Music Freaks

At the mention of ‘Abiogenesis’, one can immediately hear the sound of music in a whole new dimension. It captures attention with ‘Howey and Bamhum’, the former being a genre of music that is indigenously Naga, and the latter a wind musical instrument that was invented by Moa, the main composer of the Band in the year 2005.

Since then, they have gone around the world with their music - “a fusion of Naga folk tunes and modern music” as they would call it. The christening of Howey and Bamhum in the year 2005 was a beginning of sorts, although the music group was already in existence prior to that. “Nirvana”, they think they have achieved after “Howey” was born.
Indeed, so much of an engaging genre that Abiogenesis were listed during the 50th and 51st Grammy Award for two consecutive times and now, also for the third time in the 53rd Grammy Award 2011. But getting used to being nominated, they prefer to stay low on this until they actually get it.
Interestingly, the two core members of the Band – Arenla on Vocals, Lead Bamhum, Front lady & co-composer and Moa on Guitar, Bamhum, Harmonica & main composer - are a couple, who, in their words, “met doing music and live doing music”. Music obviously runs in the family as even their son Imli takes on the Drums & Percussions as one of the band members.
With Daniel Engty, Lead Guitar & Jews harp, Krongchui from Assam and Larry, Bass Guitarist from Meghalaya, the Band also advocates building a bond between the North Eastern States. Over the years, Abiogenesis has performed in 500 plus gigs in India, Thailand and Myanmar, mostly happy with a responsive crowd and gathering rich experiences from each show.
But a success story is never without struggles and the band has had their share. However, with their passion for music steering the wheel, they carried on impressing a world audience with a new genre that is deeply rooted in what is sheer Naga.
Moa says, “Initially we had to struggle but our hard work has not gone in vain”.
While the Front Lady displays excellence, evident in being nominated for the Best female vocals category in the 6th Jack Daniels Rock Awards in Mumbai, for Arenla, “Peace is the ultimate key” as she holds this forward by entertaining people in the form of music and adds “entertainment is something so pleasurable and involves youth” which, she also maintains is a great medium for advocating peace.
She is a little dismayed that Nagas take music too lightly. “It is not that easy…we fail to differentiate between a professional and an amateur” and laments that “Nagas’ approach to music is mostly as a hobby.” She underlined the importance of professionalism, whether in music or any other field. It is really her dream for Naga musicians to take it forward beyond the borders of Nagaland, marketing it to globally and not confined to the State.
When asked who/what inspires them to make music, Moa is quick to reply, “Our love for music is a big inspiration in itself. We love each other and music. It surrounds us…we are both each other’s inspiration.”
A family like friends, sharing ideas and views, this bond would definitely go a long way in fulfilling the band’s dream to “scale to the highest level and put Nagaland in the music map of the world.”
For aspiring musicians, they have this to say, “If anyone loves music, you should take it on, never leave a gap…take it along with you to always.” And this, of course, coupled with discipline, responsibility and dedication. It is also their desire to change the concept of Nagas being labelled as “primitive people” by the outside world.
Among the many big shows they’ve been invited to perform, Abiogenesis has performed at Veethi Sankel Auditorium in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Myanmar at the National Theatre, Yangon, and the National Theatre, Mandalay, at Shillong, Aizawl, Mumbai, Trivandrum, etc, compelling an audience of many foreign diplomats besides a host of people from various professions.
Making a record of 3 albums namely Aeon Spell, Rustic Relish and Slice of Heaven uptil now, people would think they are lucky, but it’s because they are good at what they do. Their music compels big names such as Saregama, APH Records in collaboration with International Marketing Companies like CD Baby, Amazon, Create Space, Magna Sound, etc, to call on them and make music with them.
Affirming to stay faithful to their genre ‘Howey’, it makes so much sense to hear ‘Universal’ say “Stick to your music”.
This summer, Canada and the United States of America will watch them live as they gear up to perform in those countries.
They call themselves ‘Music Freaks’ and aspire to live by it.

A Better Life

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) calls him an ‘Innovator’ as Sethrichem Sangtam went ahead in life innovating ideas and living them through ‘Better Life Foundation’ which he founded in July 2009.

It was his dream to uplift the lives of the rural poor even as he started the Foundation in order to foster a better living standard among the backward communities of Nagaland, aimed at enhancing food security, employment and environment sustainability through training and adoption of viable economic activities.
With its core issue focused on marginal rural farmers, it is highly institutionalised in the villages of Eastern Nagaland and his innovative Goat Farm pilot project in Tuensang district can be seen as an example set for all other subsequent initiatives and interventions.
He deeply feels that ‘Community Participation’ is a dire necessity while building up on a society and propagates on their participation even as he talks about his ‘Goat Farm’ and further lights up on the mention of the Farmers’ Club that he started in 7 villages of Eastern Nagaland.
For him, livelihood sustainability in respect of Environment, Economy and Education are so important that he goes on to say when one has the 3 Es in place they do not have to worry about employment.
Over the past year, he has generated employment opportunities for a score of rural youth where some of them have even been trained at institutions like RRTC Shillong and College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Guwahati. This group of young men, known as ‘Bare Foot Veterinarians’, are then skilled with the knowledge of farming and other basic knowledge required to man an animal farm.
Interestingly, ranging from the kind of job required in the foundation, he employs a host of people from different s such as school dropouts, etc, giving them a better lease to life. It is his desire to try and make everyone of them a leader in their own capacities.
It is worth mentioning that that the Better Life Foundation represented India at the Luxor International Forum “Enforcing the UN Protocol” in Egypt last December.
But the man behind the Better Life Foundation interestingly studied Law at Bangalore and in the process, he was nominated as a Global Youth Advisory Panel Member with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), holding a position of repute among only 20 panel members who are nominated from all over the world.
He worked at the Headquarter in New York for a year. He recalls those days as having so much curiosity to learn, while also describing it as some sort of culture shock. “Initially, it was very difficult to understand what to do or where to go because things are so organized” he says.
Expressing it was difficult to catch up for a few months, he however got used to it and while talking about how hard people work there, he goes on to state, “People in New York don’t sleep”. ‘Sleeping is a luxury’, he adds.
That brings to the topic of ‘work culture’ which he finds it difficult to classify in Nagaland. He bluntly states, “There is NO work culture at all in Nagaland” while putting across that “we live such a laid back life, and it’s completely different!”
But Nagaland, to him, is the Best social capital and he is really encouraged to see young people coming up and enterprising themselves in the past few years. “I find people coming back, starting their new ventures. There are lots of showrooms, trendy businesses owned by the youth. It feels good to see them,” he says.
An ardent promoter of youth, he is also the founder of the Youth Employment Summit Campaign in Nagaland in 2004. He also helped launched the Summit in Manipur and Mizoram. Recalling these ventures, he expresses his thought about the Platform as a vibrant place to bring avenues for young people.
He was also coordinating for the Nagaland State in this respect for two years. In 2006, he led the Nagaland team to Nairobi Kenya.
Coming back to his roots after all his experiences with the world, it is his wish to see that he has impacted the lives of few youths and families, and contributed life security to them. He says that five years from now “Better Life Foundation would like to see that every marginalised family in our reference area is capable of generating sufficient resources to cover children education, health-care, secure livelihood and comfortable shelter.”

