She’s one of those few Naga Women who made it through Union Public Service Commission, perhaps one of the toughest examinations to crack and the most sought after civil services in the country. And yet Hekali Zhimomi never once took up coaching classes but made it to the elite services in just one attempt. She recalls this phase as something ‘not as hectic as people portray it to be’ and says “because I was well grounded, it wasn’t really a frightening experience”.
In her words, she was “terribly happy” when she made it, which of course was well earned because as she puts it, being thorough with her subjects while pursuing her studies has helped her stand where she is today. She fondly remembers her two years of IAS training at Mussoorie as a happy time with so much of exposure, traveling the breath and length of the country which has skillfully equipped her.
Though interestingly, having graduated in Psychology from Ferguson College , Poona she would have become a Psychologist but her pursuance of Masters Degree in Criminology of Administration from Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai sort of led her into the UPSC Fold. She confesses that her interest in social issues are larger and closer to her heart and goes on to say that “I’ve always wanted to be a part of a system that can address these issues and make policies to lessen it”.
On the confronting crimes of rape surfacing too frequently in the state today, she dishearteningly expresses that “women are instinctively becoming victims to something that is extremely disappointing” because Nagas, she feels have always placed women on equal footing with men. “More and more women are being victimized. I feel it’s because of broken values in our families and in our society” she regretfully adds.
Nonetheless, if you are sitting across her at the Headquarter of the North East Zonal Culture Centre, it’s impossible to deviate from the purpose of this place. She chose to say that her close association with Art and Culture over the past three years has been a great learning experience. “It’s good to come to a place, explore and see what you can do” she delightfully pronounces.
To which end, she has definitely committed herself to streamlining the vibrant culture of North East to the outside world. The expression of art, she explains “cuts across various barriers, there is no difference when it comes to expressing it although Art comes in various forms”. She also feels that “if we really try to communicate art and use cultural expressions even in Nagaland through the diversity of tribes, it would help create a better understanding of each other as a people”. This, she also believes can contribute to making a peaceful society.
“The culture of every state of the North East is very unique that sometimes it amazes me” she continues to say and further expresses that “I think North East is more diversified than any other part of the country”. Ever since she took over as the Director of NEZCC in 2007, 28 documentation works that includes books, audio and visual have been sponsored under the Autonomous Body, identifying young talents of the North East and making dreams come true.
For the most part, the Director enlightens that NEZCC basically carries out a lot of National Cultural Exchange Programme (NCEP) and send folk artists to other parts of the country, providing exposure and on the other hand educate other people about the North East Culture. ‘Lok Tarung’, a National Folk Dance Festival coinciding with each Republic Day is one of its prominent activities, she explains and adds that they also send children for the Republic Day Children’s Parade.
Guru Shishya Param Para Scheme (GSPPS), she says is “a programme where we try and identify dying folk traditions”. In short, the NEZCC supports the State Government in carrying out cultural activities and more closely collaborate with Art and Culture or established NGOs, educational institutions, the most recent collaboration being IGNOU in providing certification who are learning different folk activities.
She also divulges in the two national level sculpture workshops that had been held and delights in the undertaking of the Sculpture Garden at the Dimapur Headquater which she hopes, should be ready by November. “To inspire children and young people to be creative” is one line associated with the Garden in the making.
The 4-day Octave Festival, another prominent feature of NEZCC which is scheduled to be held in November at Surat and Amritsar, she says “will have the participation of 500 North East People including Folk Musicians, Folk Dancers, Choral Group, Western and Fusion, Classical choreographed by noted Padmashri Ratan Thiyam.
One can also look forward to the North East Music Championship for all categories of Music, Classical and Indian, Contemporary Rock where Musicians representing all the NE States will participate. These activities, she says, help them in their “talent hunt and to select them for Regional, National and International level.”
Enlightening a little on the upcoming undertakings, she says a Dancing Troupe from Nagaland will perform in Kuwait during November and for a taste of literary delight, a compilation of short stories by Naga men and women Writers is also likely to be published by the end of this year. An avid writer herself, she says “I’ve always loved writing but started pursuing it after joining service”. She found inspiration in the incidents that took place and in the daily everyday affairs.
Sparing a line or two on the Naga Political Problem, she strongly feels that “the solution will come from within us”. Although she’d rather be tight-lipped, on insistence she expresses that “I feel we Nagas have to be more principled in our approach, in our daily lives, in our public responsibilities” while emphasizing on honesty among all things.
Also with our society almost mourning the vanishing trait of “Dignity of Labour”, she practically points out that “everything starts from a family” and further explains that “if we create an environment where our children can’t work, where they are not taught about household chores etc, they cannot suddenly pick up habits of work”. However, appreciative of Aizawl where everything is run by Mizos themselves, she expresses that “our young boys and girls should not be ashamed to begin their own small ventures.”
Belonging to the Uttar Pradesh Cadre, she joined as Joint Magistrate in Sitapur, ‘literally thrown into Hindi Heartland’ as she puts it and she’s done her share of confronting issues and crimes. She was further in Agra and her deputation to Nagaland also saw her as the Deputy Commissioner Dimapur before she took over as Director, NEZCC.
