Zeliang unit of Dimapur performing a traditional folk dance at the golden jubilee programme held at the Dimapur District Sports Complex (DDSC) stadium on November 5. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 5
The Tenyimi Union Dimapur (TUD) celebrated its golden jubilee on the theme “Envisioning Legacy” at the Dimapur District Sports Complex (DDSC) stadium on November 5.
The deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang, in his address as the co-host, congratulated the TUD for the milestone achievement stating the TUD was “the torch of the Tenyimi community.”
‘This milestone is not only a celebration of 50 years of its formation but also a moment to reflect the shared history and brotherhood of the Tenyimi community,’ Zeliang stated.
At the same time, Zeliang stated that unity should not merely be symbolic but should be based on the foundation of preserving our identity, strengthening our voice and advancing our collective development.
He encouraged the union to uphold the spirit of brotherhood that has defined the Tenyimi community since time immoral and move forward with a renewed purpose and understanding.
The president of Ura Academy and former Chief Minister of Nagaland, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, in his brief speech, addressed the significance and the achievements of Tenyidie, which is a Tibeto-Burman language of the Bodo-Naga sub-group.
Further, Liezietsu said that the academy envisions to document languages and authenticating every aspect of Naga ancestral life in general and also of the Tenyimia group in particular.
At the same time, Liezietsu informed that the Ura Academy applied for the inclusion of Tenyidie in the 8th schedule of the constitution of India in 2002 and that the National Language Committe has shortlisted ‘Tenyidie’ as one of the 38 languages.
The president of the Tenyimi Peoples' Organisation (TPO), Timikha Koza, called upon the gathering to preserve the Tenyimi culture by speaking to each other in Tenyidie instead of shying away from speaking our own dialects.
Koza claimed that the old generations of the Tenyimi community spoke fluent Tenyidie whereas the new generation does not want to talk or speak in Tenyidie.
Koza asked if that was helpful to the Tenyimi community and urged everyone to rededicate themselves in preserving the Tenyidie language.
The president of TUD, M John Kape, in his address, stated that the union was formed in 1975 with 11 Naga tribes namely Angami, Chakhesang, Inpui, Mao, Maram, Pochury, Poumai, Rengma, Rongmei, Thangal and Zeliang.
Kape expressed gratitude to the former members of the union stating that the success of the jubilee celebration was the result of the continued efforts of the men and women of the Tenyimi community.
The programme was marked with celebration and performances of folk song by the Chakhesang unit and folk dance by Zeliang unit.
General Secretary of TUD, Anilo Rengma, said the words of gratitude for the successful programme marking the end of the golden jubilee celebration.
