CHANDEL: Sirti Thiimjiitam Sourkhe (STS), the Monsang Naga Students’ Union, began its 57th General Conference at Liwa Khullen village, Chandel in Manipur, on Thursday under the theme ‘Thrive Through Challenges’.
The Welcome & Introductory session was attended by Th Tommy Monsang, IT Officer, IT Department, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, as the Chief Guest; Dr Kh Emerson, Deputy Director, Family Welfare Department, Government of Manipur, as Guest of Honour; and Sh Augustine, Section Officer, Ministry of External Affairs, GOI, Dr Ts Borningthar, Casualty Medical Officer, JNIMS, and Kh Thangkin, Student Activity & Sports Officer, NIT, as Special Guests.
The programme commenced with a prayer by G. Wanglar, Assistant Pastor, Liwa Sarei Baptist Church, followed by a welcome and introductory speech by W. Phillip, General Secretary, STS. Rev. Fr. Benjamin Kodal Kaje, Principal, St. Paul’s Hr Sec. School, Liwachangning, delivered an exhortation, while greetings were conveyed by the Chief of the host village, Ts Michael Warkhudin.
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Post the addresses by the Guest of Honour and the Chief Guest – who emphasised the importance of Monsang identity and the need to cherish one’s culture and roots – a debate competition on the topic – “Studying outside the state makes student brighter” was conducted. Sh Rosila Monsang moderated the Debate and Ng Bengamshing, Pastor, Changnhe Baptist Church, concluded the first day’s programme with a prayer.
The second day of the Conference began with a ceremonial unveiling of the Conference Monument by the Chief Guest, T. N. Mannen IAS (Retd), Hon’ble MLA & Advisor, Law & Justice, Land Revenue, Nagaland. This was followed by a monolith blessing by Rev. Dr. Ng Molarhring Monsang, Director, Peace & Development, MBC. The inaugural session began with an invocation by K. Bosom, Pastor, Liwachangning Baptist Church, followed by an introduction and presentation by Wanglar Thiirtung, Convenor, Programme Committee. Gedion Kiirii, President of STS, delivered the Presidential address, after which the Liwachangning Dance Troupe presented a vibrant folk-dance performance.
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Solidarity messages were delivered by representatives from NESO, NSF, ENSF, NSO, ANSAM, and ENSA. This was followed by an address from the Chief Host, Ng Benithan, President, SUR. Sh Manglem Monsang, Former ADC Member, 11-Pantha DDC, Chandel, addressed the gathering as the Functional President, after which Rev. Alani Shongsir, Executive Secretary, MNBCA, released the official Conference Souvenir. The Guest of Honour, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, Hon’ble MLA, 19-Phek A/C Former Minister (Home), Govt of Nagaland, delivered a rousing speech. Another Guest of Honour, Professor Rosemary Dzuvichu, Co-convenor, Global Naga Forum, also addressed the congregation. The session culminated with the address by the Chief Guest. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ng Anthony, Former President, STS, and the benediction was pronounced by Rev. K. Kumar, Pastor, Japhou Baptist Church.
Following the official session, cultural games and sports activities were conducted, including a unit-wise Tug of War (Rhuw Ingki). The
Valedictory-cum-Cultural session of the Conference is scheduled to be held on Saturday.