MLA and Advisor Moatoshi Longkumer during the 5th General Conference of Central Nagaland Students’ Association in Dimapur on June 5.
5th CNSA General Conference begins today
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 5
While acknowledging the ‘power of possibilities,’ Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA and Advisor for Labour, Employment and Skill Development & Excise, today emphasised the importance of first confronting the truth.
As he graced the introductory session of the 5th General Conference of the Central Nagaland Students’ Association (CNSA) this evening here, at IMC Hall, Longkumer noted that young people today face a multitude of real, deep, and difficult challenges. Among them, he highlighted the pressing issue of limited opportunities. “Too many of our youth are held back not by lack of talent, but by lack of opportunity. Jobs are few, and industries are underdeveloped,” he said.
Despite these hurdles, Longkumer encouraged the students not to wait for opportunities but to create them. “Where opportunities are lacking, innovation must rise,” he stated. “Don’t wait for doors to open, but build them.” He urged them to start small, start local, but to ‘start strong.’
Even as he addressed other pressing concerns such as identity, voice, addiction, mental health, corruption, and frustration, Longkumer affirmed that challenges are real, “but so is your power to overcome them.” He reminded the youth of their innate ability to create, even in the face of limited resources.
He encouraged the student community to “dare to dream even when the world tells you to settle.” He spoke of the power to rise, “even when everything seems pitted against you.” Drawing from the inspiring lives of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who rose from a humble fishing village and Mary Kom, who emerged from Manipur to become a global champion, he asked the youth, “Then why not someone from an unexpected corner of Nagaland? It is possible.”
Longkumer reassured the young minds that they are “not too small, and their dreams not too big.” He told them the world is waiting for their voice, courage, innovation, commitment, and tenacity.
The special guest urged them to rise above their challenges and believe that from this tiny world of Nagaland can emerge leaders, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and pacesetters.
“May you walk forward with purpose, not fear. May you turn your pain into power. And may you always believe in the power of possibilities.”
During the event, the welcome note was delivered by S Bendang Aier, Convenor of the Organising Committee. A brief history of the CNSA was delivered by Limaakum Jamir, Administrator, Kohima Law College.
In his greetings, Er Mhondamo Ovung, Chairman, Lotha Hoho called upon the student community to reaffirm unity even as reminded that ‘united we stand, divided we fall.’ He considered Nagaland a second paradise, stating that we are really blessed without major natural disasters and calamities.
Ovung addressed pressing issues such as saturation of government jobs and the ongoing issues of the reservation policy.
“Why don’t we make our beautiful state better by creating opportunities here,” he asked.
Citing examples of small countries like Japan and Germany who are among the top economy, he asked the youth to imbibe the value of hard work and the dignity of labour.“So let us be true to our theme, the ‘power of possibilities,’ to have the dignity of labour.”
He called upon the young people to lead and educate the Naga society for a clean and fair election.Exhorting the youth not to be discouraged, he wished the CNSA success as they lead young people towards a better future.
The first session included the general secretary’s report from Anoka H Zhimo while Atto Achumi enthralled the gathering with a special number. Lanutoshi Aier, President, AKM chaired the programme. The inaugural session, the theme session and valedictory will be held on June 6.