The indomitable spirit of Kedizelhou Rutsa

Born to divorced parents and losing his mother at a very tender age of three, Kedizelhou Rutsa’s childhood is unusually sad and smeared by bittersweet memories of growing up ‘different’. But the grateful heart he carries around refuses to grow dim, even as he begins to recount his blessings one by one.
Lucky for him that he grew up in good hands as he recalls his grandmother taking care of him in his infant stage. Notwithstanding the fact that he was born physically weak and consequently suffered typhoid and pneumonia as a child, he survived a phase of ‘soft neck and weak body’, as he describes himself in those days.
Later on, when his foster parents took him under their care, he expresses with gratitude that they gave him all the love and affection in spite of his special needs. “They never treated me differently but took me like any other child,” he says, except that they didn’t allow him to carry heavy loads.
He also recalls the fact that he wasn’t able to write smoothly. “Writing was very difficult for me, I was very slow and I couldn’t even use the ink pen,” he says. And so it amazes me that somebody who had great difficulty writing went on to graduate besides earning a B.Ed Degree and is currently teaching children to reach for their goals.
When asked how he could manage his examinations, he simply states, “That’s the wonder of it,” and goes on to add that people suggested he apply for extra time, but his foster parents did not want him to feel differently. And his indomitable spirit enabled to get him through the testing times.
He passed HSLC in 1989 only after the third attempt, but he still insists that his first failure wasn’t because of his slow writing but because he wasn’t sincere. He missed it the second time and got through the 3rd time, successfully. He graduated from Baptist College Kohima in 1994, subsequently did his B.Ed and taught in Mount Hermon School Kohima before joining Government service in November 1997.
Ever since, he’s been teaching Social Science at Government High School, Zubza. And I take this as a great achievement. I’ve come across his students who think the best of him and remember him as a Teacher who was strict but won their admiration at the same time.
Perhaps the testimony to this is the State Teachers’ Award conferred on him during the State Level Teachers’ Day Celebration at Kohima last year.
When he was younger, he thought otherwise himself, even as he confesses, “I thought I’ll never become anything in this world. I was just living because people were living. I had no dream and it may sound very silly but when I saw people carrying wallets, I thought to myself, ‘will I ever carry one like that?’ From a young age, I was fascinated with jeans and wanted to wear one, but thought I would never be able to afford it.”
Life wasn’t rosy for somebody who grew up battling Cerebral Palsy and taunts of those who called him “Crooked Neck”. “Sometimes I got really annoyed but sometimes I pitied them for not being able to understand,” he voices.
But he says that the turning point in his life really was when he committed himself to God. “I found hope in Him and a new lease of life,” he emphatically states.
He also expresses his deep love and gratitude for his foster parents to whom, he says, he owes all his achievements. “I am really indebted to them.” Further putting across that he will always cherish them, he states, “They are responsible for the life I am living today,” and goes on to add that the love and concern they’d shown in varying degrees are priceless.
This Special Person strongly feels that ‘it is so important when living with People with Disability to create an environment of showing them a new way of accepting his/her disability’. “It lies in the way the people around you treat you, mingle with you and their positive attitude towards you,” he says.
With a little dismay, he adds, “The problem is many parents are not able to accept them; ultimately the person concerned retreats more and more into himself with the feeling of being ‘abnormal’ in a ‘normal’ world.” From experience, he recalls that he felt very small once upon a time, but remembers with gratitude that a friend of his, Vechovo, used to tell him, “In front of God, we are all Great People” and insisted on him repeating ‘I am great’ 10 times in front of the mirror every morning.
“I know this may sound very silly for some people, but it helps in changing your perspective of who you are,” he says.
In the recent past, he has participated in the All Nagaland DCs Meeting to highlight the importance of including people with disabilities, Baade Kadam at Dimapur, World Disability Day in Kohima, and also submitted a Representation to the Vice President of India when he visited Nagaland, seeking for the setting up of a separate Commissioner for the disabled in the State.
Even as he feels the need for more awareness on People With Disabilities, he strongly advocates that they are n different from anyone and has the right to live and be treated equally as everyone.
In the Naga society many people still think of disability as a curse, he says, adding that there’s still much to do in terms of inculcating acceptance, which he firmly believes, should begin in the family. He, moreover, says, “As a Christian state, we should also retrospect on our spiritual development, and have a more positive outlook towards people with special needs.”
He has a strong concern for the young generation and expresses his desire to work more with them. He feels that young people today are drifting away from scripture principles, allowing modernity to take the place of spiritual principles. He is concerned that they differentiate spirituality from modernity.
On one last note, he says, “As a Person with Disability, I feel that people should be more grateful with the life that they have…we all have just one life and we should live meaningfully to please the Creator.”
As for him, he has indeed come a long way appreciating the Gift of Life. Despite the jeers and mocks that tested his spirit every now and then, he is testimony to a meaningful victorious life - someone who inspires just by being.

Beyond and ahead

‘I do not know of anyone who has gotten to the top without hard work’His childhood is influenced by the city of palaces, gardens, and temples but Neite Kapfo, despite having lived outside the State for 25 years now, still has a close affiliation with his roots. Growing up in the serenity South India, he got his early education from Demonstration School, Mysore, and went on to complete his graduation in Criminology, Psychology & Sociology from SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, Mysore.
Even as he took on his further studies and finished his Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Mysore University in 1999, specialising in Human Resources, he recalls that he’d always wanted to become an IPS Officer. With no regrets in his voice for becoming a Human Resources Professional, he gladly states that God had other plans for him.
In his 10 years of working as a professional, he has worked in many MNCs and says that every experience has helped him grow step by step. He started his career as Executive-Branch Operations for a company called Radiant Software Pvt. Ltd in Mysore in 2000. Over the years, he has worked for iSeva Systems, Bangalore, as Technical Consultant in 2003, Accenture Services as HR Co-ordinator in the same year and was part of the Campus Recruitment Team till 2005.
Then he moved to Ranal Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd as HR Executive and was taking care of Bangalore and Pune offices till 2008. Subsequently, he worked in Johnson Controls as Deputy Manager-HR and headed the South India operations.
With this vast experience in hand, today he works as the Manager-Human Resources in a Japanese company called Amada India Pvt. Ltd which has nine offices in India. He firmly believes that his position as the Head of the Human Resources for Indian Operations is a result of hard work, commitment and determination.
Talking about his varied experiences, he expressed that every time he moves to another company, it is the level of job satisfaction that he looks for. He says that the salary is, of course, an important factor, but further explains that for him, job satisfaction is engaging in the kind of job where one’s knowledge and skills can be utilised to maximum, wherein one can also see room for learning and improvement.
A man of zealous spirit, he says that he does not like to take up positions where there is not much to do. “This results in laziness and lack of commitment towards the job one has been recruited for,” he voices and adds, “To me, job satisfaction is the result of delivering high performance.”
But with all the satisfaction he feels, the ride wasn’t easy for somebody who has literally lived away from home. He admits to having faced discrimination at times for belonging to a different cultural and social , but resolutely states that it did not deter him from achieving his goals although his journey was filled with ups and downs. By now, he has also being rewarded and recognised for his contribution in the places he has worked. He simply quotes that “Where there is a will, there is always a way”.
He does have a role model who goes by the name Mr. Narayan Murthy, Chief Mentor of Infosys Technologies. He says that it inspired him to learn that a big corporate like Infosys was started with a meagre investment of Rs.10000 which Narayan Murthy borrowed from his wife Sudha Murthy. “These people underwent a lot of sacrifices, but it was due to their sheer determination and hard work that they became successful” he maintains.
Even as a Naga living outside, he is concerned for the welfare of the youth and although he admits that his knowledge on the unemployment issue in Nagaland will be limited, he emphasises that the mindset of sticking to government jobs should change. “I always tell young people to look beyond Nagaland for employment and growth,” he further says while impressing that entry of private players, big and small, will definitely boost employment opportunities.
Pointing to the fact that BPO companies run after graduate students from North East and even Nagas are no exception, he goes on to explain that “when we have such talent, I think it is high time the government wakes up and does something about it.”
He voices concern that a lot of money is being spent employing others to do the various jobs that anyone of us can and states, “If we employ our own people then we can make everyone can earn a decent living.” In this regard, he feels that a priority should be to take awareness on dignity of labour to a higher level.
As for him, he does intend to come to Nagaland some day. “Yes, I would definitely like to settle in Nagaland,” he says. But then, leaving it all to destiny, he goes on to state that one can never predict what’s in store for the future.
In his keenness to impart his experiences and learning to fellow Nagas and see that the work culture in Nagaland changes for the better, professionally, it is one of his aspirations to prove to the Naga people that working in the private sector is not bad after all. “It’s where you can utilise your skills to the maximum and competition is at the highest level resulting in personal and professional growth,” he states.
Touching further on future plans, he feels there is still a long way to go before achieving his aspirations. But he wishes to start his own company one day, concentrating mainly in the field of Human Resource consulting and technology.
His family moved to Mysore back in 1984 from Kohima, with his father, Dr. Kedutso Kapfo, working as an Associate Professor and Head of Language Planning in Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore. Dr Kapfo is himself a recipient of the Rashtrya Gaurav Award in the field of science and education. His mother, Rongsenla, is a homemaker, while his younger sister, Wethroe, is pursuing a Fellow Programme in Biotechnology in Mahajana’s PG Center, Mysore, and his brother, Alo, is working as Business Consultant in a company called Eka Plus in Bangalore. South India has become a second home for them.
And keeping his Naga connection alive and thriving, he served as the President of the Naga Students’ Union Bangalore from 2006-07 and is presently the Advisor to the Union and Chakhesang Union Bangalore as well as the Treasurer for the Naga Christian Fellowship Bangalore.
He lives by the rule that there is no substitute to hard work and determination. “I do not know of anyone who has gotten to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. I also live by the rule of simple living and high thinking.”

