Chibeni Murry~ Who says Hard Work does not pay?

Among her many dreams, Chibeni Murry was exceptionally drawn to social work. She rationally states that as a kid everybody has dreams and ambitions in life but very few fulfil them. Likewise, she grew up with lots of dreams but confesses that she held a special corner for social work even then.
As one who always wanted to be independent and responsible for herself, it appears that she achieved this feat in her early teens as she started working for an NGO called Transformation Resource Centre while she was still in college. She was part of the Resource Centre for three years as a teacher and recalls it as a challenge because it meant teaching underprivileged children from all corners of slum areas and the downtrodden who had little or no idea about education.

But she also remembers it as as a fulfilling experience, more so, because she was part of the transformation that saw through slum kids to some of the finest schools like CHSS and Bronson.

This she considers her biggest achievement before her career took another turn.
“I never knew my life would take another interesting turning point with the Marriott, until the People Channel recruited for the Pune Marriott in Nagaland. We were about 60 Naga youths who got selected and had gone as the first batch. The interview was a big turning point in my life,” she recollects.
Before delving further into her journey at Marriot, she, however, expresses, “First of all, a Big Thanks to Rozelle Mero MD of The People's Channel who has been bringing opportunities for our Naga youths and helping them achieve so many things in life.”
But almost with a tinge of pain, she adds, “But sad to say that many youths prefer to stay unemployed and live off their parents. They do not want to start anything in life! If we start respecting every work and put a start, there is nowhere else where anyone can work as hard as Naga youths. I'm giving this statement with experience and after witnessing the hard work of our Naga friends. Only if we Naga youths learn to have little patience, humility and take up ownership, then there won't be anyone who'll have to live off their parents but proudly be independent in all aspects.”
Talking of Pune Marriott Hotel and Convention, where she works, she says, “I first started working in the front office as an Associate in Marriott Club but later transferred to Food and Beverage.” As her journey began here, she states that “this was the most challenging task for me because I had to study so much, perform double of that and dedicate all my time”.
She was a server then, until her Food & Beverage Manager, Sushant Rege, insisted on her handling the ‘bar arts’, which, she expresses “was again impossible for me as I had to learn, study and explore every single bit of the bar.” Every day, she feels, was a new day filled with new challenges and tasks, but insists on not giving up. One of the challenges being she never studied Management, but felt the need to prove herself.
“Everything was new to me since I was a complete fresher with no Management background, everything they taught and I learnt was so brand new. From the glass wares to the table setup and the types of services and the sequence…everything was new and so many things which I actually never encountered in my life. It was also a challenge to deal with the local people and learn their culture, traditions and specifically food habits”, she says, while stating there is nothing like axone and smoked pork as a side note. In the meantime, she observes: “It was hard for us to make them realize that Nagaland is a part of India and we are not foreigners…they would always question if Nagaland was a part of India why did we never read in books in Schools? That was actually the question which I always had in my mind, why is "Nagaland" not mentioned in any of the school books?”
And as she puts these thoughts across, she also hopes this would be of a considerate question to be answered for those responsible people.
She strongly believes that the hard work, time and effort she put into her job never went in vain even as she found it fulfilling to have been promoted to Food and Beverage Executive after slogging for one and half years.
Actually, she confesses, “It came as a very big surprise for me because a total fresher with no management background trying to prove myself and competing with dozens of experienced hoteliers and getting selected was an achievement for me.”
Understandably, she feels proud to have got into the industry with nothing but hard work and for being rewarded for the same. Suitably, this is also the message she wishes to convey… “If we put in a little hard work and dedication, we will surely succeed in life. So start with your life's journey and achieve when you're still young because this is your time.”
Someday, “home” is definitely the place she would love to come back to….if only to share whatever she has learnt. ‘I'd love to extend it to our land and contribute in whatever way possible’, she conveys as a last note.

Box & Blossoms

‘Box & Blossoms’ exhibits colour, vibrancy and creativity. It is a reflection of a welcoming culture that young people today delve in by thinking out of the box. A heart warming concept that grew out of a young professional, Sentila Longchar, ‘Box and Blossoms’ was born as a result of her immense interest that is closely embedded to her childhood.

But it was not until 2010 that she thought about turning the unique packaging into production. With a short training that she undertook, Sentila managed to refine the entire process of box making, and eventually started the production of gift boxes ideal for occasions such as Weddings & Anniversaries, Birthdays & Showers, Christmas & Easter, Holidays and any other special event, initially in partnership with YouthNet during June 2010.
Box and Blossoms now operates as a home based production under her supervision. But Sentila fully acknowledges that she owes the success of this creative project to YouthNet, even as she recalls the immense support she received from this organisation, while making special mention of Hekani Jakhalu.
The fine handmade boxes were an attraction during the 2010 Hornbill Festival, which, because of its quality and beauty, also garnered much attention. Some of those who were introduced to the products were obviously taken in by the pretty boxes made of paper that orders immediately followed. But Sentila speaks of a wedding, which she says was the first major order – and it happened in the same year that she started production!
Box and Blossoms, as the name suggests, is a mix and match of two elements - boxes and flowers. But to complete the picture is a creative mind, blending rich ideas, colours, designs, ribbons, flowers, shapes and sizes. In the process of running the production, Sentila Longchar also trained two people in this creative field, and while catering to bigger number of orders, she would employ young people, identifying those who would need it the most.
Such part time employees have included school dropouts besides others who were at loose ends at that moment. While being partially employed in this endeavour, Sentila has encouraged them to pursue their dreams, and it is indeed commendable that in making use of the fleeting opportunity, some of these youths went on to pursue their further studies while some of them went for trainings based on their interests.
Sentila is herself a lawyer by profession, currently practicing at the Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench. But despite her busy schedule, she still finds time for Box and Blossoms, which, she likens to a favourite hobby that she has never left; something that she pursued in her free time even during college days. As an in-house production for now, she caters to most of the orders by herself mostly in the evenings (after work), although for big orders like weddings, she indulges the help of those she had trained earlier.
She is especially excited with a new concept she introduced to box and blossoms this year: Favours. Also, with the wedding season just brewing up ahead, she is looking forward to an upcoming wedding where she is catering to the favours with the use of candles and diyas. Over the years, she has only added more colours and designs to the box packagings with her innovative ideas.
It does take a lot of patience because it is a time-consuming affair, owing to the fact that it’s all handmade. But Sentila takes great pleasure in engrossing herself in this beautiful world of boxes and blossoms, which she also seem to perfectly balance with her other profession.
Think of occasions that keep happening round the clock and one would find the concept extremely resourceful because it looks like a great one stop for any special occasion with finely made products ranging from gift boxes to corsages and wedding favours.
If you don’t find her engaged in legal affairs or making boxes, Sentila would be in the world of books, reading, or travelling, even as she confesses that these are two other things she enjoys doing the most.
But over and above, she deems it “important for a girl to have something creative in her hands”. As for her, it seems she already has that grip on creativity, even as she colours events and occasions with flowers, beauty and sweet little things.

Vikhor Tepa~ A Glimpse into an Artist's Soul

Pens, pencils, oil, acrylic, and colours are some of the tools you would find in an artist’s world.  These are not just ordinary materials that make somebody an artist, but the command over these tools that sets them apart from the ordinary.

