Modern College, Piphema held its fourth edition of state level students’ seminar on April 3.
Kohima, April 3 (MExN): Modern College, Piphema held its fourth edition of state level students’ seminar under the theme “Nagas till the 21st Century: An Outlook into the Past and Contemporary Times” on April 3.
The seminar organised by the Department of History, Modern College was sponsored and supported by the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Nagaland.
Dr Rukulu Puro, Assistant Professor at Capital College of Higher Education and Chief Instructor at CUE Academy was the keynote speaker. Speaking on the importance of revisiting Naga heritage in the modern context, Dr Puro emphasised the significance of learning about the past. She mentioned that the Nagas were once the masters of the hills—fearless warriors, skilled artisans, and guardians of nature. Villages were more than just settlements; they functioned as independent mini-kingdoms, with people displaying fierce loyalty to their communities. People remained devoted to their villages, actively participated in festivals, worked diligently, and feasted elaborately when they could—that was the Naga way.
However, today, “82% of Nagas have lost their core values and self-respect to their lust for money.” To keep our culture alive, we must preserve our language, festivals, and storytelling. She added that culture survives when we practice it, not just remembering it. When we lose our culture, we also lose our identity.
Dr Puro concluded that the young generation has a huge role to play. She encouraged learning the native language, reading and sharing folktales, helping artists and finding a balance between modern life and tradition.
The seminar featured three technical sessions, where student researchers presented their papers on topics ranging from traditional Naga rituals and oral histories to the role of women in Naga politics. Colleges from across the state came to participate and attend the seminar. Paper presenters were from Modern College, Tetso College, Kros College, Baptist College, Capital College of Higher Education, Mt Olive College, Norman Putsure College, and Baptist College Sechu Campus, took part in the technical sessions.
In total, 27 participants presented their papers and the best presenters of the seminar were awarded to Kihitoli A Kiho from Baptist College and Visino from Modern College.
