Mokokchung, January 3 (MTNews): Despite earlier reports that the New Year’s Eve celebration had been cancelled, Mokokchung welcomed the New Year in the “traditional Mokokchung fashion” at Police Point, as it does every year. Since 1972. However, this time, the celebration took on a new significance as it turned out to be about preserving Mokokchung’s tradition and legacy.
50 years ago, the New Year’s Eve celebration was held in Mokokchung Town in 1972 for the first time. Seasonal Club organized the celebration with the blessings of the Mokokchung Town Baptist Church, and ever since, the citizens of Mokokchung town have been celebrating New Year’s Eve at Police Point, the town square.
The New Year’s Eve event eventually became a “tradition” in Mokokchung over the years and without it, the festive season is considered incomplete.
As a result, when initial reports stated that the event had been cancelled due to a lack of funding, some concerned citizens of the town jumped at the chance to organize the event themselves.
They approached the competent authorities for organizing the event on December 27 seeking permission which was granted. Following that, they launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for the event, which was met with a resounding success.
“As collective custodians of the history, legacy and heritage of the town, and as stakeholders of a shared future, we the concerned citizens of Mokokchung Town organized the New Year’s Eve Celebration to keep Mokokchung’s tradition alive,” one of the organizers said.
The celebration was held at the quintessential venue, the town square, with various artists adding the New Year’s Eve vibes to the night. The event’s performers included Noktitong Ozukum, Imkumla, Stereo Groove band, saxophonist Sanen Imsong, MIIMBIT, Narola Jathi, Dümchak band, and DJ MS Longkumer.
As part of the celebration, the organizers also felicitated the Seasonal Club and the Mokokchung Town Baptist Church for “giving forth a hallmark of tradition to Mokokchung.” Six of the members of Seasonal Club also attended the event where the club’s first president MB Longkumer and their current president Apong Pongen exhorted the gathering.
Pastor of Mokokchung Town Baptist Church, Rev. Ponen Longchar also delivered a brief speech. President of Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), Tsukti Longkumer also delivered an exhortation on “envisioning Mokokchung beyond 2022” while Shilula Imchen, Associate Pastor, MTBA pronounced the invocation. The celebration was led by Arenla Lemtur as the emcee who also led the mammoth crowd in the countdown to the New Year.
A number of well-wishers donated in cash and kind for organizing the event. Further, the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) also pledged an amount of rupees one lakh as “seed money” for organizing the event in the future.
The organizers also ensured “post event cleanup” of the venue with the objective of disseminating the message of keeping Mokokchung town clean.
MCCI pledge Rs. 1 Lakh for New Year’s Eve tradition
The Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) is pleased to learn that the citizens of Mokokchung have come together in unison to celebrate the New Year’s Eve 2022, a tradition that began 50 years ago in 1972.
MCCI appreciates the citizens of Mokokchung for upholding this novel tradition not only because it is a celebration of inclusiveness, pluralism and cheerfulness, but also because it is the one time of the year when the people of Mokokchung – of all ages, races, creed and faith – come together to celebrate the idea of Mokokchung, envisioning a better, brighter and stronger town we all call home.
To ensure that this tradition is not broken, never threatened and always upheld, the MCCI hereby pledges an amount of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh) as seed money to organize New Year’s Eve in Mokokchung in the coming years.
We also call upon all stakeholders to come forward and contribute towards this common heritage of ours.