Born to a family of artists beginning with his painter father, Vikhor Tepa was inexplicably drawn to art since he was six. Although art was never really a subject in school, he says, “we did have drawing classes, which is normally a free period, but I’d make sure that I am drawing something…it’s just the interest, the love of art that I kept drawing in school.”

With such passion exhibited at a tender age, it comes as no surprise that he has won over 15 awards as a high school student both in the state and at the national level, the competitions, which, he agrees, also encouraged him to pursue art further.

Over 20 decades of exploring art, sketching, painting, sculpting and the like, by now, he has hundreds of artworks, some of which adorns the homes of art lovers even in far flung places like the USA and Japan, apart from the Kohima Art Museum. One of his works also beautifies the walls of the prominent Indian Filmmaker, Shyam Benegal.

He has also exhibited his works at the India Habitat Centre & India International Centre, New Delhi, as well as the Reflection Art Gallery in Delhi, where he previously worked as a Curator & Manager for 2 years, and of course, on numerous occasions in the state including “Beloved”, which showcased some of his exclusive artworks and his brother’s (Seyie Tepa), who is also a recipient of Governor’s Award in the field of Art.

Vikhor Tepa studied English Literature from Delhi University before he decided to pursue a 4 years’ degree in Fine Arts from the College of Art, Delhi. This, actually drew a little hesitation because although his father is an artist himself, art as a profession was never really seen as a lucrative job.

But he recalls with contentment his experience at the college of art and thereafter working at the Reflection Art Gallery as Manager & Curator. With the focus mostly on conducting workshops, looking into issues such as disparity, female infanticide, violence against women, etc, he says, “it was a very different experience for me because my inspiration is mostly from home, the people and the culture, but being part of these workshops gave me a new experience and opened my mind to new issues, which necessarily does not take place at home.”

He started with painting, got trained as a painter, learned the use of oils, acrylic, water colours and the several mediums and techniques with which art is born and created. It is obvious that his energy went into painting, but he also picked photography along the way, specifically, while he was in college. “I’d go out in the street and shoot…it’s very different from home, very busy life out there, but being in the city gave me a very different perspective to even capture things though my camera”, he recalls.

He believes that there is a connection between painting and photography in the sense that both things are pictures through different mediums. Photography, he says, helps you capture the moment but emphasizes that “painting has more emotion.” “There are some things I’d forget if I had not taken the picture, and so photography helps me retain thoughts and ideas”, he confesses.

Given a choice, he says, he would pick painting any day although of late, he has been doing more of photography just to get more command over photography.

There is also something called “Installation Art” which is not confined to a gallery space. He experimented his first installation at Mussoorie during an Art Retreat, wherein they actually went outdoors to paint but the sight of a rock with a huge crack inspired him to do something different and neatly filled the rock. Aptly called “Healing the Wound”, Vikhor says that “sometimes you just make it and leave it there, it is more of a permanent medium since installation art involves more labour, effort and time.”

In the recent times, he has also been experimenting “furniture designs”, some of his fine workds that include impressive lamps, stools and other things, which, he calls it, some of his newer experiment. When asked how this came about, he says, “been away from home for too long, I realized that it is very difficult even to get a piece of wood in the city, but when I came back, I found that there are so many things lying around me…with those collection, I thought I’d make something.”

While on the other hand, he loves outdoors, and would be trekking and hiking when not painting. The keen adventurer in him has taken him to Dzükou as many as 7 times; he has also gone trekking to Japfü, Puliebadze, Kapamodzü and is looking forward to exploring Saramati soon. He doesn’t mind carrying around his camera that weighs 3 kgs just because he does not want to regret later. Dzükou valley, one can see has immensely fascinated him, which, is also why he has been there in all the different seasons.

Talk of colours, and it’s back to painting even as he quickly responds with “Green and Black”. Green, because it signifies life and is the main product in Nagaland. We are always surrounded by green and I feel alive when I see green, he explains, while black is because, it is strong and although dark, it is only in the dark that something becomes prominent, he adds.

Art, for him is something that can be conveyed through pictures, colours, shades and is a self expression of the Artist even as he strongly conveys that “Art is a very powerful tool and if not used carefully, can be destructive not only for the artist but the society at large.” His paintings often speak for themselves as they are very direct projection. More on his art and he says, that “so far I’ve done mostly works which has a story in it, to tell stories through art. Coming from an oral culture with no recorded history, it’s like documenting a culture in a way.”

But to make art a profession is a real challenge. “I would not be wrong to say that all artists struggle because no doubt, art is expensive…it’s not just the product but the connection the artists start to build. There are works that artists are not willing to part for any price.”

He further enlightens that a painting is expensive because it cannot be produced as a mass production. “It is a unique piece although there is no guarantee that your work is going to sell.” However, the consolation when you sell your art, he says, is that it is with someone and it’s still there somewhere. He finds great joy in a finished work, just  looking at a finished painting, sit there and watching it for a long long time gives you satisfaction, not because it is going to sell, but is a finished work.

Well, the love of art has taken him places…he has attended and conducted workshops in several places across the country including Delhi, Varanasi, Mussoorie, Dimapur, Kohima. He has judged several painting competitions held on occasions such as World Bamboo Day, Fire Safety Week, Rabindranath’s Birth Anniversary, Set Designs during Hornbill Ball and also Doordarshan Kohima. 

He won the first Hornbill Photo Hip Fest Competition, and also featured in the consolation list for the same competition last year while in painting, he is a winner in the 24th Nagaland State Art exhibition from 1st-7th December 2009, as well as the Recipient of the Young Talent award instituted by the NEZCC.

It is towards his endeavour in promoting art that someday, he would like to set up a studio and have artists work together on a weekly or monthly basis…a platform where public will have more accessibility and not only the artists but the public will also understand art better. One of his future plans also include an International Art Retreat Centre, a place where artists and art lovers, writers, photographers, anyone can come, set somewhere away from the city, just to be with fellow artists, and also bring tourism to the state while enabling local artists and international artists learn from each other. The Painter/Photographer/Art Teacher who also gives home based art classes has recently formed a group called “Artists Collective”, just to create an art movement, to meet and encourage each other.

To a young artist with such creativity, only the sky is the limit.

