Nagaland’s remarkable journey: A year of achievements and aspirations

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Written By: Abu Metha

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Hornbill Festival in Nagaland
Hornbill Festival in Nagaland | Photo courtesy: Abu Metha/Twitter

In 2023, Nagaland dreamt big, and dream big it did. It wasn’t just a year of progress; it was a year of multiple achievements, a year where Nagaland not only etched its name on the national stage but also stepped onto the global platform with grace and confidence.

Yes, there is a lot to be done, but every member of Team Nagaland worked as one unit towards our collective goals. Our citizens, especially the youth, proved time and again that given the opportunities, the sky is the limit.

Here is a thread – in no particular order – highlighting some of many silver linings. All the credit goes to the achievers. We are celebrating their achievements, and we hold up our heads with pride. Nagaland is dreaming big & reaching high.

Let’s rewind and celebrate some of these phenomenal moments:

Global recognition for Imnainla Jamir

Our pride and joy, Imnainla Jamir, has been selected to be the Global Ambassador for MasterPeace, an international organization headquartered in the Netherlands with a presence in more than 70 countries. A new milestone for all Nagas.

Faith in Action and Nagaland Mahila Band

Faith in Action smashed the Guinness Book of World Records. Nagaland stands at the top of the world! The Nagaland Mahila Band set the stage of India’s Got Talent on fire by winning multiple golden buzzers. An entire nation was inspired!

Padma Shree honors for Neihunuo Sorhie and Moa Subong

Weaver Neihunuo Sorhie was conferred the Padma Shree. Nagaland’s weaves, handlooms, and handicrafts gained international momentum.

Moa Subong was conferred with the Padma Shree for music. It was a first for the music industry in Nagaland and an inspiration for all Naga musicians.

Pride from the Halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan!

Sports triumphs at national and international levels

Nagaland won 8 medals at the National Games in Goa, which included a Gold medal won by Kitenlo K Thono in Pencak Silat. The Nagaland sports narrative is beginning to take a positive turn.

Nagaland’s rising stars in entertainment

Supermodel and new face on the Bollywood block, Andrea Kevichusa, won Filmfare’s Best Debut Female Award. A new high for Nagaland in the film and entertainment world. Nagaland’s Kenie Ritse was crowned Miss North East in Sikkim. Beauty with substance.

Historic win at the Asian Para Games

The first medal for Nagaland at the Asian Games. Hokato Hotozhe Sema won Bronze Medal in Shot Put at the Asian Para Games in China. Another barrier broken.

International recognition for Tetso College

One of Nagaland’s most progressive educational institutions, Tetso College hosted the Leading Together Dialogues, an international conference focusing on indigenous knowledge, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and other universities. International platforms at our own backyards.

Musical excellence on the global stage

The Nagaland Chamber Choir won two Gold medals at the World Choir Games in South Korea. Does it get higher than this? The Sunshine Orchestra, under music maestro AR Rahman and mentored by TaFMA comprising of children from Kohima Orphanage & Destitute Home, performed alongside renowned musicians at the International Concert for Friendship in Chennai. They also became the first from this part of the world to perform at 35,000 feet in the sky. The limit is beyond the skies!

Chairman of Task Force for Music & Arts (TAFMA) Theja Meru was invited to speak as a resource person at the WOMEX – Worldwide Music Expo in Spain – the biggest in the industry. Recognition of our rise in the music industry.

Infrastructure boost in sports

Five new state-of-the-art indoor multi-sports stadiums were inaugurated at one go in five districts. Sports infrastructure in Nagaland takes a new turn. Grooming future champions.

Literary and cultural recognition

Iuli Yeptho was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year at the Indies’s Awards. Girl power to the fore. Sunep A Jamir becomes Super Winner of the Nexa Music Awards, one of the most prestigious and reputed music awards of the country. Nagaland Music is at the top of the nation.

Poet, politician & author Mmhonlumo Kikon’s book, ‘His Majesty’s Headhunters’ published by Penguin became a front and centre of the national discussion. A rare work that gave the Naga narrative to an event of history that shaped the modern world. Claiming Nagaland’s rightful place in the world order.

Global presence in wrestling and martial arts

Vethozo Lohe became World Champion in Arm Wrestling by winning Gold in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Nagaland takes India to the top of the world. Kechavor Theunuo won Gold at the ADCC Thailand Championships in Phuket by defeating his Russian opponent in the final. Naga youth are fighting… but now it’s for Gold.

