Social Welfare dept bids farewell to Commissioner & Secretary

The Department of Social Welfare, Kohima, organized a farewell programme on April 1 at Hotel Japfü, Kohima, in honour of the retiring and outgoing Commissioner & Secretary, Social Welfare, Martha R. Ritse, IAS.

Joint Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Olemjungla, shared a brief profile of Ritse’s career, highlighting her journey as an NCS officer since 1991. Over the years, she served in various capacities in District Administration, ARC Shillong, and multiple departments, including Rural Development, Health & Family Welfare, Tourism, and Land Resources. She was inducted into the IAS Nagaland Cadre in 2002 and retired on March 31, 2025.

Speaking at the event, Advisor for Social Welfare, Wangpang Konyak, congratulated Ritse and expressed gratitude for her dedicated service to the Government of Nagaland.

Short speeches were also delivered by Alun Hangsing, Chairperson, Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights; W Nginyeih Konyak, Chairperson, Nagaland State Commission for Women; Tosheli Zhimomi, Director, Social Welfare and Bodeno S Colo, Secretary, Social Welfare.

In her farewell address, Martha R Ritse thanked department officials and staff for their support and cooperation throughout her tenure. She urged them to continue their dedicated efforts to serve communities at the grassroots level.

The event featured special song performances by officials of the Directorate of Social Welfare, Kohima, and a male voice ensemble. A prayer of blessings was pronounced by Deputy Secretary, Social Welfare, Angela Sophie, while Additional Secretary, Social Welfare, Yongchingkumla, chaired the program.

MT