Changes should first come from within: Dr Lotha
Source: Oken Jeet Sandham / NEPS

Kohima, Aug 05: Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr TM Lotha expressed serious concern on erosion of the work culture and moral ethics in the present generations.

He said while the whole world was changing for every moment with the invasion of newer technologies, the Nagas could not afford remaining complacent but instead should out of the box and compete with the rest of the world to become the "best." Speaking as chief guest on the occasion of the 34th Annual Session-Cum-Freshers� Day of the Kohima Lotha Students Union (KLSU) here at the State Academy Hall today, the Minister stated there was a massive global change which also affected the normal lives of the Naga society.

Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr TM Lotha (right) seen speaking on the occasion of the 34th Annual Session-Cum-Freshers' Day of Kohima Lotha Students Union here at State Academy Hall on August 5, 2006

"Unless we go along with this (changes), we will continue to suffer and regress ourselves," he cautioned.

"But such changes will only come about as and when you change yourself." Dr Lotha also did not subscribe to the ideas of some people that they should wait for fortune and luck to knock them to become someone.

"Such luck and fortune will only come to those who labor hard," he explained.

He also stressed the importance of excelling in other areas so as to compete with others.

"Your educations from the schools, colleges and universities will not be sufficient unless you have the knowledge of the extended educations and excelling in other areas," the expressed.

The Minister said the Nagas had adopted the life styles of advanced countries, while they were not morally, mentally and physically prepared even to live with values and ethos.

"You don�t know your resources and incomes and yet you are adopting everything that has been with the people of highly civilized countries," he rued.

"This way, you are not going to bring any changes and rather you are a liability to the Naga society." "The Koreans, Japanese and Chinese are becoming global competitors and they could excel in many areas because of their hard labors," he said.

"But why are you lagging behind so much for the fact that we are from the same stocks because you are yet to explore the potentials stored in you." Calling upon the youths to discard the culture of easy life and develop the spirit of confidence in competing with the rest of the world, the Minister asserted that they were second to none and further urged them to change their attitudes and mindsets within themselves and utilize their "gifted talents." He also informed about the commitment of the 3 and � year old DAN Government in the state that it had given priority for the development of youths with more infrastructures.

Many of them had already availed facilities, he added.

Presidents of Kohima Eloe Hoho, Yilobeni and Angami Students Union Medo Yhokha spoke on the occasion and lauded the contributions made by the Lotha students towards the welfare of the students� community and also the cause of the Nagas.

Earlier, KLSU president Yiben Humtsoe welcomed the chief guest, guest of honor, other dignitaries and participants to the function, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Benjamin, vice president, KLSU.