The Passionate Foodie

While it seems Henry Chisüte spent quite a number of years trying several other pursuits, he ultimately went back to living one of his biggest and first dreams. That he is passionate about food is easy to see the moment you strike a conversation with him.
One may find it interesting to learn that he had a couple of other careers in mind before he took the big plunge and settled for a Chef & a Baker rolled into one, which, given the society’s attitude are not the fanciest of ambitions. If you ask him of childhood, he will tell you with a grin, “We were kids…and I wanted to become a pilot, but never took up Science.”
Instead, he studied English Literature from Jamia Milia Islamia University in New Delhi after his 12th from Mezhür Higher Secondary School Kohima. That he also pursued a Diploma in Software Applications and further taught in Northfield School for 3 years makes an intriguing resume.
But obviously, his passion has always been something else: food. So, who was his inspiration? It is without any hesitation that he says, “Definitely my mother.” Well, he also learnt to cook rice before his sister did. Part of his inspiration also comes from Jamie Oliver and Anthony Bourdain, but he is largely inspired by India’s most celebrated cookbook author Nita Mehta “who not only founded the largest publishing house of Cookbooks Indian Cookery books, Indian Cuisine, International Cuisine India but is also the force behind a successful chain of Cooking Academies and has done cooking programmes for various TV channels and has conducted cooking classes in USA, UK, Canada and several other countries.”
Henry actually trained under the renowned chef and writer while he was still pursuing his studies in Delhi - something he delighted in after college but sort of kept it something of a little secret without too many people knowing about it. When he finally decided to pursue his first love, he opened KC’s Kitchen in 2010 (KC, which actually stands for his initials - Kaihrü Chisüte, although he is more popularly known as Henry). He started the kitchen with the take away concept, but eventually realised that it is not very feasible in the town as our society is yet to open up to the idea of eating out or ordering in.
Still, it runs with a few chairs spread around and with regulars like chow & momo in the menu, which he previously called noodles & dumplings. But given the unfamiliarity for these names, he says, “Our people shy away from trying it, thinking it’s something new”, which is why he went back to good old chow/momo. Nobody in Nagaland can plead ignorance of these two well-loved names, right?
A specialty in KC’s Kitchen is KC’s Wrap which is his creation blending 3 different cuisines, namely Mexican, Lebanese & Indian. The menu also lists Tandoori Chicken, Afghani Chicken, Cholay Batura, etc, in the menu.
Henry also exhibits his culinary skills at a Cafeteria in Modern College and The Grid, which is placed in the heart of Kohima town, and caters to food & beverages such as Steam Boat, Pad Thai, Carnivore Rice, Fish & Chip, Egg & Bacon, Spicy Minced Salad, French Fries, Burger (Combo), Beef Wrap, Noodles/Soup Noodles, and Choco Mousse, Coffee, Latte, Iced Tea, Lemon Tea, Green Tea, Fruit Beer, etc.
One of his personal favourites, he says, is North Indian, something, which he started doing even without learning. “The infusion of different masalas you use is very interesting…there is nothing so intriguing as Indian,” he expresses as he goes on to say that there are people who can be very natural, very simple but make it tasty…like a clear clean soup.”
Measurement, he emphasises is an important thing. Nagas generally indulge in a greater measurement of salt and chilly, but when you do it professionally, he states the need to think about others who do not take too much.
When it comes to baking, he says, “It requires much precision in terms of measurement.” He further enlightens that baking follows procedures, which is probably why, he seems more drawn to cooking. “When you cook, you get to experiment a lot of different things and it kind of surprises you as well.” But that does not stop him from baking either as is evident from the orders for cakes that keep pouring in and he is happy to indulge in it. Actually, he has just baked a 5-pound cake, catering to an order.
He feels that ‘eating out’ among our people has improved in recent years, which, he ascribes to both parents working in many families. The trend is especially noticeable during weekends with families going out for dinner. He also sees that there are two different sections of people who go out to eat - the young and the older generation. “I am glad because a lot of youngsters have gone places and are open to the idea of eating out”, he says.
He has catered to as many people numbering 1000 with the help of 5 assistants, taking about 5-6 hours for the preparation although, if it is main course, the prep time is about 12 hours.
He also finds it intriguing that there is much ado about men who cook and are the main chefs when since time immemorial 99% of kitchen assistants have been male in restaurants and eateries.
On the other hand, observing that winter is the peak season for cakes, he looks forward to baking more cakes while especially showing interest for
October, which, he terms it as a ‘big month’ with plans to bake 4 cakes consecutively for family alone.
But the most fun part, he insists, is ‘Potluck’ with friends. One can easily see his passion for food because it’s undoubtedly something he is up to most of the time.
In the near future, he plans to run a Coffee House while keeping in mind that we rarely find places with breakfast menu round the clock, although it seems to me, he’s already got his hands very happily full.

Nancy Epao~ Living the Hollywood Dream

Hollywood, for the rest of us, is just a fascinating dream. Only a few distinguished people make a name for themselves there for the big global audience to see. Nancy Epao also did not exactly set out for Hollywood. In fact, she says it is by accident and not by design that she is in the film industry.

Although she says, ‘If accidents such as this could be deemed as living a dream, I’d say ‘absolutely!’’

Over a decade’s journey into Hollywood and she has to her credit a long list of works that some of us can only dream about. She has produced films, Promos and PSAs, Commercials and numerous Music Videos, some of which include the MTV Awards T.A.T.U video in 2005, PSA (Public service Announcement) for Boys and Girls Club of America with actress Lisa Vidall which raised over $4 Million dollars for the charity foundation,  INFAMY documentary feature which she put together with Emmy Award winning Director Doug Pray and was the headliner for ResFest 2005 which was screened in over 40 countries around the world and also a highlight at South by Southwest Festival in the same year.

She has worked with the likes of Nicholas Cage and Catherine Zeta Jones, as she did with living legends like Ringo Starr, Smoky Robinson, Temptations, etc. all of which she recalls as ‘exciting’.

But her most personal memorable and fun project, she says, would be with Def Leppard as she goes on to explain: “I grew up listening to them and knew almost every word of every song. Working and hanging out with them for over a week transported me and my sister to another dimension altogether. Aside from getting to see their rehearsals and VIP tickets to their concert, the way they treated me and my crew and maintaining a contact till today is exceptional.”

As a soccer fan, Nancy says, she also enjoyed doing the video for the FIFA 2006 official theme song “I wanna dance” with Lumidee, a remake of Whitney Houston’s song “I wanna dance with somebody”. Another feat certainly would be “The Stranger”, finalist in the 7th Annual Hollywood Film Festivals, directed by Brad Furman and starring Xander Berkley, Pat Healy, Steven Guttenberg and Dylan Smith. She also did a PSA short film for RAINN charity organisation (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) called UNBROKEN with Rachel Bilson also directed by Brad Furman and secured sponsors and doing marketing for Par Coeur Gala Paris 2009 for Eva Longoria and first lady of France Carla Bruni Sarkozy for MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION France with her partner Andreas Kutzer.

Nancy with Nuno of Extreme

Having achieved so much, it comes as no surprise that she is also the first North Eastern flight attendant in Jet Airways, much ahead of the time she got into Hollywood. This, she remembers is also “pure accident”, because she had not intended to apply as Hindi was not her most fluent language and besides the airline was not known to employing North Easterners/Orientals. For her, the interview was impromptu accompanied by a resume written on the spot. But looking back she says, it was the most fun interview she ever had.

“I was very surprised when they called the same day to announce that I passed and I’m due for a series of tests and screenings. That was such uplifting news, considering that I had just returned to Bombay after mourning the loss of my dearest father in Dimapur. He would not have approved that line of career, but what does a young girl do with such an opportunity. I did great through my training although I cringed at the burst of laughter every time I stood up to the microphone to practice my Hindi announcements.” “I was also very lucky to have teachers that truly cared and encouraged me. The highlight of my time at Jet Airways was being selected to be the only attendant to Prince Andrew as he flew with his entourage, and getting a sandalwood garland from him as a present”, she fondly recalls.

Nancy Epao was born in Pfutsero and did her schooling in Nagaland spread between Pfutsero, Kohima and Dimapur. She did her higher secondary studies in Mount Carmel School, New Delhi, after which she came back to Nagaland for a BA degree at Patkai Christian College, and subsequently did her Masters in English Literature from Bombay University.

