‘Honour roots without being confined to the past’

LHSSK celebrates Literary and Cultural DayKiphire, October 16 (MExN): Loyola Higher Secondary School, Kiphire (LHSSK) celebrated its two-day Literary and Cultural Day with the theme “Honouring Roots, Awakening Future” on October 15 and 16. District Development Manager (DDM), NABARD, Kiphire, Imkongyanger Imchen was chief guest and speaker. Addressing the gathering, Imchen said progress becomes meaningful only when it is built on a strong foundation of identity, culture, values and heritage, while adding that honouring roots does not mean remaining confined to the past. He stated that the most important factor in the growth of any culture is its people. “Every individual contributes to culture. Your everyday demeanour, your behaviour towards friends, family and strangers reflects how cultured you are. We are all living representatives of our culture,” he said.Emphasising that culture is an experience and not merely information, Imchen said that in the age of Artificial Intelligence and instant information, one can know about culture online, but there is a difference between knowing a culture and living it. Cautioning youth against blindly imitating global trends and celebrities, he reminded students that wherever they go, they remain Nagas and must showcase their vibrant heritage to the world by becoming the best versions of themselves.He recalled that the British described Nagas as independent, brave, honest and hospitable, and said our forefathers could leave homes unlocked while working in fields — a symbol of trust and integrity we have lost today. He concluded with the message, “Skills may earn admiration, but character earns respect. True culture is revealed not by what we wear, but by how we treat others.” Earlier, the programme commenced with a prayer led by Rev Sr Tresa Kochumuriyil, SABS, Vice Principal, LHSSK. Rev Fr Philip Magh, Principal, LHSSK, welcomed the gathering and said, “Today we gather to celebrate not just talents, but our identity under the theme Honouring Roots, Awakening Future.”The two-day celebration witnessed full participation from students and staff, with competitions including essay writing, solo, duet and group song, Spell Bee, drawing, debate, quiz, extempore speech, war cry, folklore, yarn spinning, traditional food wrapping, winnowing, cock fight, bamboo stilt race, traditional fire making, pork fat eating and king chilli eating.The programme was compered by William and Yankim, while the vote of thanks was pronounced by Yangthsaba.