Voice Of The Hills (VOTH) celebrated 5th Anniversary / Readers' Meet

Churachandpur, January 3, 2015

Jempol (memento) presented to Miss Veineinem Singson, Miss Nagaland by Chief Guest Pu TN Haokip, MLA flanked by Miss Kut Manipur 2014 on December 29 2014

The first Thadou-Kuki monthly magazine published outside Northeast state – VOICE OF THE HILLS – celebrated its 5th Anniversary cum Readers' Meet in M Songgel Community Hall on December 29.

The function was graced by Mr TN Haokip, MLA, Saikot as the chief guest, Mr Lunsieh Kipgen, IPS, Commanding Officer, 7th Manipur Rifles as the guest of honour, Mr Ngamhao Touthang, MDC, 14-Tuibuang ADCC as the functional president besides Miss Nagaland Veineinem Singson who graced the occasion as the Ambassador of VOTH and Miss Chavang Kut (Manipur) 2014 Lamneimoi Chongloi as special appearance and Mr Nehginpao Kipgen, political scientist, United States as special guest. Leaders of Kuki Students Organisation and social workers were also present.

Speaking as the chief guest T N Haokip urged the people to work hard and bring all round development in the society. He said we have to change the system of our cultivation. We have destroys the nature and environment which affected our lives in many ways. We must make education a quality educationnot merely quantitative.

The chief guest, a journalist turned politician, also encouraged that everyone has to do more farming/cultivation and horticulture in order to produce sufficient foods and vegetables for the state. "I felt shy to go to the market and buy potatoes, because these are imported from outside states only. Why are we insufficiency in our state? We have many lands where we can grow many vegetables, but we don't do. We need to work hard," the chief said.

With a tagline "A bi-lingual Journal on Development", Voice of the Hills was founded by a group of five youngsters in Delhi – Letminlen Haokip, Amos Chongloi, Joel Mangboi Haokip, Chochon Haokip and Thanggou Haokip in November 2009. The first issue hit the newsstand in Dec 2009 and goes on till today.

The guest of honour Lunsieh Kipgen shared his opinions and encouraged the officials of Voice of the Hills. He gave an advised on Basics of Journalism. He has been involved in study community during his college days in bringing out a number of magazines. Though he is an IPS officer now, he still is still in love with media. He is the publisher of 'Eimi Times', the largest daily in Thadou-Kuki dialect in Manipur.

The functional president Ngamhao Touthang and special guest Nehginpao Kipgen gave an overwhelming speech and shared thought provoking ideas during the function.

Nagaland Miss Veineinem Singson released the Anniversary Special Issue of VOTH magazine, while the chief guest inaugurated the Central Library cum Study Centre which was jointly initiated by Voice of the Hills and Socio-Economic Development Organisation (SEDO). The Central Library cum Study Centre is located at Sumkong Kaimun in Tuibuong Bazar.

"We are planning to organise a one-day book drive to collect books for the Central Library cum Study Centre next year on December 23, 2015. We want to encourage the students as well as our society to imbibe a habit of reading books. We will try to gather valuable boods for the library. This will bring a sound mind and reasoning in our society," said Mr Kakai Touthang, editor of Voice of the Hills.

The functional president gave away the prize of Open Essay Competition to the winner Ms Hatchinghoi Haokip, who bagged the winner prize on the theme 'Role of Media in the Society'. Ms Kongjam Devi and T Letkholen Haokip received the prize as honourable winners while Mr Ginkhosei Haokip, Mr L Sungthang Haokip and Mr Thanglenmang Haokip received the consolation prize.

Popular artistes Ms Lhainei, Ms Lamneilhing Haokip, Ms Priscilla Baite, Mr Thangcha Haokip, Ms Beggi Haokip, and Ms Neamy mesmerized the crowd. The Cultural dance (Gosem Lam), S Molcham Cultural Dance, Modern Culture Dance by Kholmun Youth Club, Hip-Hop Dance from Ms Cynthia, and Lam dil-del by Menashe Cultural Troupe has raised many eye-brows during the function.

The arrival of guests and dignitaries was first welcomed with traditional salute by blowing Pengkul, a local trumpet. Mr Len Khongsai, consultant editor of VOTH addressed the welcome speech which was followed by the invocation prayer of Rev Lamkeng Lhouvum, Rev Ngamjapao Haokip, secretary of Kuki Christian Leaders Fellowship blessed the VOTH team, and benediction by pastor Onkho Haokip.

Towards the end, there was an interaction session 'Phalbi Huilhi' (Winter Winds) with Miss Nagaland 2014 and Miss Kut 2014.

"The best question asked to both Miss Nagaland and Miss Kut, by KSO CCpur adviser Mr Onkhopao, was 'Who would you prefer to choose to be your partner, your own people or for the sake of looking for greener pasture from other community?" says Haokip Steven Joel.

The audience has thrown various questions, both the beauty queens thoughtfully responded in an interesting way.

Reported by: Bruce K. Thangkhal

Source: http://www.tntmagazine.in/voth-celebrates-its-5th-anniversary/