Social Worker Extraordinaire

She lost her mother at a very crucial time when family responsibilities started mounting on her shoulders, but Martha Dukru never stopped believing in herself and her ability to contribute to the society. Today, she is a household name in the rural Chakhesang area but then, even that wasn’t without struggles. Replacing her mother in every sense after they lost her, Martha played her role efficiently, both at home and outside. It wasn’t easy because she came from a big family and her siblings were all younger to her.
But when she picks her heart and starts talking about her dreams, one could see the passion that is so deep inside her. “I’ve always wanted to work for people…my home environment and upbringing have always inspired me to do this kind of work” she states.
Eight years into her profession as a Social Worker, she has pretty much lived up to her commitment in serving the rural poor. She started off as an Animator for a Self Help Group under DAN Development Association for Nagaland right after completion of her Class XII.
With varied experiences in hand, she is now coordinating for 32 Self Help Groups exclusively in Pfutsero and Kikruma Block, covering up to 12 villages. However, she has extensively travelled to most of the villages in Phek district solely on account of working for the welfare of the rural people, particularly the uplift of economic, social and women empowerment”.
‘Sometimes it’s discouraging because people think SHGs have easy access to money’, which, she says isn’t true and points out this is one of the challenges that she has to deal with. But enlightening more on her job, she explains that the institution she is working on is with more emphasis on social and women empowerment. She regrets that although our land is rich in resources, we do not know how to make use of them and in this regard expresses “we train people on these things to help them become self-reliant with our own resources.”
She has literally walked the miles to reach out to women in the rural areas but finds it disappointing that many women are so discouraged. “There is a lot of gender issue in the rural areas” she states, while putting across that “many of them feel the pinch of a male dominated society” and adds “they live in a very unorganised sector.”
With her heart closely knitted for the cause of women, she also expresses that she is very taken up by women rights. For her, when the subject comes up, it’s all about making the rural women aware of their rights but however points out that it is very difficult because most of them are illiterate in the villages. “It’s even unthinkable for them to fight for their rights” she says but insists that whenever she goes to the villages on field work, she tries to create more awareness in an informal way.
Even as she recalls her experiences, she narrates how she was once suspected by certain underground groups to be an ‘intelligence’ agent that they started looking for her, giving her deadlines and warnings which eventually led to her family and friends persisting on her to quit. “But I continued because I believe what I am doing is right…” she sincerely says.
And that’s how she is still in the field, finding happiness in making other people’s lives better. She firmly believes that through SHG, change can be brought in the society, especially in empowering women. There were times when bigger offers came her way from bigger and reputed NGOs, from the political arena among others, but she refused although she isn’t paid so much for what she does now. “I don’t do it for money but what is really important is what you do for the people” she says.
Over the years she has been called as Resource Person for various Training programmes including Rural Development, she has trained people in the states of Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur in the North Eastern States, attended the Development Dynamic Course in Guwahati, the North East Women Leadership & Panchayati Raj Guwahati, Seminar on Migration and displacement in New Delhi, India Social Forum, New Delhi, Training on Community Workers, recently the Consultation in Securing Women Rights, and also participated in the World Social Forum Brazil in the year 2009.
She has always been a country girl at heart and what she does today is a living testimony to it. And although she joined her profession right after her twelfth, she believes in education, and is currently enrolled for a graduation programme through correspondence.
She is also concerned that “many of the Nagas are educated but rues that we don’t get back to our own place, we don’t utilise the resources available…very few have the attitude of giving back to the society”. She strongly feels the need for preserving one’s culture and tradition but that, she believes can come through, only if we start developing from the grassroots level and start.

A Salute to our 15 NAP IR Girls

The limelight on the Mahila Battalion refuses to die down as they stand to guard the pride of the nation in various places of New Delhi.

They have taken the world by storm ever since they set foot into this metropolitan, significantly so, because they diligently chose to give their best securing the country during one of the greatest sporting events in the history of India.
Even before the Commonwealth Games opened to a grand ceremony, the 650 girls of the 15 NAP IR Mahila Battalion had already made their presence felt in the city, readying themselves to face the challenges of this Herculean task. Interestingly, this is their first assigned duty.
Engaged in the tasks of preventing, patrolling, explosive checking and securing Delhi Metro, Train Stations, etc, the 6 companies of the Mahila Battalion have won the admiration of everybody concerned. By now, they have become the centre of attraction even as they stand with courage in perfect looking uniforms, arms and ammunitions.
Aged from 18-25, they seem are far too young to be risking their lives in such a way, but when you catch up with them for a chat, their enthusiasm is unmistakable. Their smiles conceal all the struggles and hardship they may have encountered. It’s difficult not to see the excitement in Naro’s face as she informed that this is her first time in Delhi and pronounces further, “I feel so great to be a woman performing the same job that men do”.
She goes on to add that even though they are on duty for 8-9 hours everyday, they have the strength to carry on. “I am proud Naga on duty here,” she says.
Two of the girls I met on duty at the Delhi Emporium happily recounted their experiences. It’s a tough job they undertake each day with guns weighing heavy on their shoulders; however, they don’t seem to mind because their ‘happiness’ overshadows their tiredness even as Kaliho pronounces, “It’s extremely tiring but I am very happy”. She seems to forget the tougher aspect of being in the police force as her contentment draws the line clear.
She is the youngest in the family and her parents apparently found it difficult to come to terms with her choice of profession. But she says that it has always been her dream to be where she is. Without a tinge of regret, she stands there on duty not minding the Delhi heat or the new environment or the stares…only because her heart is set for a greater purpose.
Her companion Moasenla proudly exclaims ‘it is my first privilege’. I realise she would also give her all for the success of this duty.
And even as I stood there admiring their commitment, I knew it would make any Naga proud to just catch that glimpse. Too quickly, others come by and steal their attention, some look at them in awe and admiration, some finding the guts to request them for a picture pose.
Setting out to duty under the Command of Commandant Meren, if you’re in Delhi, you would find the girls of the Mahila Battalion in all the important places that attract foreign tourists and Indians alike. Their Commandant also voiced that ‘it’s a good experience and good exposure’.
Deputy Commandant of the Battalion said: “It’s a new experience and, this being their first assigned duty, they are happy and excited to be part of a great event.”
It is learnt that even the Delhi Police are impressed with the performance of the girls and so far not a single adverse remark has been made about the girls…the Deputy Commandant said.
The IRB girls have also generated much media interest and been featured in the Times of India, Hindustan Times, NDTV, ANI, etc, with more calls coming in for interviews.
They are scheduled to return to the home front soon after the CWG and will be put back to a month’s Commando Training which was earlier left pending for the duty call. However, with the skill and expertise they have already shown, they are definitely off to climb higher ladders of courage.

Flowers

Flowers are said to be ‘the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into’, while Shakespeare went on to call the daisy a poet’s darling, and if it so much serves as an inspiration for words to play,  then flowers certainly touch a part of the human soul.
Perhaps it was this healing touch of flowers that engrosses Arenla Mozhui in her garden day in and day out. And yet, she had a far greater purpose in mind when she first opened “Hillsway” in the year 2005. She observes that there were no flower shops in Kohima to cater to the needs of the people, and so she started growing varieties of flowers on her own, tenderly taking care of them and watching them grow until eventually, she decided to open a shop on a very small scale as she insists.
She is probably the first florist in the State Capital and a self taught Flower Arranger who delights in the blooming of flowers as much as in planting the seeds.
“You have to give your full time to flowers”, she expresses even as she recalls her little struggles in setting up her shop all by herself through sheer hard work.
But the more extraordinary aspect of it lies in the fact that she is a mother of three who finds flowers beckoning to her all the time even more than her children does sometimes. She feels for her plants and goes on to admit that she loses track of time simply watching one of her flowers bloom.
Managing her flowers in her home space in Chandmari, it is with greater difficulty that she takes care of them during dry seasons. But she passionately puts across that she makes it a point to nourish them even at the cost of buying water.
Mostly, she grows potted plants including varieties like Orchid, Anthuriam, Greens, Astromeria, Ponsettia, Azalea etc. Over the years, she has observed the growing demand of flowers in Nagaland even as every other occasion includes flowers as decorative pieces.
She states with seriousness that the flower market is really growing in the State while expressing the need to invest more land for growing flowers. She says “the demand is too much and we have to order it from outside sometimes”. This enthusiastic florist also believes that growing flowers can greatly contribute to the economy of the State.
While on the other side of it, she has arranged flowers for numerous occasions including VIP gatherings like the recent visit of the Vice President of India.
It may be of interest that she picked the name of the shop- “Hillsway” herself while explaining that it’s simply because we live in the hills. She looks obviously content in her humble shop as she’d rather say, but the admiration of passing people was clearly visible even as some of them keep coming in to check out the impressive flowers, if not to buy some for themselves either to decorate or grow.
She also encourages interested youth to take this up as a profession. By all means, she knows there’s scope in this area from her own personal experience as she states once more that even the number of the available florists is too little to meet the flower demands made by people.
It is her hope that more people engages themselves in growing flowers for it does so much to brighten our homes and places of living. For her, the venture was totally worth it. It’s obvious she’d rather be with flowers than doing anything else for she even says that she forgets all her tiredness once she starts dirtying her hands in her garden.
When asked to pick her favourite flower, it’s with great difficulty that she names ‘orchid’, but goes on to say that she loves flowers of every kind.
The Matriculate from Little Flower School plays the role of a superwoman as a mother, a homemaker, a wife and a florist. One must say she has pretty much succeeded.

