UKHRUL: The Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO) on Saturday marked the first anniversary of the Unity Monolith at Bonding Park, a structure raised last year to represent the shared identity of the 11 Naga tribes in the district.
The observance began with a brief prayer service, followed by a low-key programme where community leaders spoke about the purpose behind the monument and its relevance at a time of social and political uncertainty in the region. They noted that the Monolith was conceived as a reminder of the tribes’ common roots and their commitment to staying connected despite their small population.
CNPO representatives said the anniversary was an occasion to reaffirm that unity remains central to the organisation’s work. “We may be few, but our cultural identity binds us,” a representative said during the gathering.
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The programme closed with a simple tea fellowship, allowing participants to interact and reflect on the year since the Monolith’s installation. The structure at Bonding Park has since become a symbolic point of reference for many in Chandel, particularly for younger community members seeking to reconnect with their heritage.