Richard Belho ~ An Architect by Design

He grew up thinking he would get into Fine Arts or Hotel Management but decided otherwise along the way. Richard Belho was introduced to Architecture by his persistent Aunt, which, he admitted wasn’t a bad decision he made after all.

Today, he is a household name when it comes to architecture and is more popularly known as a Bamboo Architect, even as he went on to receive the Bamboo Pioneer Award instituted by the World Bamboo Organisation for his contribution to bamboo sector development in India.

Talking about this, he says “I have a special affinity towards Bamboo because I believe it is the material for the future” and goes on to explain that “soon with Proper R&D, Bamboo will be the most Preferred Building Construction Material. This will have a huge impact on the Rural Economy too without any adverse effect on the environment. Bamboo has a special connection with us and that is why I am passionate with it.”

The Graduate from BMSCE Bangalore has indeed come a long way with his passion, as he recalls choosing to study Architecture and describing that he really fell in love with the Profession. Even more importantly, he says “I am very contended because Architecture has given me the training to think creatively and to work passionately”.

He did work in Bangalore in a highly professional environment for 4 years but insists that he felt more drawn to working with our People, which is why, he explains, “I had to come back to Nagaland, so that I could contribute to our society in my fullest capacity.”

Leaving behind opportunities outside the state and coming home to stay is always a challenging one, which he noticed in the way things were crude initially, or the too many unskilled people involved in the construction industry, to which end, he also ruefully adds “even the general public did not know the role of an Architect.” However, things perhaps changed for better, as he expresses gratitude for the support as well of people and well wishers who helped, overcome the initial obstacles easily.

Ever since, he has been working in the field and is also a co-opted member in the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency, which involves handling most of the Architectural R&D for the Agency. “As Consultants, we have designed the Directorate for LRD, Industries and Commerce, Urban Development, Capital Cultural Hall etc”, he says.

The Architect is also actively involved with permaculture activities and is interestingly, further working with Marina on recording Traditional Angami Songs, as well as some of the young Naga IT professionals like Yanger Lemtur in creating online marketing opportunities for local entrepreneurs through a group he had created on FaceBook called N.O.O.B.s.

‘Zynorique Initiative’, an architectural firm which came into being during the Spring of 2002 is also his brainchild. He says that “this was an offshoot from our main Consultancy to train our Youths mainly in the Building Construction Sector.” To which end, he is grateful that with the full support of the State Government, they have been conducting regular Training sessions for Naga Youths since 2003.

He says that “the initial obstacle was tackling our youths” while expressing further that “they had such short attention span and most were only interested in Easy Money. But I guess it is not very difficult to change that mindset now that we have motivated Youths working with us in RCC works, woodworking, Bamboo Construction, bamboo toys etc.”

Another motivating aspect of the ‘Zynorique Initiative’ is the fact that only local youths were employed for the construction of its office from start to finish. One half was constructed entirely of Bamboo (double storeyed structure) while the other Half with RCC.

Going into details, he informs that “Sunup and his Bamboo Team worked on the Bamboo Structure while Kevisikho and his RCC team worked on the other half and Alibu & his woodworking team did the carpentry.” The Office, he says, was designed as a Relaxed Environment where the usage of cubicles was minimized with all the Bamboo Floor Boards and Wall Panels locally manufactured at NBRC, Dimapur.

On the other side of the topic, he feels that “the craze for Government Jobs is a handicap in our thinking process” and regretfully remarks that “there is a craze for easy money too and these attitudes are like Cancer to our society. If the target for our Average Naga is just to earn money to construct a Commercial Building and collect Rent, then there is no contribution to the society apart from paying Taxes.”

“The Average Youth is still capable of starting out different private ventures that will help build up our Society. I have so much faith in the ability of our Naga Youths and I believe with proper guidance we shall learn to stand on our own feet and prosper too”, he says.

Even as he lays emphasis on hard work, he points out that “there is a need for every Naga to understand the Dignity of Labour” and further says that “we have to earn every paise through hard work.”

The Architect is deeply concerned that there is lack of Ownership Mentality among Nagas and presses on saying “we have no care for our Environment, for our People. This Land belong to us and we have stop living like a Stranger in our own Land. There is also necessity to remove fear and mistrust amongst ourselves so that we may be thankful to one another as we live our lives.”

Nonetheless, also as a meber of YouthNet Plus and YI, he hopes to be actively involved with the Youth and optimistically expresses “I am looking forward to the day when our Locals can stand on our own feet and excel in whatever we do.”

But before closing, he feels the need to thank the State Government for the Proactive approach to the Problems of the Youth by creating numerous opportunities while observing that “in just one decade, we have seen and felt the empowerment for the local Naga youth” and goes on to make mention of Alemtemshi(IAS), Norman Putsure(IAS), Abeio Kire(IFS), Director Ken Keditsu(UDD), Contractor Vilelie Khamo and Er. Rokosalie for their continuous support to their office and activities.

Needless to say, but he is obviously thankful to his family for all their support and his Colleagues for trusting him and above all, “God, for giving me the opportunity to do what I do and to be able to reach out in my own small way.”

Born on 7th June 1975 to Sabina and Patrick, Richard Belho also has an elder brother - Edward Belho who is presently the State Counsel at Supreme Court. They say “hard work always pays”, and that, combined with “passion” has definitely brought him far.