A drum roll to life

‘Believe in yourself and practice, practice and practice and after that  practice again’As a self taught drummer, she performed on stage for the first time in the year 1996 at State Academy Hall Kohima in front of a huge crowd with her parents watching her.
Lopeno Ovung recalls this as one of her most extraordinary and joyful experiences although she confesses she was very nervous and literally shivering with her hi-hat stand moving away from her all the time, as she puts it. 
She grew up with music and she goes back in time, pulling out memories of family members gathering every night to sing choruses and hymns. However, she started on drums only after finishing high school, adding with a little tinge of regret that during the formative years she didn’t have any kind of formal training which compelled her to start learning how to read drum notations on her own.
But pronouncing that her guitar lessons helped her extensively, she remembers learning the basic guitar chords from her Dad, Shibemo, and then later training under few other supervisors. She was a member of the Patkai Christian College Guitar Ensemble for four years. Her heart was certainly in it for she also won the State level Western Classical Guitar Recital Competition organised by the State department of Youth Resources & Sports in 2002.
And yet, the Drums remained her love all the way. She apparently never had her personal drum kit and so, she says, ‘I hardly found a proper place to practice and had a very hard time looking for someone who would actually lend me his drum kit for a while’. And that’s how she practiced and did her ‘homework’ till, in 2003, she finally bought a second-hand drum kit that pretty much solved much of her struggles.
She did climb the barriers standing her way to becoming an accomplished drummer even as she looks back and realises that there wasn’t any centre for drum grade examinations in the North East during her time but notes with happiness that there are music institutes in Nagaland working hard to set up centres in this regard.
Prior to becoming a Drum Instructor at the Crown Centre in Dimapur along with other schools in 2003, she played in bands like Oleanders (Winner-State Level, and 2nd Runner Up-National Level of the Northeast Music Festival organized by Doordashan and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan,Delhi 2003), Alive 107, Native Rising, which was selected as opening band for international rock act Michael Learns To Rock, Abiogenesis and XTC(selected as opening band for international rock act Firehouse).
She has also been associated in performances with bands for social causes like HIV/AIDS before pursuing her further studies in drums at The Yamaha School of Music, Singapore.
Lopeno is presently a Drum Instructor in Delhi (since 2007), but she is simultaneously training herself under Manoj Mavley who is a well known drum instructor in the national capital. She is also a member of the Faculty of Drums at Aria - The Music and Theatre Conservatory and Asha Music Academy at Vasant Kunj. Alongside, she trains students for the Trinity Guildhall and Rockschool Examinations.
The lady drummer has definitely experienced more than one fulfilling rendezvous with music but she still finds it difficult to define it. But for her, “Music is almost like a Heaven-sent gift which keeps me going when life gets tough. I also think that it is a universal language and that is exactly how we can think of making a major difference in the world, just by giving it a chance”.                                  
Towards this end, she feels that Nagaland is full of very sincere musicians, which she expresses is the reason why it is gradually progressing in the field of music. Describing Music as a culture and a very detailed process, she says that event organising is also a very important part of the music industry.
She also feels strongly about introducing refined courses of event management in the State while explaining that, this way it’ll be in constant touch with the other major event management firms across the country and abroad. Moreover, she adds local talents will have a greater prospect to outshine themselves.
Otherwise, she sees ample scope for music in Nagaland and expresses further that it’s specially because she sees a lot of support of government organisations like the Music Task Force, which are helping young aspiring musicians to pursue their musical careers as well as the many music schools which are giving the right guidance to the young learners and further makes a special mention of the academic institutions which have added music as a subject to their curriculum.
Personally for her, among the many fantastic musicians who have inspired her, she says that she has always had a very intricate relation with nature and while confessing her love for everything which is natural, she also feels that this is what actually inspires her to do good music. 
She also professes that she will always support every step taken towards the welfare and wellbeing of the society. She has, over the years, been associated with social welfare programmes through her musical abilities and goes on to add that she would always want to help by participating in any social activity for the uplift of the society. 
In the longer run of her life, she plans “to keep on playing my drums and constantly learn and upgrade myself in the field of drum concepts”. The biggest reward for her is actually the audience who come for her concerts and this Lady Drummer doesn’t think gender really applies in the field of music. “The whole jazz lies in the passion of becoming a part of a musical instrument (i.e. becoming a musician). It can be anybody. It takes nothing to become a lady drummer but it takes dedication, discipline and humbleness to become a real musician” she says.
It is also noteworthy that all the music credits she has earned has all come from “Practice, practice and practice and after that practice again” but sensibly conveys “through all that practice do not forget to believe in yourself”.

Of courage, honour and dignity

When the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi requested the State government to deploy two forces of Nagaland Police in the country’s capital, there was hesitation at first, at least on the part of the Jawans. There was the question of leaving home and family, difficulty of adjusting to city life and definitely bigger challenges that would perhaps need greater effort and skill.
But as the 1st Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) left the comfort of the State on static duty to Delhi in August 2008, little did they know that they would become the guardians of the nation’s many heritages and vital locations as well as relied upon security detail for Very Important Persons. Two years on, they are protectors of important national monuments and provide security to Cabinet Ministers and Foreign Embassies like the US Embassy and the UK Embassy among others.
Nagaland is one of the very few states in the country which has its force deployed in New Delhi in this manner. As the Commandant of the Battalion, Sandeep M. Tamgadge, IPS, rightly said…..’The 1st NAP is the extended arm of Nagaland Government’.
Delhi being a big place, he says the nature of duty is more complex involving more responsibility even while impressing upon the fact that the importance of duty is much more in the capital. Observing that there are hundreds and thousands of threats in a place like the national capital, he states that these are also few of the challenges that the battalion has to face.
The 1st NAP, which is spread over 71 locations in the Capital City, has its Headquarters in Vijayghat, Safdarjung Airport and Model Town. But life for them is not always easy because at the end of the day, one group or the other has to go back to tents on rotational basis, which is not very pleasant given the harshness of the extreme Delhi weather.
With concern in his voice, the CO enlightens that out of 71 locations, about 55 has permanent structures but with the rest living in tents, he says that the complex problem lies in the absence of permanent building for all of them.
But this force of 900 has over the two years learnt the traits of surviving in a big city and has familiarised themselves with the law, order and security of the nation as a whole. By and large, the battalion which is concentrated in the security of the country has definitely made an impression on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Earlier, its tenure was fixed for two years which was supposed to expire in August 2010. However, the MHA has requested the 1st NAP to stay on for another year, more so in view of the Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Delhi from October 3-14, 2010.
For some of them, this news had initially shattered their dreams of going back to their families and homes but when made to understand that a replacement by another battalion also means more training and getting used to the security arrangements, the boys have sportingly risen to the call of duty and consented to continue for another year.
Having a say in this, the CO states that the Union Government has put its trust in the Nagaland Police since they’re requesting their services further. Not many states are deployed from across the country, he says. There are IRB Battalions from Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and UP, he informs.
‘My boys’, the Commandant lovingly thinks of them, and says, “They are well accustomed to the place now, they know the rules and the nature of duty and I am happy they are willing to continue for a greater objective.”
Indeed, the 1st NAP would have important roles to play during the CWG even as they will be part of the detail securing 17 venues during the occasion, including ‘Akshardham Temple’ which reportedly attracts 70% of tourists in New Delhi.
It also surely does serve as a comfort to have the State police in a place known more for its crime rate, especially crimes against women. For in the face of such circumstances, it is learnt that the 1st NAP does its bit to help. In the words of the Commandant, they unofficially speak to the Delhi Police and whenever these things happen, he says “we talk to the concerned police stations and try to see that things are done”.
He is particularly impressed that when a crime against somebody from the North East is committed, every tribe, every sister state of NE, regardless of religion, sex and tribe come together with one voice. Clearly appreciative of this coordination, he feels it is deeply needed in times as such. Most definitely, the 1st NAP also shares a good rapport with the Delhi police and a closer connection with the Naga Students Union Delhi.
The boys have their share of struggles and have certainly sacrificed a great deal to be placed where they are, but most strikingly, they live as one big family….they come together and share a meal on special occasions, they beat the rains and the heat in their tents, and still carry out their duties in the service of the nation.
Maybe it’s the efficiency of leadership under its Commandant, Sandeep M. Tamgadge, the Deputy Commandants and all other Officers involved or maybe it’s the team work of all of them put together…..but whatever the element that binds them, it makes us proud to know they are doing such a commendable job outside.

Cooking up a dream

It is rare to see a Naga lad engrossed in the kitchen, handling spoons and spices, especially if it means taking up ‘cooking’ as a serious profession. But Liochan Ovung has followed his dream and it looks like he’d always prepared himself for this moment.
He was fascinated by the art of cooking even as a small boy…..and, obviously, his Mother was his first influence. He also actually started experimenting with the help of recipe books even before he turned a teenager.
And there’s really no stopping somebody who has that special passion in his heart. Liochan persevered to become a Chef somewhere down the line. And it was the Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund that gave him the real start to his career. Therein, began his journey of dreams in the United Kingdom where he attended the Llandrillo College, Wales UK, and earned himself a Diploma in Professional Cooking.
He definitely did well as he went on to be recognised as the Bronze Award Winner for Starters and Main Course at the British Culinary Federation, Student Cook and Serve Challenge which was held at Stratford- upon- Avon College in June 2008. Prior to that, he was also given the Bronze Award Winner for Open Learner Omellettes at the Welsh International Culinary Championship at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru.
But what I found most commendable was that this young Naga Chef introduced a traditional Naga cuisine to the Mandir Restaurant in Switzerland. As an invitee at the Museum Der Kulturen Basel, he taught Swiss cooks a simple Naga pork dish, or ‘Machihan’ as it is called in Lotha dialect.
It was during the ‘NAGA - A forgotten mountain region rediscovered’ event organised in collaboration with the Department of Art and Culture, Nagaland, that his culinary delights hogged the limelight more than the artefacts did.
Undoubtedly Naga dish became a popular choice in Switzerland even as the Mandir Restaurant decided and kept it in its menu for the whole year. Recalling it as a pleasant experience, Liochan delightfully adds that even the President of the Basel Canton tasted the Naga dish.
The young Naga Chef, moreover, stole the hearts of the Swiss Television and other local media in Switzerland even as he was pressed for time handling one interview after the other.
He also worked in a 5 Star Hotel as Breakfast Chef at AA 3 Rosettes, the Bodysgallen Hall Hotel in Llandudno Wales, UK and took part in numerous events ranging from Rotary Charity D inners, Teenage Cancer charity, Chef of Wales Dinner, Chefs United and Themed events in the UK.
He went on to learn German language from the Goethe Institute, Max Mueller Bhavan, New Delhi, after he returned to India and subsequently worked as Chef in New Delhi’s finest stand alone Italian Restaurant - Celebrity Chef Ritu Dalmia’s DIVA Italienne, New Delhi.
But like they say, perhaps home is really where the heart is.
Today, he’s working as Chef and Manager of Niathu Resort, Dimapur, and I have a feeling he’s living his dream. But ironically, many folks still think it’s just not enough. However, he simply dismisses people from the old school of thought when they come telling him the tired refrain - “why don’t you look for a government job?”
With a specialisation in Italian Food, Niathu Resort will soon have it in their menu. He is excited about this new venture and enthusiastically explains that ‘Italian food doesn’t need so much detail unlike French food which requires a lot of technicalities’.
He says that Italian food is very homely and, even as he is delighted to present it shortly, he plans on starting from scratch by way of using only fresh organic ingredients and not chemically bottled stuff.
But as he enthusiastically pushes on, there is one little regret he voices. “We (Nagas) still do not have the habit of going out to eat, but instead we go out to drink and get drunk only,” he says. However, he is optimistic as he feels that the hospitality sector is slowly growing up. With only Chinese and Indian food making a real impact in the State so far, he also looks forward to introducing new dishes that will tickle the palates in the near future.
It is also his dream to open his own restaurant someday but, knowing that it’ll take some more time for that to happen, he is content to be where he is right now.
All said and done, he voices his appreciation for the initiatives taken by the Chief Minister in encouraging the youth to venture beyond the State and, of course, for his own scholarship that has enabled him to realise his dream. Besides, he has a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for his parents for their full support in what he wants to do (and also does best) and not imposing on him some other plan that they may have had in mind.

