Mount Carmel Orphanage ~ Home away from home

There are stains of a painful past written on their innocent faces even as they try to find back their childhood in the quiet of a peaceful village.

Mount Carmel Home in Sukhalu Village, which is some 154 kilometers away from the state capital in Zunheboto district has become home for these children since the past few years.

They hail mostly from conflict areas, who lost their parents to insurgency, and some of those who also got separated from their families as a result of broken homes and poverty.

To give back something worthwhile to the society was the vision of Dr. Inakhe Sumi, through whose large heartedness, this home was born in the year 2009.

“Our duty is to take initiative…most of my life I had been in the government service. I am retired now and I feel that it’s time to give a little part of my service to the people”, this ex government employee says.

He knew the pangs of growing up without parents, having lost his mother in his early childhood. And likewise, his wife understood his dreams of running this home because she lost her father when she was also at a young age.

However, even with such a noble venture in place, it was never an easy job to start parenting children of different races coming from different backgrounds. But they held on to their dreams and it was mostly joy when they found 5 new children to share life with.

Right from the beginning, there were more children who wanted to join but due to insufficient space for accommodation, some of them were left out. But as their family grew, today, they are parents to 12 children including 4 Zeliangs, 1 Chakhesang, 3 Nepalis, 3 Adhivasis and 1 Sema, to add to their own 5 biological children.

What is really worth mentioning is the fact that these children have seen pain before the prime of their lives began. One of the kid’s father for instance, was murdered in a farm in Dimapur, while he only had a step mother, who also left him behind, alone in the world.

And for strange reason, most of these children want to join the Army when they grow up even as it was learnt that their love for toy guns is extraordinary.

Who knows what their future holds but rest assured, they have a home to call their own now. Aged between 4-16 years, these children attend the LP School in Sukhalu Village and when they are finished there, they go to Zunheboto for higher education.

Growing up the indigenous way, the home has its own paddy cultivation nearby among other farming like poultry, piggery, goatery and a kitchen garden.

With two full time teachers including a Theologian Hovitoli and John Zeliang from Jalukie, who also grew up in the Orphanage, and 2 other cooks, they are definitely in safe hands as they animatedly chat in Nagamese or English.

Dr.Inakhe Sumi, who is also the present VCC of Sukhalu Village finds joy in being with the children and expresses that “these kids are much better controlled, they are more initiative and easier to groom”.

All the children know they are orphans, but are, without doubt, happy to be in a comforting place, and building up a new family. He says that sometimes, they do get phone calls from their relatives, as some of them have other foster parents.

And while his aspirations for the children are plenty, his greatest hope is to see them in comfortable shoes, abled and independent.

“One day I would like to see these children taking care of themselves, self-sufficient and happy”, he expresses before closing the conversation. 

Entrepreneurs Associates ~ Impacting Lives

When a group of first generation entrepreneurs defied the odds by taking to the streets their pleasure to keep ‘dignity of labour’, they weren’t quite sure if it would go well with the crowd in the near future. As students of standard 12, they made the best use of their vacations in the early nineties and sold newspapers to start with.

While they were greatly influenced by the thinking process shared by personalities like Rev. Wati Aier, Niketou Iralu, and Visier Sanyu, who spoke a lot on changing the perspective of the people and practicing dignity of labour, CEO of Entrepreneurs Associates (EA), Neichute Doulo to this day, confesses that their thoughts had huge impact on students like them during 1990-91.

The pioneer organization for entrepreneurs in the state as the brainchild of Neichute Doulo has come a long way today, having worked for the last 12 years in promoting entrepreneurship in Nagaland. As a perfect example himself, he dared to break away from the generous conception of holding a government service, which has always been thought as the ultimate dream of the society.

Even when he was expected to be in the government sector, more so, for being the first postgraduate from his village, he resigned from lectureship to dedicate full-time service to the cause of entrepreneurship.

Starting off with Reach Home Services in 1998, EA, under his competent leadership has 3000 members today, spread over 10 districts of Nagaland. It can confidently take pride in providing Micro finance to about 3000 farmers engaged in agri-allied activities and helping more than 2500 youths to become self-employed till date. On a modest count, the Association has generated meaningful employment to 3000 youths across the state.  It has channelized about Rs.35 Crores for Micro Finance through its partnership with Financial Institutes, Corporates, Social Investors and EA member contributions, and has, more significantly repaid back Banks and social investors their capital with interests. 

To keep an organization growing was never without hard work, or sacrifice. But it seems their efforts have paid off as EA went on to receive India’s first ever Citizens’ Base Award from the Ashoka Innovators in December 2001 at New Delhi.

Clearly seen as a figure for social change, Neichute was also the 5^th Recipient of Naga Mothers Association Award in 2003 for developing Entrepreneurship, sharing platform with the likes of previous recipients including Geoffrey Yaden, Niketou Iralu, and Gokhale. The Chakhesang Youth Front had also given him a lifetime Achievement Award on the basis of being a Social Entrepreneur, and a youth who has immensely contributed to social change.

