Kohima: Nagaland Minister for Sports and Youth Resources Merentoshi R Jamir has advocated constant dialogues and deliberations among cross sections of the society to overcome the hurdles and to let peace prevail in the state.
Speaking as Chief Guest at Northeast Youth Festival and Cultural Festival 2013 on the theme, ‘peace building through reconciliation’, at Holy Cross Higher Secondary School in Dimapur, coinciding with the ‘International Day of Peace’, Peace Channel and People’s Forum for Peace, Dimapur is hosting the four-day youth festival Saturday.
Merentoshi expressed concern over issues and conflicts in the society, he said in the past, nations and kingdoms fought against each other to gain territories but today the conflicts arose because of differences and clash in ideologies. To overcome these differences, the minister suggested building peace through reconciliation.
Lauding Rev Dr Wati Aier, the Convener of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and civil organisations for their effort to bring peace in our land, he said it was through their initiative and blessing of Nagaland Baptist Council of Churches, positive changes in our society was visible.
However, he admitted that there was much to be achieved and done. The minister exuded confidence that with commitment and determination the goal of these organizations could be achieved.
He went on to say that the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland Government under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio was extremely serious on peace and reconciliation in the state. The government’s effort was visible through peace and development in the region, he said.
On learning that the festival comprises of youths irrespective of faith, caste, colour and sex, he said this kind of inter-faith and inter-cultural interaction would contribute a lot in building peace between community and nations.
Pointing out that youth comprises of 60 per cent of the country’s population, he urged them to perform their role and responsibility in bringing peace in the region.
Earlier, in his key note address, director peace channel Rev Fr C P Anto said peace channel focused on transforming violence to peace, irrespective of caste, colour, greed and sex. To win peace in Nagaland and in the Northeastern states, peace channel had trained 25,000 youth to be peace lovers, he added.
During the peace channel event, youths from various religions would sit together in seven groups for common peace, which he said was the need of the hour.
He further, told the gathering that peace channel would launch a campaign for peace in the society.
Solidarity messages were delivered by Naga Council Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, president pastor’s fellowship Dimapur, Catholic community, Hindu community, Buddhist community and noted social activist Niketu Iralu on behalf of Baptist community. (UNI)