Creativity at its best

A little instance, one regular moment that catches the eye, one little observation and sometimes, this is all it takes to make a difference, to motivate and to compel the creative mind. Manen Mollier begins by telling me this incident, which I believe that the majority of us would, at the most, pass a heart rending remark and leave it at that.
In his own words…. “One day I saw this small girl student all alone in the rickshaw. Asleep. And it struck my mind that many parents cannot afford to be around all the time…”
“She was belted to the rickshaw so that she doesn’t fall,” he continues, even as realisation on the dangers of such a situation dawned. And it was for safe passage to school and back for these children that he came home feeling unusual but inspired to do something more than mere thinking.
Followed by proofing of designs and making blueprints on a rickshaw of his very own, Manen approached his Dad who was at first a bit reluctant (as he puts it) but eventually gave in. He thus began on a venture that no other Naga has ever gone before. With a mere Rs 3000/-, he purchased the parts of a rickshaw and with a combination of effort, creativity and hard work, he completed his design and product in one month.
In time, he came up with 30 rickshaws of the same model which is more comfortable, safer and lighter and made of metal with assistance from his Uncle. This time it took him only 5 months for 30 rickshaws. And that’s how Jeman Rickshaws came into being.
This new innovation gained popularity during 2006, even more so because he was spreading the love of God by quoting verses from the Bible and getting them written on the rear of his rickshaws. Significantly, an Amritsar based Journalist happened to chance upon these rickshaws while in Nagaland and he was so taken in by it that he did his bit by doing a story on this young man.
Next thing he knew, there were unending calls coming in from hundreds of readers in Amritsar. He had compliments and queries pouring in for him from among those who were touched by the verses, from among believers who shared the joy of spreading the heavenly mission together and even from those who may not share the same belief but still agreed to the lines written on the rear of his rickshaws.
Manen was clearly happy with the overwhelming response. “It was very positive” he states. And people also obviously appreciated his dignity of labour. “I got a lot of encouragement,” he expresses.
But as one knows, most times it takes a little more than encouragement to carry an idea forward. And so, he left it at that. However, he kept his first model with him for 3 years, for emotional reasons perhaps.
When asked if he would pick it up again, Manen seems set on leaving it where it ended. But, indeed a good experience, and a life changing one at that for a good many people, his tryst with destiny has a mixed bag of specialties.
It would come as a surprise that somebody who majored in Geography from Rajasthan College actually pursued a Master’s Degree in Psychology and went on to get a Diploma in Software Engineering, before he settled on being a Psychology Teacher at Dimapur Mission Higher Secondary School, which is also his current profession.
But more than the teacher in him, which he insists on thoroughly enjoying, the creative side of him refuses to die down. He admits that he is a restless chap who is always up to something or the other. True to this, most of the things he engages himself in when not teaching has something to do with innovation, traces of which you see in his home zone. For instance, a table that he recently made and other new designs placed in corners of the house.
The most interesting one lies in the front-yard. It’s a two wheeler, a bike to be precise, which he modified, more out of interest than compelling attraction. He has artistically designed and creatively placed a roof above for the sole purpose of getting protection from the sun or the rain. It’s more like a whole motor vehicle but obviously the difference lies in the two wheels that handsomely fulfils the purpose of transportation. Only, it’s more comfortable than the actual bike, although of course, he has only modified a bike to something more than catches the eye.
Having made this during a time when ginger farmers were going through a very difficult time disposing surplus production, he dedicated his latest creation to these farmers. Presently, he’s trying to take this model to some company and one hopes that it does make an impact because it surely promises of a much more convenient way of commuting.
I also believe he can make an airplane and make us all proud. Actually it was his idea, which he quickly brushes it aside as “crazy”. But then, as they say…“it’s better to be absolutely absurd then boring”…

On a scientific quest

Born and brought up in Khonoma Village, Visesato Mor is the youngest in the family. He lost his parents at a very early age and was raised by his elder brothers and sisters. As a young boy, he dreamt of becoming a physician and took up the science stream towards achieving this goal but considers himself unlucky and “not that bright a student to compete for those limited medical quotas” even though he insisted on trying hard for MBBS after Pre-University. He failed to make it.
So, instead, he shifted gear and majored in Botany where a small topic on Biotechnology (as he puts it) interested him enough to make him further pursue Masters in Biotechnology from Calicut University in Kerela. This was also where he first encountered the Arabian Sea and, describing himself as ‘a boy from the hills standing at the shore of the mighty ocean’, he found it a wonder to see how vast the ocean is… “There seems no ending,” he says.
Perhaps this serves as an inspiration for him as he says that “Knowledge is also like the ocean - so vast, wide and deep”. And therein began his thirst for knowledge even as he decided to go beyond and see what lies ahead.
His desire to acquire knowledge is evident from the years of researches he has already done in various capacities. Earlier, he had also qualified the All India Common Entrance Examination for admission to MSc Biotechnology (Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India) conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and simultaneously took a summer programme at the National Institute of Virology, Pune, Maharashtra in the year 2000.
Recalling this period as ‘great fun’ working on the hepatitis virus, he is ecstatic to be in the scientific community and goes on to explain: “Biological research is like any other field where success depends on dedication, hard work and having a passion in doing what you do.” Sometimes, he adds, “it may seem frustrating but everything leads to a new finding and that is real fun though it requires lots of patience and one should be observant.”
He has truly endeavoured in this field as he went forward to extensively experiment with science and went on to work with the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology as Junior Research Fellow and later promoted to Senior Research Fellow. After 7 years of vigorous studies on Protein Chemistry relating to infertility, he earned a PhD Degree from Jadavpur University. Elsevier Science published his research findings in three separate issues, following which two more papers have been communicated and some more in the pipeline.
Apart from attending and giving presentations at several National and International symposiums, he also worked as a Project Associate at the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, on a CSIR network project on proteomics. Subsequently, he got an offer from Canada but withdrew his application on account of VISA problems and changed routes to the United States of America where he is currently doing his Postdoctoral research at the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC. USA.
Visesato is one of the very few Nagas who have reached this far in academic pursuits and is evidently doing well. The young Scientist is working on a fungal pathogen about which he explains as: “When it enters the body through the lung, disseminates to the brain through the bloodstream and causes a life threatening meningo-encephalitis in susceptible patients.”
“We engineered the pathogens' genetic materials to study the changes in their metabolic pathways, their susceptibility to drugs, how they behave inside the host,” he further explains while adding, “We have a system that mimics the human physiological system to test the engineered organism”. He has screened around 50 thousand drugs and having found few of these promising to be drug candidates for the diseases says that more studies are on. In the wake of these undertakings, definitely something special could be born out of it.
Driving his thoughts back home, Visesato feels that Nagas can do extremely well in biological research/biotechnology but states, “It is unfortunate that we still lack infrastructure and facilities.” However, he optimistically adds: “That should not be the end.”
“After all, only an unskilled labourer blames the ineffectiveness his tools,” he says.
As a biotechnologist, he is keen on looking for possibilities in biotechnological application in Nagaland. Towards this end, he thinks it would be a good idea to set up a biotechnology/technology incubation centre where information technology and engineering can also included.
“This age, this era, is after all running after the knowledge-based economy; therefore, a single field of knowledge is not enough.” he says, while suggesting further that young Nagas having innovative ideas may bring forward their ideas to work out with experts from the centre.
He feels that if the project works, then entrepreneurs may also be encouraged to set up small scale industries which can generate a huge job market. And as a concerned Naga, he looks forward to playing his part.
“My father owned a Morung and I inherit that as the youngest son,” he says. “I understand how the Morung played a very important role in imparting knowledge in olden days. I do not plan to shift that Morung to another place. I dream of starting a biotechnology centre and biotech-based industry in Nagaland where I, with the help of other experts, would like to impart knowledge and provide job opportunity to our youngsters”.
He opined that widening of ‘poor and rich divide’ and the ‘educated unemployed’ problem are very important issues. “I don't know whether the two are related, but these issues affect both the social and political area,” he felt.
Going on to state that ‘a jobless person's mind tends to remain idle and an idle mind is very dangerous as it tends to breed evil’, he added: “I believe that if all Nagas have a job and if all Nagas are rich then the respect of one another, the trust, understanding one another can restart amongst Nagas as we were before.”
But all these aside, the 33-year-old Naga scientist lives by the line - “Do your best and God surely is going to do the rest for you”.
While many of us may think somebody who is so engrossed in one too many scientific activities would have no poetry in his soul, he surprises with a gem saying that it might sound weird ‘to enjoy leaning on a chair and looking up’ while describing it as a very relaxing thing to do when off work. A little of nature also seems to refresh his mind as he talks about his love for strolls in the woods and the sight of trees and greenery.

