Government has taken significant steps in playing the role of an active facilitators in the ongoing peace process so that unity and reconciliation and a final honorable, inclusive and acceptable settlement comes at the earliest, stated  Chief Minister, Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio in the inaugural session of the 28th General Conference of the Naga Students Federation was held at Bhandari Town, of Nagaland on 9th May.

Our people have suffered for too long and the political conflict has created challenges and hurdles for generations in realizing their ambitions echoed Rio and that Government’s agenda is the resolution of the Indo-Naga political conflict.

Nagas are at a crucial juncture in our history unless we live in peace and arrive at the political solution our future may not be bright. We should not only support the peace process but we have to make sacrifices by rising above individualism, clanism, tribalism and instead uphold Nagaism he added.

He also said that the federation pioneers had struggled hard and faced every obstacle through the most difficult times of the Naga Movement to every problems by braving the odds and established the federation for the future generations. Their vision to bring the Nagas together and uphold oneness and unity preserving and promoting Naga culture and tradition, fighting for the welfare of the students community and their concern for social issues throughout the times is laudable and he further acknowledged and appreciated all their sacrifices and contributions.

Rio called upon the students community to remember and honour all the pioneers who made untold sacrifices to enable the present generation to carry on the mantle with vision and commitment to continue to inspire into the future. 

Reminding that the youth and the students fraternity are the backbone and foundation of all societies in today’s world there is nothing that should not be out of reach for any individual and the single factor of merit should be the determining reason why a person succeeds, he said.

Speaking on employment and its problem, Rio encouraged the students community to have the right skills and attitude along with education to be able to find jobs, be it in private sectors, government sectors or self employment with the required skills which is the most essential factor to help oneself.

 The NSF being the apex body of the students community, it is one of the most respected civil society organisations and apart from elevating the welfare of the students and the youth, the federation has made significant contributions to the Naga society in multiple aspects and has greatly contributed towards the unification of the Naga people beyond man-made boundaries he observed.

Special guest L. Dikho, Minister PHED, Govt. of Manipur also said that NSF is the most important platform for Naga people which can contribute to the Naga societies in many ways. It has also brought Naga people together, ‘Nagas without Border’ should be our vision and future he said. And students unity is most important for helping to achieve a better future for the Nagas as a people.

The function was attended by G. Kaito, Minister Agri & Co-operative, Pangyu Phom, Minister Medical, Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor Horticulture, Tongpang Ozukum, former NSF president and Minister R&B, Mmhonlumo Kikon, Advisor  IT, S & T and NRE and other host of dignitaries.