58th Statehood Day celebrated in Nagaland
Kohima, 1st Dec: Nagaland today celebrated its 58th Statehood Day where the states level programme was held at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima. This year celebration may not attract tourist from other countries or states due to pandemic, various programmes held across the districts in Nagaland.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio undertook the General Salute and delivered the Statehood day speech at Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima. Rio in his speech said the people remember with immense gratitude all those leaders who by their sacrifices, farsightedness and determination ensured the creation of Nagaland state with special constitutional provisions as the 16th state of the Union of India on 1st December 1963. Rio said Nagaland has seen development and progress, and the quality of life enjoyed by the people has seen a marked improvement though many challenges still remained.
He said that the state government convened a consultative meeting on 15th October 2020 with all the representatives of all the Tribal Hohos, Civil Society Organizations, political parties, ex-parliamentarians and various public leaders on the Naga Political Issue. A seven point resolution was adopted unanimously and it acknowledged the sacrifices and contributions of the nationalist workers in the course of the Naga political journey and urged the Naga political groups to honour and respect the Covenant of Reconciliation and maintain the sanctity of non-violence in letter and spirit for a Shared Naga Future as members of One Naga Family.
On preparations for combating the pandemic, Rio said that the State government took every possible step to further develop and improve our entire health infrastructure. He said that the State Government managed to go from a State with Nil testing capacity to 2600-3000 testing capacity per day. The number of ventilators in the State has been increased from 14 to 145 and 110 departmental ambulances. There also has been an increase in the strength of the healthcare workers through recruitment of 109 medical doctors, 5 dental surgeons, 129 nurses, 6 research scientists, 6 laboratory technicians for BSL Laboratories, 10 OT technicians and 13 ECG technicians, and the appointment of 21 AYUSH doctors and 129 nurses is nearing completion. Further, a new Cath Lab has been installed in CIHSR Dimapur and a new Medical College is also being established in Mon, he added.
On the occasion, Rio extended warmest greeting to the people of the state and in particular, the people of Noklak district, the youngest district of the state. Rio exuded confidence that Noklak district will soon attain high level of development. Earlier, the event began with the Review of Parade by Nagaland Director General of Police John Longkumer.
Nagaland Governor RN Ravi unveils bust of founder architect of Nagaland Dr. Imkongliba Ao
On the occasion of 58th Statehood Day, Nagaland Governor R N Ravi today unveiled the bust of Dr. Imkongliba Ao, President of Naga People’s Convention at Raj Bhavan. Dr. Imkongliba Ao was the Founder Architech of Nagaland State.
Governor Ravi paid rich tribute to the founding Fathers of Nagaland and the leaders of the Naga People’s Convention and countless Nagas whose sacrifices created the state. He said Nagaland will always remember them with utmost gratitude. The Governor said from time immemorial Nagas have been a freedom loving people and had cherished freedom through centuries from interference in their way of life.
He however said this freedom came at a heavy cost. Ravi said the birth of Nagaland is triumph of the politics of peace over politics as of violence. He said Nagaland state is not a temporary arrangement. It is an enduring entity and Article 371 A of the Constitution is a sacrosanct commitment to the people of Nagaland.
He said all must rise above divisive, violent politics and embrace unity, peace and prosperity for the better further of our children and generations to come. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio thanked all countless Nagas who carried the Naga issue and acknowledged the leaders and participants of the Naga People’s Convention.
Rio also extended gratitude to the Government of India for recognizing us. On the occasion, 6 family members of Naga Peoples’ Convention leaders were also felicitated.