSU sports secretary, Aochuba Longchar, while the vote of thanks was proposed by LSU general secretary, Lipokienla Longkumer.
Winner
POWER KICKERS
Runners up
PROPER 5
Semifinalists
1) JAPU STUDENTS UNION
2) BURMA CAMP
Golden Glove
KEVIN (POWER KICKERS)