Swaying to his own music

There’s something different about this Naga Christian artiste who insists on giving a serious tone to a career in music. And his attempt has earned him the respect of music critics, even as Alobo Naga sways to the music of his own life by breaking away from the typical norms of being a mere performer.
Firstly, professionalism is something he religiously adheres to. His debut album ‘Roads of a Thousand Dreams’ launched earlier this year is proof to what he strives to promote, not only in terms of sharing his talent and faith but also how he made it professionally viable to the global market.
His first official presence into the world of music was so efficiently done, that selling off 1000 copies of his debut album within 3 days of the launch hardly comes as a surprise. One must say, the efforts and the passion he put into it all comes through in this album – consider this…..a total of 250 pictures were taken for the debut album, not forgetting the professionals - makeup artist and photographer – he works with.
“I believe in fashion,” he matter-of-factly states, adding that ‘it’s not only about what is in the market, but what you bring into the market and you’re comfortable with it’. “Presenting yourself is very important,” he also emphasises and explains that that it starts from the moment you walk up to the stage, how you carry yourself, how you move, talk and sing.
Combined with all these performing abilities and qualities, he has definitely shown what he’s got by also getting selected recently for the International Music Competition scheduled to be held at Montenegro from July 7-9, 2010. He will be accompanied by 6 backup folk singers and musicians.
He is understandably excited about attending the Fest but states wisely that ‘with success comes responsibility’ and further impresses that ‘sustaining is more important’. “To reach the top is not very hard but staying there is,” he says.
Talking more on the forthcoming event and the song he’s going to sing at Montenegro, Alobo says he has picked ‘Kumsujulo’, a patriotic song in Sumi dialect which also talks about the situation in Nagaland. He’ll be performing the song in a mix of English and Sumi rather than the pure Sumi track that is there in the album.
Written and composed by him, it goes…“everyday you hear there’s something wrong, full of anguish and pain, No hope to move on, hear the children crying out to you, reach out to them and give them hope…”
And reaching out to the people is exactly what he dreams to do with his music. “Music is my life,” he states, and adds ‘but that’s so simple……I breathe music, I live music, I have a music moment when I wake up and before I sleep’.
It may surprise some that somebody who took up a professional course from Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, New Delhi, and had a commendable job in hand would quit it all for music. When asked why he took up tourism, he says simply and rationally, “I was confused up to my graduation – like any other Naga”.
But having realised his purpose, he’s all set to go as high up the ladder as possible with a serious career in ministry and music. Just as his album personifies - ‘soulful, acoustic and ballad with a Christian message’ and also one which about worldly love, a husband singing a love song to his wife, about harmony and peace, he strives to continue using music as an instrument to tell people that ‘it is so fun serving the Lord and second thing, we Nagas should think beyond our limitations’.
He agrees that we have no shortage of good singers and musicians and says when it comes to talent ‘we are loaded with it but we’re still not there yet when it comes to performance’. However, he optimistically said ‘we’re coming up and almost there’ and feels that a little polishing and filtering would go a long way in producing accomplished musicians.
The post graduate from Delhi University also thinks that the ‘serious profession tag’ to music is lacking in Nagaland simply because “people are not taking it seriously, that’s why it’s not a serious profession”. He says that big Naga music names are earning even more than government servants because they are serious about their music.
Putting across the other side of his thoughts, he emphatically says that “life is not only about earning money but about joy, peace…” towards which end, being satisfied with what you do also deeply matters to him.
“Be original and don’t only dream but put your dreams to God” is a line associated with his success.
Currently learning music from Hope Centre, he is proud of his mentor Nise Meruno and speaks with respect for Theja Meru, Kashito and Methaneilie. He is also the Youth President of Dimapur Sumi Church and is constrained for time with people seeking him out to perform for concerts and events.
When you come to think of it, maybe this is what he was destined to do because he started very early in life and was already performing at the age of 5, joined a band when he turned 12, performed gigs for college fests, sang for the radio and other numerous occasions and has several notable recording experiences included in the albums- Yesterday Today Forever (2001), Summer Jam (2003), Achumis (2003), ICON (2008). He was also adjudged the best vocalist and best performer in a musical contest during the Summer Jam 2003.
One can look forward to his concert on June 19, 2010, scheduled to be held at IMC Hall, Dimapur at 4:30 PM. The fund raising concert organised on free will donation basis will go towards making his Europe trip a success. It will also see the performances of guest musicians like Dementia, Spark band, and teachers from Hope Centre, Furtado School of Music, Noah Kim, DG Sumika and many more.
Way in the near future, he also wishes to do something on “West meets East” in the genre he is in right now, ‘but in between I want to put the North East, Naga thing to keep our identity”. “I would love to make something very different, something soothing to the ear of the people,” he says. Already working on it, his dream of winning a Grammy someday doesn’t seem so far away with the kind of passion his music promises to give.

A life not so ordinary

Her take on life is simple and one may mistake her for somebody who’s had it all easy but Rozelle Mero has earned her place through sheer enthusiasm in everything that she ever took up. People called her ‘Miss Goodie Two Shoes’ as a student in Little Flower School but she’d like to think she grew up in a competitive environment where she took on every opportunity that came her way, and in fact, participated in all the school activities and even won some prizes whether it’s singing or elocution.
Going back to her college days, she thinks it is by accident that she became quite an athlete but it is no surprise that she did well throughout because she was the college champion year after year. Alongside, she efficiently balanced her studies and a part time job while she graduated.
Interestingly, she also taught Hindi to some children at one point which all went into giving her enough earnings to suffice as her pocket money. She says, “I was proud of it because it helped me learn to be organised as well”.
Needless to say, she learnt the value of money at a very young age and respected it all the more because she earned what she spent. “We’re not all officers’ family where we could hop into our daddy’s car” she states as it slowly becomes evident that the enormously independent woman she is today was a result of many experiences.
She believes God has a grander plan for everybody even as she moved to Bombay to pursue her Masters in English. There, it was at an elite Chinese Restaurant where she worked part time as Receptionist and Hostess that she got introduced to the outside world, as she puts it. Precisely, it was the Dinner for the Filmfare Awards where she was already getting a peek of the big names in the film industry and she was just 19 then.
Recalling her days there, she says “it’s the kindness of people who groom you, and make you realise the value of life”. It was her thirst for knowledge that she found everything incredible whether it’s a party, a church gathering, college or any other occasion, she insists that there is always something new to learn.
Subsequently, she worked with an advertising agency as the Model Coordinator and describes the experience as fascinating and a great leaning experience, after which she left Bombay for a while only to return and become the General Manager for a Designer Store. It was a time when Star TV just started and as she took over the Company also did its first Fashion Show with the Channel.
Her rendezvous with Cathay Pacific came around unexpectedly as she never saw herself as a steward. However, she has never missed opportunities in life. “I never stopped myself” she says and took every opportunity that came her way. Eventually her love for art propelled her to join a Design School in the United States. ‘I worked like a dog’ she says but it was not in vain as the School used her work to get accreditation.
And after working a while there, she decided to come back to Nagaland and became a trendsetter by opening “Under 1 roof”, filling it with interesting colourful stuffs while starting a lot of designing projects overseas. She loves to “travel, see what’s happening, meet friends around the world…I keep myself updated all the time.”
She is also a very positive person and expresses that “it gives you strength, although I have to admit that it’s always been God paving my way and opening the roads for me.” She insists that “it’s very important to stop and smell roses along the way because life is too short not to appreciate the simple things in life”. ‘Be happy with life’, she further says while explaining that “as human beings our wants are endless but our needs are not endless.” “Just aim to make it even better” she asserts and that’s exactly how she has come a long way with her struggles in life, of being a single mom and going through other nasty experiences that she’d rather not indulge in.
It is evident from the way she narrates her story that her Grandma was her greatest influence as she reminiscences on treasures that she freely gave away. Remembering her as somebody who prayed, she says “having her influence in my life was amazing”. She always taught us not to be mad or angry with anybody, Rozelle adds and feels that God has a special purpose for everyone and “we really have to find it, and if along the way we hurt somebody we should also make it a point to apologize” she emphasizes.
She feels that there is so much to learn in life that a lifetime isn’t enough and wishes to tell “young people who have the opportunity to get through life now not to turn down any single opportunity- even just participating, working with a charity, or anything. It may help you make a career in your life.”
As for now, she is happy to be recruiting for JW Marriott Hotels for the North East Region and North Bengal and is delighted to add that they are recruiting architects and engineers as well where 60-70 Nagas could get the opportunity to work in a 5 Star Hotel in Pune and 50 others in Oak Wood Residence, Pune.
Observing that there are few people working in management and the technical side, she hopes that this would be a great opportunity to solve unemployment in Nagaland. To which end, it is her dream that “every young Naga should take the opportunity to go outside and get ideas, work for many years and come back to share those experiences.”
Talking of people being apprehensive of starting new ventures due to insurgency problems, she says “the problem exists but if we have Non-Nagas who can come to Nagaland and earn crores and crores and still live in Nagaland, why not us?” “What is wrong with the Nagas that we cannot become retailers?” she questions and is of the opinion that we are lucky if a Naga owns a store in every 5 stores in a building in Dimapur. In today’s world, she says “I think we have to learn how to multitask- grab the opportunities, focus on it, there’s nothing wrong with.”
On the other hand, she regrets that corruption is another battle that the Naga society has not won over. “There are Nagas who are incredibly rich but nobody has the guts to question them” she points out but is hopeful that the younger generation’s coming up. “I hope we’ll become thinker and start questioning, not in the form of accusing but in such a way that it makes them conscious of their deeds.”
With many young entrepreneurs coming up, she also hopes that “our brothers in arms will support them” and that Nagas will not be copycats but reinvent things and be productive. Actually, she believes that if “we Nagas come together, we might end up becoming best in the North East.”
Having so many years of experience herself, she insists on young people to take up part time jobs. The problem, she says is that we earn a little money and splurge it on nice clothes, flashy cars, that’s it and there are people who don’t even earn but have the flashiest gadgets. Regretting that we seem to be happy living ‘only for today’, she says “we have to change that and have broader visions.
Meanwhile, she thinks we’re lucky to have dynamic leaders but says “we also have leaders who should be a little more accommodative and include women in decision making” and excitedly adds “we might pleasantly surprise them…” and that, it’s not about disrespecting men or what existed but explains that “every civilization evolves and we should make changes.”
The future, she says, ‘is for you and me’ and encourages that every young person should go outside (Nagaland) if they get an opportunity. She expresses that “mid twenties is the best time to hone your skills and not worry too much about your salaries” but in the process start to be negotiators for salaries, and finally demand for it. “When you earn it, everything becomes so much more beautiful”, she opines.
‘It is important that you learn how to give back to the society’, which she explains may not be all about money but time you can spend with people, sharing your experiences. To which ends, she only feels that the only way we can build our society is by ‘staying positive’.
She also wishes that our children would read more, go outside and play more, be creative, get to know the neighbourhood kids, on which note, she rues that “you don’t see it anymore…you don’t even know who your neighbours are, we’re all strangers” and points out that the places we make friends may only be through the church, school, or work.
Her mantra in life seems to lie in taking everything in life as an opportunity. “I’d advise people not to be stuck in a rut, but go for it!” “Never shut doors, make a new network, build contacts” the ever effervescent lady says.
She looks forward to the future, to the many things that will happen and aims to be a change in somebody’s life, which, it seems, she has already fulfilled as the Proprietor of People Channel. Through it, she has already helped a lot of people to get jobs besides the numerous skills she chose to share on various occasions. She has also, recently trained the new batch of EACs on lifestyle management and is grateful for the opportunity to meet and share ideas with them, and to be a part of these new bureaucrats, as she says it.

