Nagaland: Choose leaders by ideology, not bank balance, Kikon tells young voters

Morung Express News Patkai | October 23‘When the choice comes, will you choose your leaders based on their manifestos and ideologies, or on the size of their bank balances?’Posing this question to college students, MLA and Advisor to the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and Food Processing, Achumbemo Kikon on Friday urged young voters to look beyond politicians’ wealth and make informed choices based on ideology, manifestos and integrity.Speaking at the valedictory session of the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) Collegiate Meet 2026 at Patkai Christian College (Autonomous), he said politicians played a decisive role in shaping society, from educational curricula and development to lawmaking.While acknowledging that politicians were among the least admired professionals, he said society could not do away with political leadership. Instead, he urged young people to choose capable leaders and consider entering public life themselves, rather than limiting themselves to criticism.Read beyond headlinesKikon expressed concern over students’ growing dependence on mobile phones and social media for information, urging them to be “detail readers” rather than “headline readers.”He said information obtained through social media and other digital platforms could not substitute for the depth of knowledge gained through books and educational institutions. Pointing to neglected libraries, he remarked that some had become covered in cobwebs because students hardly visited them.Excessive dependence on mobile technology could also impact young people’s mental well-being, he added.The Advisor also urged young people to study Naga history to understand the origins of the Naga political issue and the community’s identity movement, cautioning that half-baked knowledge could leave them vulnerable to narratives that do not adequately reflect the Naga experience.Kikon also highlighted the circumstances of Naga communities living beyond the international boundary, saying many had access to fewer facilities than their counterparts in India. He called on educated Naga youth to recognise their responsibility towards these communities.Urges environmental responsibilityAs Chairperson of the seven-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly Committee on Environment and Climate Change, Kikon called on students to promote environmental protection and adopt responsible practices.Expressing concern over forest burning and disregard for rules laid down by competent authorities, he noted that human-induced environmental damage could lead to destructive consequences if left unaddressed. He urged young people to motivate their parents and villagers to protect the environment and climate.The Advisor also encouraged students to pursue sports, including Naga wrestling, boxing, football and athletics, as avenues for healthy living, professional opportunities and personal development. He also presented prizes to winners across eight disciplines of the collegiate meet, held under the theme ‘Embracing Challenges.’