And yet, dreamers never stop aiming for bigger dreams.

Neichute hopes for EA to make entrepreneurs of at least 10,000 people and expresses that they still have a long way to go because they have not yet reached a total of 3000 presently. He also wishes to see that Naga people become tax payers by 2025, but before that, he has a dream to see Nagaland having an International Airport by 2015.

When asked how EA wishes to contribute towards making this a reality, he simply states that “I believe that once we have a group, a number of serious dynamic people who are not just movers of traders in Nagaland but across North East and India and even abroad, it would become possible.”

Strongly expressing keenness on making this viable, he professes seriousness on building the tallest growth of entrepreneurs in the state while also putting forward that Nagaland now, has lots of shopkeepers which is just the beginning, and emphasizes on creating big business people. “If we have at least few thousands real enterprising Naga people, then the meaning of having an International airport will become real”, he says.

Another concern, he pointed out is that there are no seasoned 3 star hotels in Nagaland for business people from outside to come in and stay. To which end, he also expresses that “our level of entrepreneurship in Nagaland is very poor.”

But without giving up hope, he insists that “there are lots of challenges to think big, and even without the support of banks, we must continue to grow.” “This is the game and challenge for Members of EA”, he says but he was, at the same time glad that they have got the confidence of some of the banks.”

For somebody whose heart goes out for building the state’s economy, it means so much that the Government of Nagaland has declared year 2010-11 as the Year of Entrepreneurs, which has further been extended for another year. “It is a big gesture that the government has given us”, he says with gratitude.

Many young entrepreneurs would, today, testify without any second thoughts that EA, has been the driving force in their careers. With many success stories to share, it has definitely changed the tide of many people’s course of living and it is this change that EA continues to strive for.

Even as the CEO goes on to term the CM Corpus Seed Money of Rupees One Crore as the Dream Loan which was disbursed to 84 selected entrepreneurs as micro finance early this year, it’s obvious that it remains the prime objective of EA to shape the economy of Nagaland by way of enterprising the young and able, and more importantly, inculcate in them, dignity of labour. 

Chekrovelü Swuro ~ Aiming for the stars

Even with the latest commendable feat of the Indian National Women Archery team that won Silver in the 46th World Archery Championships held in Turin, Italy in July 2011, Chekrovolü Swuro, as one of the three-member team still feels that her Greatest Award is yet to be won. 

She has put the map of Nagaland to a global audience in the field of Archery but there is no air of pride in her, as she strictly confesses to being a daughter of the land, who grew up in an ordinary family. 

But her achievements are, by all means worth celebrating, although she refuses to take credit for making India proud. In her almost 2 decades of mastering Archery, she has represented India in over 30 Tournaments held in more than 30 countries across the world including Bangkok, China, US, Iran, London, Turkey, Italy among others. 

During these series of events, she has immensely contributed to bringing home numerous Bronze and Silver Medals from the World Championships and Asian Games but the Individual Silver that she won way back in 1999 in Bangkok remains a precious feat for her.

She has many winning moments to recall but she still insists that these victories would not have been possible if it weren’t for her sister, Vesevolü who is an Archer herself. Recalling how she took her first test at Patiala in Punjab Under-14 Archery Championship in 1995, she affirms that her sister has been her mentor all the way.

“Whatever I am today is because of her”, she confesses as she looks back on the times when her dad used to encourage her to follow in her sister’s footsteps. “My Mom was a bit hesitant”, she expresses, but commits to having the greatest support from her sister for all times.

She remembers with fondness her four years’ training in the Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur which she completed in 2002. Although deprived of experiencing High School & College life, she doesn’t seem to regret taking the road less traveled.

Her passion for the game stayed even with the challenge of adjusting to several weather conditions, lifestyles, food habits and the like. These are little hurdles she comes across each time she sets out to play for a world audience. But she enjoys the pleasure of seeing new places and making new friends, and with such simplicity expresses that her tiredness from a journey vanishes the moment she sees the beauty of a particular place.

But unmistakably, it is her love for the game that has brought her this far. One can see that she is committed to it even as she plans on giving her best shot for as long as she is able and someday she wishes to come back home and impart whatever knowledge and experience she has gained about Archery in the state.

She is encouraged to see that Nagaland has an Archery Academy now, as well as the growth of Sepaktakraw here while expressing that this is one improvement in the state as far as sports is concerned. However, she is mindful of the fact that there is no enough facility for sportspersons here. Otherwise, she feels that Nagas can really excel in sports.

Currently at the India Coaching Camp in Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, Chekrovolü is undergoing training for participation in various international tournaments including the 3rd Archery World Cup in the USA, the 2nd Asian Archery Championship in Iran, Olympic Test Event in London and the 4th Archery World cup at Shanghai China all scheduled for this year.

The Ace Archer keenly expresses that it is ultimately the Olympic Games that people in her field aim for. Even with a couple of tourneys coming up before the London Olympic Games 2012, it is her hope to be part of it throughout. And yet, she is aware that participation in the Olympics would solely depend on her performances in the upcoming tournaments.