Further on to her dream world and she explains, “While aspiring to be a film producer was not specifically a childhood dream, my passion and heart was always arts, be it Visual Arts, Applied Arts or the Performing Arts. Being in the film industry allows me to stay connected with this passion. The business side can be challenging and the competition is very stiff. However, almost every other aspect is art in the making - from hair and make-up artists, set builders and decorators (art department), wardrobe stylists, musicians, dancers, actors, directors, photography, all these touch an area of art I revel in.”

Recalling that she did not grow up watching movies with her TV times very minimal and monitored with eagle eyes, she goes on to say that this may explain why she did not connect her dreams with film making as a young girl. So it was more like a discovery rather than a set goal, says the high flying Chakhesang Producer-achiever.

Looking back on her first experience in film production, she says, “Most people pursuing a career in films have a diploma or degree in film course either in college or special career courses in universities here in the US.” She, on the other hand, did not have this privilege, but says, “I dove in first and learned the craft as I went along. My beginning days were filled with excitement and I was willing to do anything from helping a painter paint the wall a crazy colour, to doing craft service (the person in charge of supplying the cast and crew with a table filled refreshments….not the caterer and quite a lower position in the hierarchy of set crew), PA (production assistant –lowest of the set crew).”

“I did it happily because I wanted to learn by doing, not just by watching, besides, being on the set was so thrilling to me”, she confesses.

Nancy does think that her Naga background has an influence on her as she feels that growing up in Nagaland basically gave her the tools for being resourceful and creative while pointing to ‘our playgrounds - climbing trees, running in the open fields, rolling in the mud on a rainy day: our toys – making dolls out of corn ears and tricycles out of wood, summer vacations - helping grandparents in rice fields. Then, as young girls, we cultivate hobbies such as knitting, making dresses for our dolls, cross-stitching, embroidery, weaving…all sorts of handicraft that most Naga children grow up with.’

“All these equipped me to handle many situations that come up on set and in life. A Naga Christian upbringing most of all, coupled with a firm lesson

from my father to uphold Naga legacy of honesty, respect and honour no matter what, are my guiding posts”, she says.

Nancy with Celine Dion

Marking her 14th year in the profession this year, she insists, “I’m still learning, growing and loving it. I continue to work towards a higher goal. I have a deep desire to somehow put Nagaland in the map in this industry. All up to God.”

The greatest challenge in her field, she says is “People. Human dynamics. It’s all about team work in production. Every project has several arms/departments and when one area fails, it affects the entire project. Of course, for big projects such as major feature films, financing is always a challenge. But that also boils down to people/human relationships at the end. I remember what my father would tell me often “learn the art of human management and everything else is easy”.

Currently, her focus is on feature films...knee deep in securing investments for several projects with great cast attachments such as Brad Furman, director of Lincoln Lawyer, who, she says, actually came up through her old company and they have been through several film projects and some years of trials and errors and success as well. “Optikal Noize, Inc. (new company with my partner Andreas Kutzer) we have aligned ourselves with a well established Hollywood film house as a strategic partner. We hope to make an announcement soon with some good news”, she beams.

Although, there is no immediate plan or clear idea how to fulfil her desire of giving back to our people (in her words), Nancy expresses passionately, “My heart is in Nagaland…I do believe that it will crystallise when the time is right. One way would be bringing well known dancers/choreographers, musicians, producers and recording technicians, record label executives, film directors, etc, to Nagaland and give guidance and lessons to young talents. I try to stay on track with what young Nagas are doing in these fields and I’m so impressed and proud. However, that final polish is lacking sometimes. And of course, exposure. I feel that this will not only enhance these areas but also bring focus to our tremendous talents and to Nagas as a people through influential media movers and shakers. I do believe that God will show the way and at the right time.”

When asked where she sees herself five years from now, she says, “In a perfect world, I would be riding on the success of the projects I am currently working on at the moment, and hopefully be working on a film project tied to Naga history.”

But as a main and the most important note, Nancy Epao insists, “I am where I am, doing what I do, all because of God’s incredible blessings and favour. I am amazed everyday by God’s tremendous endless love. I have experienced many miracles; overcome many an obstacle, because God’s umbrella of protection is always over me. It is true that trusting in God whole heartedly and having an unflinching faith in Him leads you far beyond your dreams.”

“Any credit I receive will be incomplete without mentioning my dearest sister Adule who provides me guidance, gives me unconditional love, grounds me and selflessly helps me in my business and pursuit of my dreams. She is my best friend, my little angel. In the absence of living parents, this is my highest treasure in life and my core brain trust. I thank God everyday for blessing me with such an incredible sister”, the successful Hollywood Producer puts across.

Vincent & his mean Machine...but it goes beyond just a biking passion

The sound of adventure excites him. It’s almost as if Vincent Belho cannot begin to measure the amount of thrills that biking allows him to feel. When he is riding, he gets the feeling of being one with nature, as the ride along the road brings him to contact with splendid things like the rain, wind, sunshine, open sky and beautiful landscapes; or even birds passing by, which makes him feel like he could just reach out and touch them.

His bike seat is his panoramic window to a world that he doesn’t know yet. And he goes on a voyage to explore and discover, learn and experience life beyond the place he calls home. By now, he has traveled the length and breadth of Nagaland on his bike, also covering all the International Trade Centres in the state- Longwa, Pangsha, Avangkhu, Mimi and Molhe Post. The plan to first cover Nagaland seems accomplished, because for him, it is incomplete to venture out and try to know a different world before that. After all, he insists, “I call myself a Naga, I am born and brought up in Nagaland.”

Biking, for him, is more than just one special thing! Apart from “Explore, Discover and Adventure” that he associates with the bike, he loves the fact that he gets to gel with people in some remote corner of the state, besides getting to learn and listen to their stories. Of course, it’s the passion for riding motorcycles that has taken him places, but his several expeditions have definitely drawn him closer to the cause of the people in the rural areas.

First off, health care, for the simple fact that basic medical care is something that he ardently wishes for these people. Each time he enters a village, it is his natural prerogative to visit a Sub-Centre or a Primary Health Centre. To his dismay, he has found that there is no sign of human habitation in many of the sub-centres and PHCs. Instead, there are deep green jungles, grass reaching up above his knees…the health centres sometimes nicely fenced, but no sign of a person walking up to that place.

 “I understand that there are many poor people who are not accessible to basic facilities in remote areas, and even if they wish and pray a thousand times, it won’t be possible. I feel the pain for these people who have to suffer, but another sad thing is that they do not know how to voice out”, he compassionately expresses. “If we are not able to use what is given to us, what is the point?” he goes on to say, but understands at the same time, that it takes a lot of effort both from the government and the community concerned to make things work, which is not always the case when it comes to the rural shores.

But one beautiful thing, he notes is the PHC at Wazeho even as he confesses, “I have not seen anything like it in the rural areas.”

One may wonder, how much can a biker do for health care in these areas? Well, his adventurous spirit has even led him to a Nagaland Tour on bike for HIV Awareness, giving impromptu talks and sensitizing the rural people on the issue. He had also gone biking on a North East Tour mostly covering Shillong, Guwahati and Sikkim, which he recalls more as a cultural exchange, since he interacted with people in the college and students from different schools, where they were very curious on learning more about the Naga culture and the Naga food habits.

Off to Darjeeling and further Nepal, it’s easy to see how he immensely enjoyed not only the ride but also sharing his knowledge about Family Planning and Contraceptives with the labourers in the Tea Gardens in Darjeeling.  One will see the professional side of him as the Branch Manager of Nagaland Family Planning Association of India, whose love for bikes always beckons him to ride any given holiday.