Of Tattoes and Nail Painting

Creative art in its many forms is making a huge impact among the young in Nagaland. With its implication on modern lifestyle, ‘trendy’ is in and Kohima is also the perfect place to be when it comes to flaunting the newest techniques of fashion even if it means reviving a long lost art from our distant, and for many, hazy past.
This was one of the reasons why Lemsendong Longkumer found it invigorating to branch out ‘Art Galleria’ which has its base in Mokokchung. Placed neatly in Officers’ Hill, adjacent to Red Cross Building, Kohima, this Tattoo Studio has, for the past year greatly made an impression on passers-by and clients alike for creating an identity of its own.
In an afternoon tête-à-tête, the young artist expressed keenness on pursuing art as a serious profession. He feels that ‘80% of Nagas are interested in art, although they may have different views on it’.
Referring to the art of tattooing of the days of yore, he says that carrying forward the art is ‘almost like doing research on a part of our culture’. And although it is an art that requires painstaking precision, the young man says he thoroughly enjoy what he does.
The creative soul in Lemsendong had led him to sketching and painting from a very young age. Years down the line, he has honed his skill and is living his dream even as he looks to go further in the pa
th he has chosen.
T-shirt paintings, logos and cards are among his specialities, but tattooing is the art that remains close to his heart.
As he goes about skilfully applying his art on the skins of those who desire, Lemsendong is always very stringent with the necessary procedures to ensure that undesirable side effects do not occur. He informs that he uses a special Ayurvedic ink unlike most people who use fabric colour which are reportedly often unhygienic and unsafe.
One may actually like to think that his Animation Course in Arena, Bangalore, has fashioned him well, for it was after this that he started off on his journey of tattooing in the year 2006. Pursuing it briefly in Bangalore, he, however, felt it would be more fulfilling to move homeward and be of service to our own people. There are customers who testify to the perfect work he does and if that’s anything to go by then he has already achieved part of his goal.
It is his interest to also promote the Naga culture and he detests any tattoo designs which are anti-Christ, to which end, he also makes sure that his clients go back with designs they can feel good about in the long run.
Interestingly, a new addition in the ‘Art Galleria’ may come as very good news to its female clients. Having completed a 6-month course from Lambency Chrysallis, Noida last December, Aben Pongen may be one of the first Nail Technicians in the State.
After finishing her course, she says she thought it would be a good idea to get it started in Nagaland. “Why not Nagaland if people are doing it here” she quips, ‘here’ meaning Noida and other places where ‘people wear it for occasions, weddings and other special events’.
The application, she explains, is done leaving one hairline away from the cuticles and normally applied in three strokes. Further enlightening on the art, she says it takes about 45 minutes for ten finger nails and that tools used for nail painting also includes a triple zero brush while dwelling on the use of nail acrylic, most of which have to be procured from outside the state.
Besides meticulously painting the nails with detailed art of her own, other aspects of the nail that she deals with include nail extension that uses gel and UV lamp and lasts for 6 months. An alumnus of Senayangba Higher Secondary School, Aben does not find it necessary to pursue her graduation and rather states that she has ‘always been interested in professional courses’. Apparently, she has found her niche. And to this end, she expresses profuse gratitude to the State Government for the sponsorship that enabled her to take the beautician course.
For the most part, she is delighted that ‘we have become fashion educated’ while also finding it promising that Nail Art will soon catch up here as in the rest of the country. In fact, she states that the art it is relatively new even in India. She also voiced excitement on the venture which she has recently tied up with Art Galleria.
The story behind the connection is that these two young enterprising creative souls are also childhood friends who grew up appreciating art. Today as they run a studio together which serves more than the purpose of fulfilling a dream makes one believe that if anything, art is ready to scale greater heights.
In the wake of youthful zeal and earnest love for things, there is hope that alongside the ‘year of entrepreneurs’, new ventures as well as existing ones will take their flight in the area of entrepreneurship. For this is the need and, surely, some of them are willing to go the distance, and Art certainly is a way to go.

For the love of music

When they take the stage, everything seems to come easy, for they pull a heartstring each time they sing a song and woo a crowd. Calling themselves the “Cotton Country” Band, the six member group has gone around staging numerous shows and winning hearts in various places of Nagaland and outside.
Deeply influenced by oldies, their motives behind singing country is not merely to entertain but also give the crowd something they can understand and relate to. “Most of the musicians can understand all types of music but not everyone in the crowd can”, they explain.
However, their greater goal lies in promoting “the spirit of love, friendship, humanity and charity” through music, as they go back in time and chorus “Music brings people together” for the musicians namely - Senti (Lead Vocalist), Carlos (Lead Guitarist), Adi and SK (Bassists), Kekhrie (Drums) and Alo (Backup Vocals and Rhythm Guitar) never knew each other until they graduated and were all from different backgrounds.
“It’s our passion for music that brought us together” they express as they worked their way up to form the band in 2003, even though they were already performing on stage before that in their own respective ways. When asked why “Cotton Country”, they are quick to explain that cotton is cultivated by farmers, related with country and village people, a life so closely associated to Nagaland. And that’s how we have one of the only two country bands in the state, getting all popular with people above the age of twenty five who never fail to find a piece of soulful music when Cotton Country plays.
Coming out content wherever they perform, they are elated that “everywhere we go, we are given overwhelming response”. “We don’t count the numbers but we are content to play for a happy crowd” is what they profess. To which end, they also add “we play country music because we like it and people like it”.
Senti, the lead guitarist feels that “Music is not music when it fails to reach out to other people’s hearts or fail to entertain the audience” while for the most part, the band says that “we get ourselves easily connected with the crowd because our music suits with every occasion.”
They have done over 100 shows since they came together as a band and have performed for Unions, Weddings, State Banquets, Seminars, Schools and Colleges, Outreach Ministries, Workshops, VIP parties but they recall a get-together rock concert in 2003 as a memorable one where the event was a mixture of rock, heavy metal, rock and roll, blues and jazz etc.
In February 2010, Cotton Country also represented Nagaland State along with two others at the Nehru Yuva Kendra “North East Musical Festival Expo”. Alongside, they staged performances in Chandigarh, Patiala, Muktsar, Kapurthala and Amritsar respectively. Mention may also be made that they were given three consecutive terms to perform in the Hornbill Night Carnival.
For its many fans and anticipating well-wishers, it may be great news that Cotton Country will be giving a Mega Concert in Tseminyu come November besides a Humanity Concert for the Orphanage and 3-5 other private shows that are on the pipeline.
For them, the commercial aspect is secondary as they insist on serenading and bringing on the spirit of joy. They’ve had their share of hardships but the passion within has driven them to commit themselves to music all their lives although they all have their own professional lives to take care of.
Interestingly, they can play all kinds of music- ‘it works that way most times’, one of the members quips… “People ask us to play a particular song on the spot and we get along with it just fine, whether we practiced it or not”. Talk about efficiency, the band has more than it is known to for.
On the music scenario in Nagaland, Cotton Country proclaims that “the state government declaring Nagaland as a Music Industry is music to our ears”. Senti, the lead Vocalist expresses that “one good thing is Naga people enjoy all kinds of music and is not limited to a particular genre. Nagas are musically educated”. He however emphasizes that “we should not only be carried away by the western music” and while stressing on originals says “that’s how our local talent can be promoted”.
Finance, he says should not only be the ulterior motive and adds that “Talent should come first and money secondary”. He feels that “today most youths are into drugs, alcohol and involved with anti-social elements…wasting their lives…I want to tell the people that through music, we can contribute something and bring the good feelings of peace, understanding and love.”
Carlos, the Lead Guitarist expresses that “Music has no language- whether it’s Hindi, English or Korean, when you play with all honesty, people will definitely like it” while Alo, the Backup Vocalist and Rhythm Guitarist sticks to his belief that music should serve the purpose of touching a heart more than it entertains.
Among those who helped them come this far, the band is grateful to a big fan of theirs- T.T Angami, Additional Director of SCERT for donating a sum of Rs.50,000/- when they needed it the most and making their set of instruments complete. Also to the overwhelming response they received from several crowds, they humbly express “…without people’s support, the music will not go along”.
Coming a long way from being influenced by the likes of Eagles, Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley, Beatles, Bob Dylan, Don Williams, Kenny Rogers, John Denver etc, they’ve often played “Hotel California” apart from the popular country “Cotton Fields” and interestingly, even “Sweet Child of Mine”.
However, one of their favourite lines remains “…we may lose, we may win, come on, Take it Easy” and surely enough as they declare alongside that “our passion and love for music is very strong”, Cotton Country promises heart rending songs when they bring on an album of their own someday. And whether they lose or win, their passion’s definitely going to stay.

