Dimapur, 25 February (MTNews):The “Youth Conclave cum Cultural Fest,” organized by the Linguistic Minority Forum of Nagaland (LMFN) on February 22 and 23 at Lions Auditorium, Dimapur, was a resounding success with exchange of valued suggestions and ideas along with rich cultural exchange, LMFN general secretary Kabir Choudhury said in a press release.
The event commenced with the unfurling of the national flag by Chief Guest Dr SC Jamir, followed by a soul-stirring rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ by Sonali Lodh & Group. The traditional lamp-lighting ceremony was conducted by esteemed special guests, including Dr SC Jamir, former Chief Minister of Nagaland and Governor of four states; Sushmita Dev, MP Rajya Sabha; Dr Chumben Murry, Advisor to the CM of Nagaland; Shiladitya Dev, Chairman of Assam Linguistic Minority Development Board and former MLA, Assam; Captain (Retd) Hekiye Sema, Social Worker; and Sushit Choudhury, President of Meghalaya Linguistic Minority Development Forum; and Ralanthung Yanthan, former Deputy Speaker, Nagaland.
In his presidential speech, Bishnu Bhattacharjee, Founder Chairman of LMFN, emphasized the organization’s commitment to providing a platform for Non-Naga permanent citizens to work toward the welfare and development of the state. He encouraged community leaders to nominate representatives for the forum to address issues related to peaceful coexistence and progress. LMFN also announced plans to publish a magazine documenting the contributions of Non-Nagas in Nagaland, urging leaders to submit historical accounts with evidence for inclusion.
The conclave focused on unity, empowerment, and cultural exchange, with speakers such as Dr SC Jamir advocating for peace, inclusiveness, and the preservation of fundamental rights for all citizens. Shiladitya Dev suggested that the Nagaland government establish a Linguistic Minority Welfare Board to support communities, similar to Assam. Sushmita Dev and Chumben Murry highlighted the importance of education, skill development, and peaceful coexistence.
A major highlight of the fest was the cultural performances that showcased the rich diversity of various communities. Traditional dances and cultural displays from Gorkha, Bengali, Manipuri, Assamese, South Indian, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Bihari, and Odia communities enthralled the audience. Notably, renowned Gorkha singer Suraj Gautam performed special traditional songs, while Kaniska Bhattacharjee’s live art on “Unity in Diversity” captivated attendees.
Other speakers from various organizations and communities included Chandu Agarwal, Rajesh Sethi, Dr Arihant Jain, Ahidur Rahaman, Omprakash Sethi, Adv Yoginder Gupta, Ganesh Sharma, Prateek Dutta, Jahir Uddin, Manjur Alam, Deepankar Sarkar, Sumid Sonar, Raja Debnath, Arijit Sharma, Deepak Chetri, Kabir Ahmed Choudhury, and Anand Gurung.
The event was hosted by Pooja Das Paul, with co-hosts Pompy Sakrar, Priya Bhattacharjee, and Rishav Poddar. Roshan BK chaired the closing ceremony on February 23, which included speeches by community leaders and a closing note from LMFN Chairman Bhattacharjee. Event Convenor Arijit Sharma extended gratitude to all participants, and appreciation certificates were distributed to youth leaders and contributors, marking a memorable conclusion to the festival.