75th anniversary celebration of Peren Township
Peren, November 16 (MTNews): Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio said the need of Naga society today is forgiveness and reconciliation at various levels. “This is also the prerequisite for a peaceful resolution of the long-protracted Naga political issue,” he added. He said this while addressing the 75th anniversary celebration of Peren Township on November 16 at Peren Town.
Rio stated that if people cannot forgive each other and rise above narrow tribalism, and if people cannot unite and act as one people, there would not be real peace in Nagaland. “Even if the Government of India and the NPGs sign a final peace accord or settlement, there will not be real peace if Nagas cannot act as one people,” he said.
Celebration of a jubilee, Rio said, is always a joyous occasion and that it is an opportunity for introspection of the past, and also for charting out new visions and horizons for the future.
Rio observed that Peren district has the prospects to become a prosperous and self-reliant district since it is near the state capital and the commercial capital, Dimapur. He also said that the new National Highway 129-A passing through Peren will provide alternative connectivity between Nagaland and Manipur.
Rio further said that Peren has fertile lands for cultivation and the district can become self-sufficient, and even export its products to other districts and neighboring states. He also mentioned that Peren has scenic beauty and a good climate, with a good potential for ecotourism and cultural tourism and above all, the people are industrious and hard-working. He wished all the people of Peren town a meaningful and fruitful celebration.
Former Chief Minister & UDA Chairman & Chief Host of the event, TR Zeliang said that Peren Town was established on 1st April 1947 and has since grown gradually with the change of time. He challenged the gathering to recall and give their gratitude to the pioneers of the town who had the vision to establish a town for the welfare of the Zeliang community, and not forgetting the Peren Villagers who generously donated their land for the town.
He said the establishment of Peren town has a very “divine and beautiful” story to it. “When an administrative centre for the people of the area was necessitated during C.R. Pawsey’s tenure as the last Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills, the following places were proposed viz. Peren, Poilwa, Benreu, Tesen and Tening. After days of consultation, in the presence of all 25 ancestral Village representatives, a consensus was arrived upon to establish a town at the present location,” Zeliang narrated. The Peren town population at present is a little over 10,000.
Zeliang also lauded the Jubilee Committee headed by the ADC who brought about a noble concept to make Peren Town an “Orchid Town” and congratulated the womenfolk of the town who contributed in bringing so many orchids to beautify the town on this jubilant occasion and lauded their zeal and enthusiasm to grow orchids. Zeliang also urged each and every one to continue to work towards making the town an exemplary one in cleanliness and peace.
Deputy Commissioner Peren & Convenor of the 75th Anniversary Organizing Committee, Vineet Kumar, IAS delivered the welcome address while a keynote address was also delivered by ADC & Administrator, Peren Town Council, Keyirangding Hegui, NCS.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by a host of ministers and MLAs.Other highlights of the program included the inauguration of ‘Naga King Chilli Fest’ by chief guest & CM, Neiphiu Rio which was followed by the 75th-anniversary feast.
In the evening session, an entertainment program was held with a fashion parade and Dreams Unlimited presentations.