Chandel: The customary and thanksgiving prayer program of Sirti Thiimjiitam Sourkhe (STS) and Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) Monolith Site cum Monument Park was inaugurated with blessing prayer by Ng. Johnson, Catechist HCCC at Roshangkung, Monsang Pantha village, Chandel on Friday. The program was organized by STS also known as Monsang Naga Students’ Union.
Ng. Gilbert, first president of STS, Ng. Vincent, chief Monsang Pantha, Ng. Benithan, president Sirti Ruh (SUR), Sapa Gedion Kiirii, president STS, Sanuw K. Sharmila General Secy, Sirti Sanuw Ruh (SSR) were the special guests and speakers of the event. Ts. Kothar, Ex-CEO, ADC Chandel, Sh. Manglem, Ex- ADC Member Chandel, Ts. Ngamtin, chairman, Sirti Eruwng Ruh (SER), Sapa Wanglar Thiirtung Peter, president Monsang Sporting Association (MOSA), Sapa Rd. Elly, president, Naga Students’ Union Chandel (NSUC) also attended the program among the galaxy of gatherings from Monsang church leaders, village chiefs, senior elders, women wing, social workers, club leaders and others. Student union representatives from neighbouring Naga tribes like Anal, Moyon, Lamkang and Maring also attended the important customary and thanksgiving prayer program.
The program moderated by Sapa Ng. Koningjoy, Tribunal General, STS started with an opening prayer by Rev. K. Kumar, Pastor Japhou Baptist Church (JBC).
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Sapa Ng. Hubert, vice president, STS, in his welcome and introduction welcomed all the dignitaries and guests for coming and making the day grand and special.
During the speech hour session, Gedion Kiirii, president STS extended special thanks to Monsang Pantha Village Authority for the generous donation of the land for the love and glory of the Monsang student and NSF in particular and for the Naga community as a whole. He also thanked all the general populace of Monsang and ‘special donors’ for making the 2nd NSF Federal Assembly 2024 hosted by STS in March 2024 at beautiful hillock Roshangkung, Monsang Pantha a successful assembly. The erection of a monolith to commemorate the occasion and inaugurating the monument park today would not have been possible without their support and cooperation of the general public and special donors, he reiterated.
Ng. Vincent Konishing, chief of Monsang Pantha categorically emphasized that the feeling of the Naga spirit is the main catalyst in making things possible including the generous donation of the land to be named ‘STS & NSF Monument Park’. He mentioned that it was during his tenure as the president of STS that Monsang Naga Students’ Union (i.e STS) got affiliated to NSF on 9th August, 1994 along with Poumai and Pochury students bodies.
Ng. Gilbert, as third speaker of the event shared some of his old memories, struggle and challenges as far as his contribution whether at the STS, NSUC and ANSAM level was concerned during his heyday in particular. He congratulated STS for opening one of the important chapters in the STS and NSF relationship and wished the STS team the best of luck in future as well.
Ng. Benithan, president SUR in his speech mentioned that after 30 years of Monsang Naga Students’ Union (STS) affiliation to NSF in 1994, the present STS leaders have created a remarkable landmark by organizing the 2nd NSF Federal Assembly 2024 for the first time among the Naga student community in Chandel. The erection of the monolith in March 2024 and followed on by declaration and blessing prayer of the ‘STS & NSF Monument Park’ held on 20th September 2024 is a historic achievement and is a testament of oneness solidarity and pan Naga heritage. The Monsang ancestral land is a part of Nagalim, he asserted.
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Sanuw K. Shrmila, on behalf of Sirti Sanuw Ruh (Monsang Naga Women) congratulated the present STS team for inking an important document in the annals of STS history and the monolith standing for glory and posterity, is a commendable achievement.
The main highlights of the celebration was the signing of the land deed between the donor Monsang Pantha Village Authority headed by the chief and his colleagues and donee STS headed by the president and his team along with the witnesses signatory from SUR, SER and two nominated elders from Rosangkung based on Monsang custom and understanding. Simultaneously, the reading of the courtesy letter from the office of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) with the subject titled ‘acknowledgement of monument park donation’ and appreciation words for such a generous act duly signed by Eno Medovi Rhi, president NSF makes the land deed a tripartite affairs and inclusive.
The customary and thanksgiving prayer program concluded with a vote of thanks by Sapa W. Philip, general secretary, STS and Monsang customary feasting locally known as “Sha Thangshii” prayer led by Ts. Ngamtin, chief, Liwa Sarei and chairman of Sirti Eruwng Ruh/Monsang Chief Association.
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