Rev Picuto Yepthomi, member, Sumi Literature Board along with SKK officials, Sumi Totimi Loka college faculty students and others at the 4th Cultural Day on March 28. (Morung Photo)
SKK announces 100% scholarship for deserving students
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | March 28
Zunheboto Government College (ZGC) organised the fourth edition of its cultural day at the college campus under the theme ‘Culture consciousness through native dialect’ on March 28. The programme was organised by the Cultural Committee in collaboration with the ZGC Students’ Union (ZGCSU).
Delivering the welcome address, the college Principal Dr R Bendangtemjen emphasised that culture is learned rather than inherited, urging students to consciously preserve and promote their traditions.
Hopito Achumi, President of Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SKK), in his address announced a 100% scholarship initiative for deserving students of ZGC. Under this initiative, six aspirants preparing for competitive examinations will be sponsored at a coaching institute in Dimapur. The scheme includes two students each for Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB), banking, and SSC examinations. He further informed that SKK has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the institute to extend 70% scholarship support to other Sumi candidates.
Special guest Rev Picuto Yepthomi, member of the Sumi Literature Board (SLB), highlighted the importance of preserving the Sütsa language and Sumi cultural heritage. He noted that while the tonal nature of the Sütsa language shows similarities its meaning is different. He also stated that the SLB has published over 60 educational books and continues its efforts towards the development and standardisation of the language.
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Expressing concern over the decline in language use, Rev Yepthomi observed that society today can broadly be categorised into three groups those not proficient in either English or Sütsa, those fluent in English but lacking command over Sütsa, and a small section proficient in Sütsa. He stressed that the language, passed down through generations, is a vital marker of identity and must be preserved through active usage.
Tracing the history of SLB, he noted that it was established in 1947 under the chairmanship of Ikhevi Yesukha. He further mentioned that SLB, in association with UNESCO, has been observing International Mother Language Day initially in Dimapur, later in Aghunato this year, with the next observance scheduled to be held in Atoizu.
He underscored the importance of practising the mother tongue at home and encouraged community members to engage in conversations in Sütsa. “Our language reflects our identity through thought, behaviour, attire, cuisine, and folk traditions, it is our unique cultural heritage,” he stated.
Rev Yepthomi also highlighted that Sütsa has been introduced at the HSLC in 1980 and HSSLC in 1997 levels, with efforts underway to include it in the FYUGP curriculum.
The programme was chaired by Tonoli S Awomi, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics. Invocation was pronounced by Toboli K Yeptho, President of ZGCEU, while Leah Aye recited a poem. Folk songs were presented by ZGC students, and man war dance performed by the ZGC boys. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ayeto Aye, General Secretary of ZGCSU, followed by the benediction pronounced by Libo K. Awomi, Prayer Secretary of ZICEU.
The formal session was followed by cultural competitions including yodelling, spear kicking, fire-making, traditional rhythmic jumping, and winnowing. The programme was attended by members of SLB, SKK officials, and Sumi Totimi Loka (STL) representatives.
