Ex-Servicemen League, Niuland District, marked the 80th Independence Day of India with a solemn programme at the residence of Nk (Retd) Hekato Sumi.
Dimapur, August 15 (MExN): The 80th Independence Day was commemorated across Nagaland with flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, and community outreach initiatives, as institutions and civil society groups reaffirmed their commitment to nation-building and the vision of a developed India by 2047.
NEISSR: The North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR) celebrated the Day with a clarion call to the youth to embrace their role as architects of a developed India by 2047. The event, themed Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat @2047, urged young citizens to blend patriotism with purpose, peacebuilding, and social responsibility. In his address, NEISSR Principal Dr Fr CP Anto redefined freedom beyond colonial liberation, framing it as a mandate for justice, dignity, service, and the common good. He urged students to become “professionals with competence, citizens with conscience, and leaders with compassion,” and stressed the duty of social workers to combat poverty, discrimination, violence, and exclusion. Assistant Professor Daislinung Sebastian Kamsuan linked the sacrifices of freedom fighters to the present generation’s duty to transform freedom into progress through education, entrepreneurship, innovation, and social action. The programme began with flag-hoisting by Alungsangla K Yimchunger, followed by the national anthem, an invocation, and the Independence Day pledge led by NSS convenors.
ICFAI University Nagaland: The ICFAI University Nagaland celebrated the Day by hoisting the National Flag at the university campus. The ceremony was attended by the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Associate Dean, Faculty and Staff members who gathered to honour the nation and remember the sacrifices of the freedom fighters.
IUN: The Independence Day celebration at the International University, Nagaland (IUN), commenced with Registrar Dr Roopam Bachhil hoisting the National Flag, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. In his address, Dr Bachhil spoke on the meaning of freedom and the duty of students and educators to build the nation through knowledge and integrity. Prof Dr Zavise Rume, Director of Vocational Studies, addressed the gathering, paying tribute to the nation’s freedom fighters and urging the youth to remain united, disciplined, and patriotic.
VCJ: Veterinary College Jalukie (VCJ) commemorated the sacrifices of freedom fighters and reaffirmed the values of unity, democracy, and national integrity through flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, and patriotic activities. The celebrations also underscored India’s progress toward self-reliance and inclusive development, with a focus on youth participation, innovation, and nation-building as part of the vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
EDUCEN: EDUCEN, a registered society focused on education and youth empowerment in Nagaland, celebrated Independence Day at the Chatteswary Durga Bari Club in Dimapur. The event brought together over 40 participants, including students, EDUCEN members, office bearers of the Chatteswary Durga Puja Committee and local residents. The programme began with a welcome address by EDUCEN President who urged the youth to draw inspiration from freedom fighters to build a strong, educated, and self-reliant India. The flag-hoisting ceremony was the day’s highlight. The national tricolour was jointly raised by the President of EDUCEN, President, Durga Puja Committee, and local children.
Rohit Chakraborty, Education Secretary of EDUCEN, in his speech emphasised that every citizen shares responsibility for national progress and called on attendees to protect the environment. The event also fostered community interaction, with members engaging students and residents on education, discipline, and active citizenship. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Vice President Ankur Sharma Biswas, and was coordinated by General Secretary Swaraj Chakraborty.
NCD: Officials of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) visited the residential hostel (Samagrah) at United Colony and distributed essentials to 50 underprivileged girls. The NCD team, led by Vice-President (Administration) M Biremong Yimkhiung and Vice-President (CB) M. Sapong Chang, handed over pork, rice, cold drinks and sweets to the inmates. The delegation also included General Secretary LK Peter Anal, Finance Secretary Medovie Koza, and Treasurer Hotoshe Sumi. The NCD officials noted several urgent infrastructural gaps at the hostel, including a lack of fans, absence of filtered water supply, and the need for repair of the existing electric inverter or installation of a power generator, stated a press release.
VWF & Lions Club of Dimapur Blue Venda: The Vivekananda Welfare Foundation (VWF), in collaboration with the Lions Club of Dimapur Blue Venda, celebrated the Day with children of Pratibha initiative, a VWF educational programme for underprivileged and dropout children at the Pratibha Center in Burma Camp, East Block, Dimapur. The event, held under the Lions Club’s motto “Serve the Future” and its initiative “Ek Kaushish – Nurturing Future & Inspiring Freedom,” was led by District Governor Dr Neena Dutta, President Lion Falguni Sharma, Chairperson Lion Asha Agarwal, and Secretary Lion Priya Bhattacharjee. The Lions Club donated stationery and food packets to the children, while VWF organised cultural performances, including patriotic songs and dances, and speeches on the significance of the day. VWF’s Sub-Executive Member, Sujan Dey, performed two patriotic songs. Dr Neena Dutta encouraged children to value education and build a compassionate society. Over 80 children, 20 volunteers, and 20 guests attended the event.
NCSU: The Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) visited the Jo Foundation Inclusive School on the eve of the 80th Independence Day. NCSU President Pele Khezhie addressed the students, encouraging them to uphold excellence in education and emphasising the importance of hard work, including manual activities. The school, which has over 300 students, including more than 80 children with special needs welcomed the NCSU team led by its president Pele Khezhie. School proprietor Daniel Thong, who is also Vice Principal of SCERT, received the delegation while Dr Asüno Thong, proprietor and Joint Director of Health and Family Welfare Department, gave a brief introduction to the school. NCSU General Secretary John Kath appreciated the sacrifices and commitment of the school authorities in promoting inclusive education and described teaching as a noble profession deserving of the highest honour. The visiting team was also blessed with a Hindi prayer by the schoolchildren, a first-of-its-kind gesture in the union’s history, according to the NCSU media cell press release. The visit was part of the union’s Independence Day outreach initiative.
Ex-Servicemen League, Niuland District: The Ex-Servicemen League, Niuland District, marked the 80th Independence Day of India with a solemn programme at the residence of Nk (Retd.) Hekato Sumi, reaffirming its commitment to nation-building beyond military service. The event, attended by veterans, families, and well-wishers, featured prayer, cultural performances, games, and fellowship. Isawoto Zhimomi, President of the Niuland District GB’s Association, was the Special Guest and exhorted the veterans to channel their discipline and leadership into mentoring the youth for careers in armed forces, police, sports, education, and entrepreneurship. “Retirement from the forces does not mean retirement from society,” Zhimomi said, urging the league to drive youth development, community service, and social harmony in the district. Established in 2025 under President Mughavi Kiho and General Secretary Khekato Zhimomi, the league currently has 84 registered members, though the total ex-servicemen population in Niuland is estimated at 300–400.