His latest travel diary consists of a ride in June that starts from Kohima, takes him through the road and a camping at Chizami, through Jessami, Akash Bridge, Matikhrü Village and Kanjang Village which is over 60000 feet above sea level and gives a bird’s eye view of a number of fascinating places.

To go on a ride, the rule number one for him is the helmet while he persists on protection gears depending on the season but normally includes a rain gear, riding gloves, knee guards, riding jacket (or in its place, elbow guard and shoulder guard),  and heavy & big shoes, because, he says, when you set out, there are sticks and bushes coming to hit you. And of course, protection gears always serve as a visual delight.

If you might wonder what a biker carries on a tour, it’s nothing for luxury, just basic stuff, saddle bags, fast food, two little basins to cook rice, kerosene, stove and the basic things.

There is no law and order problem in the state, but we are all aware of the insurgency and road conditions, he puts across. The sloppy, slushy and the muddy roads are only left to one’s imagination but he has been utterly surprised with discoveries of roads that serve as communication only by name. He does love the rush and the thrill of riding around these routes but mindfully says, “my pleasure should not be at the cost of the poor villagers.”

The best thing he loves about travelling is that “it opens up your mind”, and urges that young people should travel in any way or any form because in his words, “unless you travel, you will be just like a frog in a well.”

Biking seems innate in him. He first learnt to push a cycle as a small boy, ride a cycle and then he thought, he could ride a motorcycle, which, he definitely succeeded.  But what could you say of a child who was never exposed to television in his childhood but was still thoroughly fascinated by two wheelers and yet, understood even at that age, that his parents did not have enough money to buy him a cycle?

That, he waited till he was in a position to buy one himself, for decades together until he started working and earning, so he could view the world and taste the freedom, which only bikers can fully comprehend…

To hear of his finest experience, one must transport the mind from Phor to Sütsü, which he rode amidst the pines and a grand view of Mount Saramati clad with snow during January. As he shares his expedition, I feel like I also understand the excitement, the beauty and the thrill, the sense of rhythm and freedom, and the feeling of oneness with nature, which he describes with such clarity and passion.

He believes in riding for a long long time and that is also the reason why he strongly emphasizes on the importance of safety by wearing all necessary protection gears. “I wish all young people who have so much of energy get to ride for a long long time. I believe in being able to ride for a long time…and I ride with a purpose- to learn, explore and at the same time, understand the needs of people in the places I travel to…maybe I can be a facilitator for them.”

In the near future, he plans to cover a lot more places, although he says, “in motorcycle, there is no luxury, just the innate urge, desire and calling to ride these adventures.” “It’s always about the bike” for the motorcycle enthusiast, who is also a father of 3 kids, a manager, a documentary filmmaker (a current project being a documentary travelogue) and a health care provider, all rolled into one. 

Brewing with Creativity

Creativity’, for Betoka Swu, is the source of everything. He runs a coffee house called ‘Hiyo’ in the commercial hub of Nagaland, but beyond the beverage is a mind brewing with creativity. He has been capturing life in different shades ever since he discovered his love for photography although he feels he is a photographer by chance.
He recalls that it actually happened when he did a small project for NPMHR in New Delhi with his friends few years back and got a good response from the audience. Subsequently having done his first exhibition at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, he has also attended few workshops conducted by renowned photographers. Although without any formal training in this aspect, Betoka believes that these activities have helped him in becoming what he is now.
Delhi is the place where his encounter with the art first took place as he explored new horizons and got to know people. “And eventually things started rolling from there,” he says, as he goes back to remembering that he has been shooting since 2010.At the mention of the very word ‘photography’, his mind is easily connected with ‘capturing the moments’. Indeed, photography is the means through which moments come alive and memories of times long gone are revived.
Betoka has particularly been fascinated with capturing weddings, and so without a doubt his favourite subject is ‘Wedding Photography’, which, he also says, is his forte, although that’s not all that he’s good at. His images of artistes on and off the stage are also something to talk about.
He observes that photography is a new profession here. “Challenges come everyday, but the greatest challenge I feel now is getting our society to accept that Photography is also a profession like any other,” he emphasises.
The passionate photographer strongly feels that photography allows you to tell stories. Towards this end, he says, “I wish people could express their feelings through the lens and throw the light about Nagas’ ways of living to the other parts of the world.”“Art for me is discovering things and making it worth something. Making it sellable!” he goes on to say and, being even more practical, he adds that the part he likes most about his job is “the fact that I get paid for doing something I love.”
He is happy shooting and editing on any given day, but apart from these, he is also drawn to Graphic Designing, Music and Travelling. Fitting to his interests, the young, creative entrepreneur from Satakha under Zunheboto district manages Alobo Naga and the Band, “For the love of Music and travelling” as he puts it.The graduate from Patkai Christian College, who describes himself as simple, fun loving and living it out, however considers himself an average entrepreneur and feels that he is still struggling, and so, not living his dream yet. But it has always been his ambition to serve the Naga society in whatever capacity. Needless to say, he is already doing his bit by making use of his creative talents.

Betoka first Wedding picture featured in bigindianwedding.com

Nominated for TOP 100 bridal portraiture in weddingsutra.com

Few years from now, he would like to build a Home Studio, do more projects and travel some more. It also remains his hope that people start to understand the importance of photography.And his coffee house – Hiyo – well, it’s not just another coffee joint. Besides being his networking base for his photography passion, it has become one of the best known places where the most interesting events brew up a storm.

Neikhrietuonuo Linyü: Ain’t no mountain too high

The first Naga to have conquered the highest peak in the world...how does it feel? To be very honest, Neikhrietuonuo Linyü says, “I don’t feel any different from the next person walking down the street! The realisation that you’ve made it to the top of the world does not dawn on you when you make it there because you’re far too occupied with other things – ensuring your anchor’s in place, your pictures are taken, your oxygen cylinders changed, and of course, drinking and eating something just so you have enough energy to take you down the mountain.”
She adds, “In retrospect, I think about the only thought that was running through my head at that point in time was how cold it was! But honestly, getting there is half the experience and the fun. It’s something else to read about climbing Everest and getting to climb and seeing the obstacles you’ve read so much about and being a part of history because that is really what it is. If you climb Everest, your name is irrevocably linked with that of the mountain.”

If you ask her how the great expedition happened, she will tell you that the Indian Army offers one a lot of opportunities to explore one’s more adventurous and daring side, which, she enlightens is in addition to what you are employed for. “Mountaineering is just one of those ‘things’ one gets to do and that’s how I got into it too. Having grown up in Kohima amidst the hills and mountains of Nagaland, it’s not unusual for any of us growing up to be hiking up Puliebadze or Japfü or trekking to the Dzükou Valley and I probably had a latent adventurous streak that I could explore once I donned the uniform,” she elucidates.