Interestingly, Archery seems to be in the family’s genes as she excitedly informs of her younger brother, Thepuvoyi who has joined her and her sister in the field. Both of them will be participating in the 3rd Archery World Cup in the USA scheduled to be held next month from August 2-7, 2011.

Even with holidays a hard bargain, one can see her passion for the game but when asked what it means to her, she reasonably states that it is just one aspect of life. “There are a lot of other important things like family…that comes together to make life” she says.

Over and above, she insists that she is trying to make the best use of the God-given Gift, for which she is grateful. And of course, despite all the hard work that has reaped her great success, she is thankful to the state government while making particular mention of the Chief Minister of Nagaland, who is also the President of the Nagaland Olympic Association for his full support.

She also remembers how the state government extended her financial help to buy her bow when she first started off. The eighth daughter in the family from amongst 10 children, the champ from Dzulhami Village has come a long way. 

Naga Students' Union Delhi ~ For the welfare of the students

Too often, students’ leaders are put in the sideline. Notwithstanding the fact that they work for the welfare of the community, I am often skeptical about Students’ Unions or Associations.

But the heart of the matter is often something else genuine that needs to be appreciated, just as the President of the Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD), Boveio Poukai Duo says, “it is a Big Responsibility”. I agree, primarily because being a students’ leader in the capital of India with over 22000 registered members could never be an easy task.

He says, the challenge therein lies “expectation of the people” as he goes on to express “people expect so much from us…any incident and everybody starts calling up.” This, regardless of whether they have the answers or not. It makes it all the more challenging with Delhi being dubbed as the rape capital of India and our people have been victims of various crimes in this place.

To this end, he strongly feels that as Nagas residing in the Capital of India, “it is our responsibility to understand their culture” while pointing to instances where Nagas tend to party late till 3:00 to 4:00 AM in the morning. He went on to explain that “this is something our people never do at home”. He also emphasizes that “they must not forget that they are not in their actual homeland, not a foreign country as such”, and states, ‘take for instance, a Punjabi or a non-Naga trying to act smart in our place….perhaps when we try to place ourselves in their shoes, we will also realize our mistake and act responsibly”, he adds.

He maintains that crime can take place anytime or anywhere while expressing that there is stealing, discrimination or rape everywhere and affirms that “the only thing I can say is we must understand the culture of the place we are residing at and live accordingly”. On the other hand, he feels that 80% of the problem faced in Delhi is from the non-students, especially people who are neither working nor studying.

Towards this end, he asserts that parents do have an important role to play. While it disheartens him that elders most often brand those who join students unions ‘as a bunch of hopeless people’ (in his words), he firmly states that it is not a last resort and avers that it takes so much sacrifice, time and commitment to be involved. “I feel we are people with a dream to serve our people in the long run”, he says.

Expressing that parents keep telling their students not to be part of the organization but concentrate only in their studies, he finds it disappointing that the Union is however held responsible and answerable when their children land up in trouble. “We are at the receiving end”, he dejectedly says, while bringing back the challenge of living up to the expectation of the people which, he pointed out is their desire for “NSUD to be the rescuer to every problem”.

But one thing is certain even as he puts it this way- “not only in good times but in bad times, NSUD as an organization working for the welfare of the students’ community, is trying our best to bring all round development”.

The 48th President of Naga Students’ Union Delhi personally has a dream to work for our people. “A wonderful Nagalim”, according to him and to realize this dream, he says, “NSUD is the best platform…this is some place where I am given a chance to be tested- whether I’ll be successful in the long run or not”. He is happy that most of his executives are committed and dedicated and have been working for the students on a full-time basis during their tenure.

This year, the Union assisted over 1500 fresh students, most of them Nagas for admission to various colleges and universities in Delhi. Established in the year 1963 on 25th August, the Naga Students’ Union Delhi has come a long way as one of the biggest and oldest organizations in the capital.

Some of the activities it holds annually are Freshers’ Meet, Nagas’ Nite, Sports Week and conducting at least 4-5 seminars based on several topics of social, economic and political importance.

During Boveio Poukai Duo’s current tenure as the President, an Information Handbook on basic rights has been launched and the latest project being the NSUD Newsletter, a first of its kind by Nagas in Delhi.

The Union does the painstaking task of visiting the Police Station at least thrice a week, and sometimes more, either to bail out somebody or make a compromise. Besides, its participation is seen in several other seminars and workshops, or rallies of different kinds so long as it stands for a social cause or a democratic rally.

One of the many things they do also include efforts to keep the Nagas from Myanmar in Delhi connected to the Union. The Union professes to function for the promotion and upholding of cultural heritage, educational development, fraternity and integrity of the Nagas and above all to secure the unity of the Union.

For one last measure of thought, and the President gratefully states that the NSUD is privileged to have Mr. Kuole Mere, PRO Nagaland House & Advisor to NSUD, and Mr. Wezope Kenye, DRC, Nagaland House for their unceasing support at all times.