Humility in her is heartbreakingly admirable and it sure does take a dedicated and an efficient person in the chair to make dreams come true. And although Hekali Zhimomi confesses she’s not a social person at all, the limelight on her refuses to grow dim.
In her words, she was “terribly happy” when she made it, which of course was well earned because as she puts it, being thorough with her subjects while pursuing her studies has helped her stand where she is today. She fondly remembers her two years of IAS training at Mussoorie as a happy time with so much of exposure, traveling the breath and length of the country which has skillfully equipped her.
Though interestingly, having graduated in Psychology from Ferguson College , Poona she would have become a Psychologist but her pursuance of Masters Degree in Criminology of Administration from Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai sort of led her into the UPSC Fold. She confesses that her interest in social issues are larger and closer to her heart and goes on to say that “I’ve always wanted to be a part of a system that can address these issues and make policies to lessen it”.
On the confronting crimes of rape surfacing too frequently in the state today, she dishearteningly expresses that “women are instinctively becoming victims to something that is extremely disappointing” because Nagas, she feels have always placed women on equal footing with men. “More and more women are being victimized. I feel it’s because of broken values in our families and in our society” she regretfully adds.
Nonetheless, if you are sitting across her at the Headquarter of the North East Zonal Culture Centre, it’s impossible to deviate from the purpose of this place. She chose to say that her close association with Art and Culture over the past three years has been a great learning experience. “It’s good to come to a place, explore and see what you can do” she delightfully pronounces.
To which end, she has definitely committed herself to streamlining the vibrant culture of North East to the outside world. The expression of art, she explains “cuts across various barriers, there is no difference when it comes to expressing it although Art comes in various forms”. She also feels that “if we really try to communicate art and use cultural expressions even in Nagaland through the diversity of tribes, it would help create a better understanding of each other as a people”. This, she also believes can contribute to making a peaceful society.
“The culture of every state of the North East is very unique that sometimes it amazes me” she continues to say and further expresses that “I think North East is more diversified than any other part of the country”. Ever since she took over as the Director of NEZCC in 2007, 28 documentation works that includes books, audio and visual have been sponsored under the Autonomous Body, identifying young talents of the North East and making dreams come true.
For the most part, the Director enlightens that NEZCC basically carries out a lot of National Cultural Exchange Programme (NCEP) and send folk artists to other parts of the country, providing exposure and on the other hand educate other people about the North East Culture. ‘Lok Tarung’, a National Folk Dance Festival coinciding with each Republic Day is one of its prominent activities, she explains and adds that they also send children for the Republic Day Children’s Parade.
Guru Shishya Param Para Scheme (GSPPS), she says is “a programme where we try and identify dying folk traditions”. In short, the NEZCC supports the State Government in carrying out cultural activities and more closely collaborate with Art and Culture or established NGOs, educational institutions, the most recent collaboration being IGNOU in providing certification who are learning different folk activities.
She also divulges in the two national level sculpture workshops that had been held and delights in the undertaking of the Sculpture Garden at the Dimapur Headquater which she hopes, should be ready by November. “To inspire children and young people to be creative” is one line associated with the Garden in the making.
The 4-day Octave Festival, another prominent feature of NEZCC which is scheduled to be held in November at Surat and Amritsar, she says “will have the participation of 500 North East People including Folk Musicians, Folk Dancers, Choral Group, Western and Fusion, Classical choreographed by noted Padmashri Ratan Thiyam.
One can also look forward to the North East Music Championship for all categories of Music, Classical and Indian, Contemporary Rock where Musicians representing all the NE States will participate. These activities, she says, help them in their “talent hunt and to select them for Regional, National and International level.”
Enlightening a little on the upcoming undertakings, she says a Dancing Troupe from Nagaland will perform in Kuwait during November and for a taste of literary delight, a compilation of short stories by Naga men and women Writers is also likely to be published by the end of this year. An avid writer herself, she says “I’ve always loved writing but started pursuing it after joining service”. She found inspiration in the incidents that took place and in the daily everyday affairs.
Sparing a line or two on the Naga Political Problem, she strongly feels that “the solution will come from within us”. Although she’d rather be tight-lipped, on insistence she expresses that “I feel we Nagas have to be more principled in our approach, in our daily lives, in our public responsibilities” while emphasizing on honesty among all things.
Also with our society almost mourning the vanishing trait of “Dignity of Labour”, she practically points out that “everything starts from a family” and further explains that “if we create an environment where our children can’t work, where they are not taught about household chores etc, they cannot suddenly pick up habits of work”. However, appreciative of Aizawl where everything is run by Mizos themselves, she expresses that “our young boys and girls should not be ashamed to begin their own small ventures.”
Belonging to the Uttar Pradesh Cadre, she joined as Joint Magistrate in Sitapur, ‘literally thrown into Hindi Heartland’ as she puts it and she’s done her share of confronting issues and crimes. She was further in Agra and her deputation to Nagaland also saw her as the Deputy Commissioner Dimapur before she took over as Director, NEZCC.
Humility in her is heartbreakingly admirable and it sure does take a dedicated and an efficient person in the chair to make dreams come true. And although Hekali Zhimomi confesses she’s not a social person at all, the limelight on her refuses to grow dim.
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