But apart from that, she has proved that nothing is really impossible. When asked what words of encouragement she would give for aspiring Nagas who wish to leave a footprint globally, she is quick to say: “Today we have a number of Nagas who are doing very well both inside and outside the country and if you talk to anyone of them, I think they would all agree that hard work is what got them there. We Nagas tend to be very complacent and easily defeated. We have to learn to rise above our disappointments and learn to strive for what our hearts desire. Disappointments are, hard as it might be to accept, a part of life and one has to learn from them and emerge stronger from them.”
“I don’t know if quoting my own example would be appropriate but when I was declared ‘unfit for airborne duties’ the first time I underwent my ‘probation’ to become a paratrooper, I was devastated. I had been training so hard and for so long.”
With almost a tinge of longing, she goes on to say, “At a time when I was really low, my late brother asked me if I was going to give up just like that and gave me the example of he and his team playing basketball despite their losses and disappointments. He was 17 or so then and I was deeply affected to the point that I vowed that I would go through the whole process again. Sadly, he did not live to see the day I earned my Maroon and my paratrooper’s wings.”
Well, she volunteered to undergo probation, which is considered among the toughest ‘tests’ to become a paratrooper. Although she didn’t make it the first time, she volunteered again and was selected the second time, which is also the reason why she wears a distinctive coloured cap/beret which is referred to worldwide by all paratroopers as the “Maroon.”
Becoming a paratrooper, she says, was a defining moment in her life because it meant she was a cut above the rest, among the officers considered the best in the world! But, of course, it is not easy being a paratrooper even as she expresses, “You stand out like a sore thumb everywhere you go; everyone expects a little more out of you so you have to carry yourself that way and prove yourself too. But for me, being a paratrooper and a mountaineer has given me the most wonderful experiences of my life. I may not have dreamt of becoming either but I am living a dream!”
Believe it or not, she wanted to become a traffic policewoman as a child, because she says, “I used to think the traffic police personnel are the most powerful people in the society. All they have to do is raise a hand and thousands of cars come to a screeching halt! I probably had a thing for uniforms from a very early age.”
But her childhood dream, she confesses, was to become a vet, like her uncle. “As the eldest in the family, you are constantly reminded of the role you have to play in the family, of how you have to be an example to your younger siblings and things like that. I think at some point in my life, after I became a doctor and I felt I was old enough to make my own decisions, I rebelled! And that’s how I landed up joining the army,” she recalls.
She has been in the army for eleven years now, while still insisting that she got into it army by rebelling. But honestly speaking, she divulges that ‘most people say doctors have it easy in the army and I think that does have an element of truth in it’. “It is easier for doctors to get commissioned in the army because unlike the other arms and services of the Indian Army, they do not have a rigorous system of selection plus they do not undergo intensive training sessions before they are commissioned”, she explains.
However, any job is not without challenges. In the army, she says, “You are an officer first and then a doctor or engineer or whatever your qualification is and that means, having to learn to manage men, resources, dealing with seniors, civilians, etc. In short, you have to call upon all your management skills, exercise tact and diplomacy, display initiative and resourcefulness, and know how to control damage.”
But on the lighter side of it, she expresses that the most fun part of her job is getting to travel to all nooks and corners of the country and getting to know your country in a way no textbook can teach you.
The eldest of five siblings - four sisters and one brother (who, they unfortunately lost a few years ago) – she describes herself as very stubborn, which some people would interpret as determination. She says she is possessive, inherently curious and inquisitive even as a child. But also “very passionate” about everything she does in life. One can clearly see how that has led her to where she is today.
Talk about issues closer home and the Army Major by profession, who is at the same time a doctor, a mountaineer & a keen adventurer, feels: “We Nagas are fiercely protective about our children and tend to pamper them a little more than is necessary. In addition, we are very wary and distrustful of outsiders. The two combined make it a lose-lose situation for both our children and the society because we prefer to keep our children close to us where we can keep an eye on them and the youth are unable to obtain the right kind of information or guidance especially when it is crucial.”
“We ought to understand that it is only when our children are given the freedom to get out and interact with others that they will learn more about not just other cultures but about different careers and employment opportunities and things that will make a difference in their lives. It is the only way they will become independent and learn to survive in a competitive world like today,” she emphasises.
She also feels that “many of our youth today do not seem to have a sense of direction and purpose in their lives. They simply seem to be studying because they are expected to, and even take up lowly jobs only because they are so unsure of themselves. I think the main issues we need to tackle among the youth today are self-confidence issues mostly because we are no less qualified or no less capable than anyone out there in the rest of the world. We just need to get out and find out for ourselves what we can also do.”
So, what are her dreams for Nagaland? “I often joke with my friends that someday when I’m done with my job in the army, I will return to Nagaland and become the Chief Minister, set up a dictatorial leadership and instil some sense of discipline in our people! Jokes aside, our people seem to have become very lackadaisical and laidback, no one shows up for work on time; the work we do lacks quality and substance; nobody has any sense of respect for the law and order system. Those are just a few of the things I would like to change,” she puts across.
For her, becoming the first lady officer or the first lady paratrooper from the State was never part of her scheme of things. She believes that the Almighty had some kind of grandiose plan for her when He made her.
“As for me, I would like to climb a few more mountains, skydive and God willing, become the Chief Minister of Nagaland someday….but jokes aside, I would like to return to Nagaland one day and maybe join the State government in some capacity where I can introduce a few changes and hopefully, they will in turn, pave the way for bigger changes.”

Renbeni Odyuo ~ Making Sweet Melody

Everything makes her sing, or so she seems to indicate as Renbeni Odyuo sits with no air of pride around her despite being a young achiever. As a little girl, she dreamt of becoming an entertainer.

Today, she is seen more on stage than elsewhere, impacting change through her voice.

But that talent of hers doesn’t seem to grow in the family, because, interestingly, nobody in her family is into singing. Yet, naturally gifted with a beautiful voice, she grew up singing in Sunday school, church, events and festivals. It was probably when overwhelming requests for her performance started flowing in for several occasions that made her think, ‘People actually like my voice and I should do something about it.’

However, she confesses, “I never told myself I am going to be a singer”.

But her big break in the music world happened when she won the Naga Idol 5.10 during 2010 while she was still a student of KL Bajoria College Shillong, waiting for her BA results.

“With singing, I can do so much,” she states confidently as she delves deeper into details and also remembers how the reality show groomed her personality, her style, her music. “For a while, I forgot it was a competition because it was so much fun,” she says, even as she shares, “I have also learnt to take criticism after I started being there on stage...you know, it takes a lot to be judged.”

When she got her due recognition, she didn’t want her tryst with music to end with Naga Idol. Maybe, that’s how her debut album “Essence”, which she fondly dedicates to her parents, came alive. With this new venture, she is also officially a songwriter now having written all the songs in the album herself, apart from two collaborations.

“I’ve always been interested in writing, and was wondering how to express myself,” she says and feels that song-writing is the perfect form of expression in writing for her.

Renbeni is also the Brand Ambassador for NSACS RockAware, which, she confesses, was very unexpected. She admits that at first she had wondered, “Can I carry this off?” But after she started the journey, she says she has learnt so much about the HIV cause as well as about Nagaland itself. Giving an honest comment about her tour to all the districts of Nagaland, she said, “Those of us in Mokokchung, Kohima and Dimapur are so spoilt.”

“I learnt about my State……go to government colleges in the remote areas of Nagaland and all they ask for is a proper toilet, or windows……….it was really emotional for me...in that environment I was supposed to tell them about HIV/AIDS. But even in that condition, they need to know that HIV is a serious issue,” she explains.

