Former NSF President Y Vikheho Swu, current President Mteisuding Heraang, and General Secretary of Kohima Press Club, Vishü Rita Krocha cut a cake during the Pre-Christmas celebration of NSF on December 16 in Kohima.
NSF observes Pre-Christmas
Morung Express News
Kohima | December 16
With almost all Naga tribes having attained 100 years of Christianity, Y Vikheho Swu, former President of Naga Students' Federation (NSF) called for the need to pause and honestly reflect on the realities within our own society, that continue to hamper our progress as a people.
Delivering Christmas Greetings at the Pre-Christmas Celebration of the Federation at the NSF Solidarity Park in Kohima on December 16, he observed that one of the major challenges is the “lack of understanding and clarity concerning our daily life, our traditional customs and practices and our Christian beliefs and values.”
“When values are unclear, identity becomes weakened and when identity is weakened progress is slowed,” he stated, reminding that “Christmas is not about how grand our celebrations are, but about God's greatest gift to humanity.”
“Christmas is about God’s Love, Grace and Salvation,” Swu held, while underlining that Jesus came to bring peace, reconciliation and hope.
He further expressed that, “If we truly honour him we must forgive those who have hurt us, restore broken relationships, show love to the poor, the lonely and the forgotten. We must honour God through our kindness, generosity and compassion.”
Citing the long standing protracted Indo political issue, which has also been taking a toll on the Naga people, he emphasised that, “We must realise that one way to overcome all these problems and move to a solution is to exhibit our togetherness, restore back our rich Naga values.”
Stating that an organisation like NSF has always acted as the guardian and custodian of Naga society, Swu urged the NSF to act as a “think tank” to guide and shape Naga people to live an “upright life, to ensure fairness, justice and integrity based on true Christian principles.”
NSF nurturing leadership and unity
In her greetings, Vishü Rita Krocha, General Secretary of Kohima Press Club acknowledged the role of the NSF in nurturing leadership, unity, and responsible citizenship among Naga youth.
Stating that just as the students represent the conscience and energy of the society, she noted that the media also carries the responsibility of informing with fairness, accuracy, and responsibility.
Towards this end, she exuded hope that together, they would work towards strengthening democratic values and social harmony.
Further describing Christmas as a reminder of God’s love, humility, and grace, Krocha also highlighted the shared responsibility of students and the media in upholding truth, accountability, and social harmony, and encouraged reflection, healing, and living out the message of Christ beyond the festive season.
Delivering the welcome address, NSF President, Mteisuding Heraang highlighted Christmas as a season of peace, gratitude, and togetherness, and underscored the importance of upholding Christian values in personal and collective life.
“Let us come together to reunite and reignite the unity flame as we prepare to end this year”, he stated while calling upon the gathering to recommit themselves to welcome the New Year with the hope and commitment to unite the Naga people.
The programme also featured a musical presentation of “Last Christmas” by Münulü Tunyi, followed by a congregational hymn, “Silent Night”, and a mass prayer.
The programme was chaired by Veze Tunyi, Assistant General Secretary, NSF, while the invocation was pronounced by Kezhaletuo Yano, Associate Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Kohima.
A special performance was also presented by Mhonchumo Shittio and concluded with a celebration feast and extravaganza featuring Aseno Metha, Keziah Semy, and Alona Chophi.