Five girls from Nagaland represented India at the Kings Cup World Championships in Sepaktakraw in Thailand. They were Jwensinle kesen, Menenu Tsükrü, Seyiekhrienuo Tepa, Sezovelu Dozo, and Akumtila. And they won 6 medals. Naga women continue to make India proud.

Two from Nagaland, namely, Mhonsao Ngullie and Purna Konyak secured joint 1st Rank in the National Examination for Technical Officials under the Athletics Federation of India. On your marks!

Vekhonielü Curhah won bronze medal for India at the Asian Belt Wrestling Championships held in Uzbekistan. Girl power again!

Yoto Chizo and Hemavi Ayemi from Nagaland represented India in the East Asian Muaythai Championship in Hong Kong, China. Yoto Chizo won bronze medal in 71kg men’s category, and Hemavi Ayemi (coach) received the “Best Coach Award”.

Our champion wrestler, Venuzo Dawhuo won the Chin Wrestling Championship 2023 held in the United States of America.

Rapid transformations in emporium and café

The Nagaland Emporium in the national capital, New Delhi, was completely renovated. Done and launched in 60 days and now among the best. Naturally Nagaland.

Café Hornbill, a new boutique café in Kisama, aimed at promoting Nagaland’s renowned coffee, was conceptualized, constructed, and commissioned in 14 days by Architect Richard Belho and his team. It shows where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Nagaland on the international gaming map

‘Sojourn Past’, an upcoming game, conceptualized and developed by Nagaland’s ReDimention Games led by Pekrukhrietuo, Imlijungshi, and Loyeivi wins the best upcoming game at the India Game Developer Conference, the country’s biggest event in this sector. Digital delight.

Influencers’ meet & musical fest

Nagaland played host to the Meta Influencers’ Meet. Social media leaders with a footprint and following of more than 10 million converged in Nagaland to ideate in the Land of Festivals. Their experiences take Nagaland to the world!

The Brilliante Piano Festival brought musicians and cultural ambassadors from different continents to Kohima. Nagaland continues to establish itself as a music capital and a center for the arts.

Host to G20 & B20 summit

Nagaland hosted the G20 & B20 Summit. Maximum countries participated, and Nagaland was uplifted to the global arena. The follow-ups and the takeaways continue. Pushing Naga soft power and Brand Nagaland.

Naga artistes shine internationally

Our famed children’s choir, the Brightlights, and The Fantastic Company, both mentored by TaFMA, enthralled audiences at the North East Festival in Vietnam. KL Pamei and Trans Effect rocked Ho Chi Minh City. Our children have become our brand ambassadors in the international arena.

Temsu Clover, KL Pamei, and Sunep A Jamir made it to the cover of Rolling Stone, a dream for every musician the world over. Nagaland’s musicians continue to shine.

Excellence in sports

Sesovolu Dozo and Seyiekhrienuo Tepa represented India at the Asian Games in China in women’s Sepaktakraw. Viseyie Koso was part of the Indian men’s team that won Gold at the Kings Cup in Thailand. We are starting to soar in sports.

UPSC success and contributions to nation-building

Four from Nagaland cleared the UPSC examinations – Yimkum I Ozukum, Vevotolu Kezo, Imkongnukla Ao, and Aotula Ozukum cracked the country’s highest civil service challenge. Nagas will continue to contribute towards the nation-building process.

Hornbill Festival’s international success

The Hornbill Festival of 2023 witnessed unprecedented success with the participation of five countries and 800 musicians, further internationalizing Nagaland. The Hornbill Festival of 2023 is one of the best ever in its 24-year history. For the first time ever and perhaps a first of its kind in the country, the festival had country partners and state partners in the form of the United States, Germany, Columbia, and Assam. Five countries, 40 bands, and 800 musicians performed at the music fest! Further ‘internationalization’ of Nagaland.

As we enter 2024, let us build upon this momentum. We have tasted success, we have discovered our potential, and the world has taken notice. Let us work together, dream bigger, and reach higher. With faith, hard work, and unwavering optimism, Nagaland will continue to soar high, inspiring not just our own people but the entire nation.

Let this be the year where Nagaland’s story inspires the world.

Kuknalim!

The author is adviser to chief minister of Nagaland.

Editor’s Note: Reproduced and edited from a series of tweets by the author. The original tweets can be read here.

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About Abu Metha

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The author is adviser to chief minister of Nagaland.