Further into the journey, she was offered a job as Youth Consultant by NSACS but she thought, “If I can use my music to spread the message, I can still be a part of it” and declined the offer, which only shows her dedication to singing.

Renbeni does not consider herself a conventional singer even as she adds, “I’ve always wanted to be different. I love acoustic, grew up listening to alternative rock during my college days, and waited for my graduation to make any decision, and now I know I can do so much with singing.”

Has there been any influence on her singing? And she is quick to reply, “Mariah Carey is still an artiste that every aspiring female musician looks up to. Among others, No Doubt and Garbage inspired me.”

She aspires to continue singing, professionally, she adds, though admitting that sometimes it is hard. “We don’t have a proper industry; I don’t know if we have a real music industry…...just trying to sell music is very hard. Making music is easy but selling it is hard, but I don’t want to stop making music, and I advice my fellow musicians not to stop because we are part of the change”, she thoughtfully puts across.

“Commitment is important. If you want to make it happen, you have to perform like it is your last,” she asserts strongly.

She knows that there is still a lot to be done to really have a music industry in the State even as she points out, “To have a proper industry, it does not just take artistes and musicians but management, sound engineering...good sounds, lights, managers, etc.” She says that musicians outside know what they are worth, and are not scared to negotiate the price for their shows. “It is time, people pay respect for our work and we get paid for our efforts. Only then, we can say we are into it professionally”, she insists emphatically.

The NSACS Brand Ambassador has indeed come a long way. Not many people know that she did try modelling and as a kid walked hand in hand with Miss Nagaland Contestants. She also walked the ramp and modelled for Fashion Polytechnic Students in Shillong and the State as well, many of which earned her the Best Model. “This really boosted up my confidence, helped my performance, but I just felt it wasn’t for me.”

And so, it was singing for her. She says that she would love to learn the piano and teach music someday.

For aspiring musicians, she says, “It is important for an artiste to perform. You need to believe in your talent and practice and practice. You have to be versatile. You can talk all you want, people are going to get fed up but singing sounds nice and feels nice.”

Menuolhoulie Kire ~ Lens-eye view of life

Even as he defines ‘Art’ as eternal, Menuolhoulie Kire brings to life the ordinary events of a day through his lens. His passion for photography is obvious as he is rarely spotted without his favourite instrument strung around his neck. “The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of photography is the excitement, the rush of seeing things in a totally new perspective...,” the alumni of IIT Guwahati who describes himself as an ‘ambitious, creative and tenacious professional’ says.His romance with photography started as a hobby somewhere around September in 2008. “It happened when I was doing my Master of Design (M.Des) from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. I was into painting during my school and college days so when I joined Design School I naturally got attracted to photography,” he says.
 
He never took any photography courses, but his work today speaks volumes of the passion and love he has for this art. He confesses that the ‘little skills’ he has are through learning from online tutorials and videos and ‘continuously pushing myself to the limit’. As a child, he actually wanted to become an architect, but insists, “I would say I am living my childhood dream being in a creative field as a Product Designer and Photographer.”
Menuolhoulie emphasises the importance of a creative mind in this art. “Nowadays technology and equipments are easily accessible to everyone, but it’s your creativity that will make your identity and get people to appreciate and notice your work,” he said. For him, good cameras are a bonus, but it can make a difference only if you know what you can do with it.
The greatest challenge, he feels, is to swim against the tide and not losing your focus on your dreams.
But how does a normal day for a photographer looks like? To this, he enthusiastically says, “A normal day for a photographer involves a lot of running around, clicking, shouting, seeing new places, meeting new people and coming back with lots of beautiful memories.”
Indeed, his passion has earned him due recognition, some of which comes in the form of winning in competitions including Photography Competition, Techniche, Technical Festival of IIT Guwahati in 2008, Photography Competition, Alcheringa, Cultural Festival of IIT Guwahati in 2009, Photography Competition, Alcheringa, Cultural Festival of IIT Guwahati during 2010, Hornbill International Photography Competition 2010, Horsepower Challenge 2011 Photography Competition, and Hornbill International Photography Fest 2011 respectively in varying levels.
The 25-year-old has only been shooting professionally since early 2010 but has come a long way capturing the essence of living in print. He’s into all kinds of shoots ranging from weddings, portraits, fashion, sports, products, concerts to nature but professes that weddings, concerts and still life are his personal favourites.
The profession is still at a starting phase in the State...but Menuolhoulie states: “There are lots of people jumping into it which makes the market even bigger and more competitive...clients will start getting to know the different style of each photographer and the market will pick up from there.”
Prior to coming back home, he also worked as a design intern at Industrial Design Inc. Gurgaon for 3 months besides working as an Assistant Project Engineer (Design Content Generation) at IIT Guwahati for a year. He came back to Nagaland because, in his words, “I wanted to come back home and live my passion and chase my dreams...”
According to him, the best part of his profession is ‘to be able to capture beautiful memories of people’.
His interest has further expanded to furniture and product designing, which he describes as an equal passion as photography and yes, the young photographer also loves writing short poetry. It comes as no surprise that he dreams of seeing himself surrounded by good design and beautiful photographs five years from now.
The talented young man behind the lens is a product of Kohima Science College after which he graduated in B.Tech (Electrical Engineering) from North Eastern Regional Institute of Technology, Arunachal Pradesh, in 2008.
You can get a sneak peek of his works in his facebook page https://www.facebook.com/M.Kire.photography.

Aien Jamir ~ The Sweetest Thing

Like many others, she confesses that when asked about her ambition in life as a kid, a doctor naturally came to mind, which, ‘sadly didn’t happen’ in her own words. But Aien Jamir laughs it off and quickly adds instead, “But I am happy with what I am today and satisfied with my endeavour. After all, this is what I love doing...” She is a baker by profession, and a really good one at that, who was earlier selected along with 9 others to take up a 9-month vocational course in the United Kingdom by way of a joint scholarship from the Nagaland Government and Llandrillo College International Wales under CM’s Corpus Fund during 2007.
There, she opted for Food Preparation and Cooking (Bakery) and, on completion of the first 9-month course, she took an additional higher course for another 9 months in Professional Cookery (Patisserie and Confectionery). Prior to that, Aien did her early schooling from Kohima English School (now known as Mezhür) till her seventh grade after which she finished her matriculation from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and later graduated from Jyoti Nivas College, Bangalore.
Recalling her UK experience as ‘amazing’, she says, “Everyday I was learning something new. Our chefs were always helpful and friendly and I looked forward to going to class every morning.”
Today, she caters to baking products that range from theme based birthday cakes for children to wedding cakes and desserts from home. Although she’s had professional training in this aspect, her interest for baking goes a long way back. “I had always been interested in cooking and baking since I was small. Thanks to my Dad who was a great cook, I would go to the kitchen every time he would cook and watch him. My interest expanded to baking and with the help of my aunt, who is a great baker, I started learning the basics,” she says.
The youngest among 3 daughters, Aien feels that no special skill is required to be a baker but insists that it is all in the interest one has in wanting to learn. I think she exemplifies true love for what she does when she says, “I consider myself successful in my profession and I am very passionate about my work.”
With a little shift taking place in the job sector, she hopes this will give some sort of confidence for those who are hesitant to look beyond the government job mindset. “I feel a lot of people are focused only on getting themselves a Government job as they feel there is more security in it,” she expresses.
The bubbly and open minded baker also sees growth and potential in her own field even as she explains, “Yes, because these days, especially for weddings and big occasions, people are looking for quality products. I see a lot of demand but just not enough supply so there is a lot of scope and prospect.”

