Mumbai: The Naga Students’ Union Mumbai (NSUM) celebrated its Golden Jubilee under the theme ‘Adapt to change’ on November 19, at Green Technology Auditorium, Mumbai University campus, with Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Sharingain Longkumer, as the Special Guest.
Officially established in 1971, NSUM is the apex body in Mumbai that caters to the welfare of the students and Nagas in general. For the past 50 years, the union has engaged in disseminating educational information, organising literary competitions, and providing career guidance, social services and welfare duties for the Nagas.
Addressing the gathering, Sharingain Longkumer extended his congratulations to the NSUM for celebrating 50 years of establishment. Encouraging the audience to take a giant leap of faith for a better future, he encouraged them to adapt to change and to develop our mental temperament, work culture and humility. He further shared his personal dream of seeing our Nagas as managing director in Bombay Stock Exchange someday. He also officially released the NSUM Jubilee Souvenir.
A short documentary film of the union was shown. Mr. Sothing Shimrah, Convener, Souvenir Committee, shared on the formation and history of NSUM. He attributed the successful collection of NSUM’s past stories and data to the members of the official alumni group on WhatsApp.
Ashish Chauhan, MD & CEO of Bombay Stock Exchange, also graced the event and spoke on the topic ‘The next 50 years’ and elaborated on how the ‘fire of technology’ has changed our lives, and how it would continue doing so in the years to come and would play a key role in creating wealth.
Mr Tokishe Awomi, NSUM President, delivered the welcome speech.
KL Chishi, former Chief Minister of Nagaland and the first formal president of the NSUM addressed the function virtually through a video message. He mentioned that he had taken the initiative to start the union in 1969 and shared the history of how the union came into full formation.
Alfred Kanngam Arthur, Honorable MLA, 44 Ukhrul AC, Manipur, spoke about how change is a must and that it cannot be attained by a single person, but it is the masses, in unity, that change history. He listed out 3 factors in nation building – Truth, Trust and Sacrifice and encouraged to apply these 3 factors and to never deviate from the truth.
Sunil Zode, Managing Director at Conaitre Group and Chairman of Indian Chamber of Commerce for Affirmative Action and Atul Kulkarni, Director of Eurasia Special Technologies, and member of the Board of Governors of IIM Shillong, were also present in the function and took to the stage to share words of encouragement. The Naga Students Union representatives from Delhi, Pune and Rajasthan also attended the event.
The program also saw a special folk song by the Mao Union Mumbai, a cultural dance by the Tangkhul Welfare Society Mumbai and a special performance by Mr. Somaya Rumthao. This was followed by prize distribution for the Children’s Literary competition, and acknowledgement and felicitation of the NSUM executives and golden jubilee committees.
Mr. Ningsang Jamir, Golden Jubilee Convener, delivered the vote of thanks.
The invocation and Jubilee prayer was said by Pastor Hamyan Phom of NCF Mumbai.
Rev. Dr. Jewel Azyamah, Pastor at Tangkhul Baptist Church Mumbai, said the closing prayer and prayer for the feast.
In the evening session, talented Naga artists enthralled the crowd through special performances, with Mr. Somaya Rumthao, Tune Up Channel (TaFMA), Miss Vinika Yepthomi (TaFMA), Miss Elle Kreo, Mr. Britto Khangchian and various Naga talents.