Romancing the ramp

As an alumnus from the reputed National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, Imcha Imchen has pretty well earned his place and has, by now, captivated quite a crowd in the country. He made his mark in the Fashion World as the First Naga Designer to participate in the Lakme Fashion Week, which they call ‘India ’s most prestigious trade event’.
Drawing inspiration from the simplicity and beauty of his hometown, his tribal roots have along the way blended his creative skills to something more than mere entertainment. He launched his label in 2008, a year after he got his degree from NID and made his debut as one of the Gen Next Designers at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.
By September 2009, he was ‘Emerging Designer’ and finally worked his way up to becoming an ‘Established Designer” and is eager to participate and showcase fabrics woven from Nagaland in another season come September.
But every success story has a beginning even as he confesses of passing through his own share of ‘confused moments’ trying to decide which road to take on. But having grown up with a passion for the creative art, he decided that designing fashion was what he wanted to do.
However, prior to his rendezvous with fashion, he was in Bangalore pursuing a course in Multimedia. He believes his initial interest in ‘Graphic Designing’ had further fuelled the romance that he was to eventually have with the world of fashion.
On the other hand, he has always been taken in by the rich Naga culture and tradition that they are always incorporated in his philosophy. He says that his first inspiration circled around the essence of the whole Naga culture.
Subsequently, he also did a collection inspired by New York based Naga Musician and Songwriter Senti Toy’s song “How many stories do you read on my face”. “I took it my way on parallel lines,” he says while expressing that he was inspired by the music running parallel with fashion per se.
The accomplished designer, who is also an avid traveller, sometimes finds inspiration from the places he goes to and makes particular mention of travelling around villages.
Imcha, who recently came home for a break, thinks that there are ‘a lot of things happening around here’ in terms of fashion. And although he feels that we mostly take fashion as entertainment, which he admits is also part of the industry, he is optimistic that it is a start towards taking fashion to a higher level.
He goes on to explain, “I go to the markets and see people with cool hairdos and the whole mixed culture” while citing the Korean influence as an example…’Certain people would have problem with these kids’, he says but “I don’t see any negativity towards that…those could be fashion”.
For him, it is okay to wear something Indian even when the Naga society has this aversion for their clothing for reasons of their own. Why, wearing a sweat shirt is also borrowed from some place else, he says.
As for the beauty pageant in Nagaland, he opines that “every season you see evolvement and growth” but expresses that apart from the commercialisation aspect, he finds it important to look at the personality development part… ‘Probably should have the young ones incorporated, not only in the show but the management as well,’ he says.
“The whole thought process is more important than the title,” he further emphasises even as he feels that it a necessity to train and groom them to become more than the person contesting in the show. In the long run, it would also help them in their quest for fashion, says Imcha.
Nonetheless, he finds the growth of fashion in Nagaland promising and especially showing keen interest in the handloom and handicraft sector, he strongly feels that these are our strengths. Towards this end, Imcha also voices belief that we can go a long way if these are given proper attention.
While terming the present age an ‘interesting era’, he however said that perhaps it would be even more appealing to have a ‘good mindset’. He confides that he does not allow setbacks or get carried away by what people would think or say when asked about how challenging it is to be in his shoes. “In any profession, there is so much competition”, he says…“sometimes people say it is a little superficial but I think it’s important to have a good mindset”, he pronounces.
A man of many talents, he is also professionally trained in classical piano and folk music but confesses that ‘sometimes you lose interest because you are engrossed in your profession’.
These days, this now well-known Naga designer gets projects from all over but he states his keenness on coming back to Nagaland someday to do ‘something worthwhile’.
The Ahmedabad based Designer from Mongchem Village received his early education from St. Francis De Sales School, Medziphema and went on to Science College before joining St. Joseph’s College in Bangalore.
However, if there is one thing he has carried along even as he set out to conquer the fashion stage it is his tribal roots that so deeply influence his creative mind. The Naga culture and tradition is truly alive in the hands of such wonderful talents.

Dancing for Joy and Unity

If there is a reason why people dance, then this family dance group who call themselves ‘Blue Wings’ has a pretty good cause for tapping their feet to beat of music. Formed on September 17, 2006 ,  by a bunch of young girls, Blue Wings believe in dancing for joy and unity. The five-member group – Dzupalu, Vivi, Sheyetoli and Ca – were especially inspired by their elder sister Lily whose skills in dancing they grew up admiring.
They are mostly self-taught even as the leader of the group, Dzupalu, says – “We listen to songs and we incorporate ideas together”. She explains that before performing for a show, each member brings in 5 steps and then they sit together and choose which ones would best be put together.
And practice indeed has made of them promising dancers of the day. They have come a long way since they came together as a group. Giving time and effort, they have together nurtured their dream over the years. They have also familiarised themselves with all types of dancing, but when asked to choose one, they would most definitely pick hip-hop.
Grooming themselves every free time they get, three years on after the group was formed, they have performed in about 24 occasions making quite an impression even as they express themselves in the language of their art.
The five teens, who are presently studying in Nazareth School Pfutsero, performed their first gig at a school show following which they have taken centre-stage at church programmes, competitions and other social gatherings.
An interesting thing about the group is that they are all from one family – sisters and cousins. One of them excitedly says that their father has provided them a dance room where they can practice and learn new steps. Exceptionally happy about the encouragement from family, their leader says, “We wish to contribute to world peace through dancing.”
When asked how challenging dancing is, on of them replies, “We need to be confident to dance, especially for free styling; we need to learn the steps with passion and have expressive actions as well as relate to the music.”
She goes on to say that “dancing is like exercising our bodies” and adds cheekily, “if you are dancing, you don’t need to exercise to stay in shape.”
The leader of the group was earlier short-listed in a dance audition to be trained at Kolkatta but thought better of it since she wanted to complete her schooling first. However, the group as a whole are devoted to making a career out of dancing.
Blue Wings does everything themselves – from choreographing to selecting music and clothes. Although, of course, they seek advice from their mentor sister, Lily.
On occasions where they have won in competitions, they save the money for further enhancement of the group. One can see the passion they put into dancing when you see them in the act, up on stage.
The group believes that dancing can also be a means towards changing the world.
Speaking their young minds candidly, the girls said despite everything being said about prevailing peace and progress, there is no real peace in the State. They rued the dysfunctions showing up and questioned about regular ‘news of extortion’, domestic abuse cases and other social evils. They expressed the wish that “everybody’s heart is filled with love”.
This enlightened team also thinks politics should separate from money. “Even voters vote to get money,” one of the girls exclaimed adding, “We need to focus on the right leader and not the money. It’s not about NPF or Congress or any party, but to better our society, we need to vote for the right people.”
But when talk about dancing surface, their eyes glitter as they get into the mood of visualising their moves and steps. “Dance includes everything” they say even as they find a lot of positive outcome from dancing.
This promising bunch of girls also plans to stage a full show sometime this year.
True to the team spirit, they profess that wherever the future leads them, “we will continue to carry Blue Wings around.”
Confidence beaming in their faces and dreams of a better future sparkling in their eyes, it’s easy to believe that ‘Blue Wings’ is going to go places and dancing with the stars soon. The common goal and ambition that drives them together is also perhaps the reason why they feel so passionately about dancing and believe that it can play a big role in changing the world.