But, of course, noting that there is a limited supply of baking tools, products and accessories in our State, she also feels that this is her biggest challenge... “So I am usually trying to improvise with what is available.”
She has catered to various sections of people, starting from family and friends to theme based birthday cakes for children, to wedding cakes and desserts. But she recalls her most memorable and biggest order as the former State DGP's daughter's wedding wherein she catered to a wide range of people.
The most common flavour people order is chocolate based, she observes. And she loves the challenge of theme-based projects. “I love working on theme based birthday cakes because my clients request for shapes ranging from guitars to footballs, to dolls and trucks,” she says.
The home-based accomplished baker, who works under the banner ‘The Sweetest Thing’, loves the flexibility of her job and is fascinated by anything to do with food. And for those interested in baking, she enthusiastically advises, “I say go for it and never think there isn't any scope in this field.”
As for herself, Aien hopes to expand her business so that she will be able to cater not just to people in Kohima and Dimapur but in other towns as well.

Miqlat Ministry...the heart of God

Aptly termed “Miqlat” which is a Hebrew word meaning “shelter or refuge”, the Miqlat Ministry came into being in 2004 as an outcome of the celebration of women in the 21st Century during 2001 where Naga Baptist Women came together and felt the need to pursue the social ills of the society with particular emphasis on women.
As its homepage says, the Social Ministry under the Nagaland Baptist Church Council Women Department (NBCCWD) reaches out to the despised and the vulnerable girls and women of the society. The message of the Director of the Ministry, Asha Sanchu goes on to say that, “These women come under the category of sex workers, school drop-outs, sexually exploited and abused and women most vulnerable to infectious diseases. Miqlat envisions empowering these women through the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and restore them the dignity and honour of their womanhood in the likeness of Christ.”
True to its name, “Miqlat exists to be a voice for the voiceless, and to offer refuge and shelter to the broken-hearted mothers and daughters of our Naga society. Miqlat is there to listen to the brokenness of the broken women; stand at their side through prayer, counselling, and encouragement; to provide better alternatives in the best way possible; and thus give them a chance to live a better, hopeful, and dignified life.”
As such its vision statement has been “to share the love of Jesus to those who are living a life of shame, guilt and dejection” apart from imparting quality life by providing alternatives through various means and ways, helping them understand that life is not all about money and enabling them to see life through the eyes of God. It also endeavours to help them be aware of the transmittable diseases such as STDs including HIV/AIDS and bringing them to the knowledge of their Maker, besides strongly advocating against modern day slavery.
The Ministry is solely a faith-based venture running mostly through the support of churches, individuals, friends, and well-wishers and deals not only with the physical, social and emotional well being but also spiritual well being of the needy. With its growth in this aspect, the Miqlat Ministry also has a business set up focusing on “business as mission” with the view to train, empower and offer better alternatives to girls and women, thus enabling them greater prospects in life.
Along this line of enterprise, the products of the Ministry ranges from Greeting Cards for any occasion, Aloe Vera Soap, Candles: Designers, Lanterns, Regular, Tea Coasters, Handloom and Skill Ladies Bags, Mini Pillows with Satin Cover in several colours, Pot Holders, Wedding Favours: Candles and Bags, etc. The NBCCWD Miqlat Ministry stall was also one among the many other stalls at the recently held NBCC Platinum Jubilee Celebration and exhibited creativity and productivity of many skilled women behind the scene.
The exhibited works and products speaks volumes of the many activities that the Ministry undertakes in the form of Services such as Cafeteria, Counselling, Catering and Laundry, or Training on Candle-Making, Card-Making, Embroidery, Tailoring, Sequin and Knitting, Soap Making and other Programs such as Retreats, Seminars, Bible Studies, Outreach and several other activities.
As its Mission Statement reads “To reach out, to touch, to share, to embrace, to empower and to transform”, the Miqlat Ministry can indeed be seen as “Shelter in God’s Wings” as it marches forward to give Hope to people in need, especially women without hope. Such a place is an assurance that the greater cause of humanity still exists and that lives can be altered for better, with a leap of faith.

Carol Humtsoe

Although the fashion world isn’t all glitz and glamour behind the scenes, Carol Humtsoe has come a long way in just a span of three years of being around the Industry. In that short period, she has proved her worth as a model and gone where any aspiring model would dream to be.
The girl from Lakhuti village under Wokha district is the first Naga to have signed a contract with Elite Model Management, which is the world’s most prestigious modelling network and has formerly represented big names like Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Ujjwala Raut, Gisele Bunchen, Neha Kapur among others.
So, how did modelling happen to her? To start with, she says, “I wasn’t the most attractive baby out there, never looked pretty in pink, but it’s a twist of destiny that I grew into a model. I think I was in the 8th standard when the glamour bug bit me.”
Along the way, she picked it up and has definitely earned her place as an established model based in New Delhi with a good number of accomplishments to her credit. Among the many events Carol has been part of, she recalls with fondness her experience in Paris, which, she sums up as….“Paris in a breath of second, I was chosen as a model to go there for the biggest hair competition in the world. It was one week of paradise.”
Quite obviously, she has done several shoots for India Fashion Week previews besides been featured in Fashion magazines both nationally and internationally. Modelling, she says, is “a fun job, but not without hard-work. It is a job at the end of the day. The studio is our workplace or sometimes it’s in places like Ladakh or Paris, work happens anywhere.”
She insists on ‘learning’ through all her professional experiences and even though she has worked with a lot of different people in the field, she is particularly delighted to have worked with amazing photographers (as she puts it) including Tarun Vishwa, Anushka Menon, Rahul Dutta, Charudutt Chitrak, Ashish Chawla etc and designers such as Varun Bahl, Atsu Sekhose, Abdul Halder to name a few.
She says she has enjoyed working with everyone, but makes special mention of a recent film she did with Balaji telefilms, Kya superkool hai hum. “It was my first movie in Bollywood and I had a lot of fun”, she says.
When asked what it takes to get where she is today, she simply states, “Patience in a word. But apart from that, not eating what you want to, taking care of your health, a lot of passion to see you through a dull day and yes, sincerity to your job.”
So, is she living her childhood dream? The bubbly, confident model, who describes herself as “pretty basic, on the go and fun loving” expresses, “I was pretty clueless as a child and I think I have come a long way from where it started. I may not be living the classic dream but I want to believe that I am on the way...”
When it comes to fashion in the State, Carol feels Nagaland has a lot of potential. “People outside our State are inspired by our fashion sense, I think it’s time the Government supports the fashion boom. It is serious business all over the world, we should cash on it too.”
She thinks “we are quite trendy” even as she observes that Nagas are on the dot in terms of clothes. “We take risks and it’s not only the young people as such, everyone is fun to watch,” she says.
As for her, she sees herself around the fashion industry even five years from now, maybe modelling still or maybe not. “I don’t mind being a business woman. Maybe I will open a store,” she adds.
In another interview, Carol had said, “It is not easy to be an oriental looking model in the Indian modelling scene...my looks are far from the conventional look, so that was and is still my biggest challenge but only losers give up and I am not one. The fact is that my passion is stronger than my setback.”
Her passion, I believe, is the force that has driven her thus far.