Kohima Ao Officer’s Union (KAOT) held its general meeting 2021 at Molu Ki, Kohima on January 19, with minister of Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir as the chief guest.
According to DIPR report, speaking on the occasion, Metsubo appreciated the officers for their sacrifices, in rendering their services towards the union besides their busy schedule in their respective offices and departments. Lauding the officers, he said God has blessed the Aos in many different fields but lamented that due to disunity they were not able to move forward and take up challenges or solve problems that arises. Lamenting that the Aos were losing their culture as many of them were more into foreign cultures and not being proud to be an Ao, Jamir added that the Ao dialect was on the verge of extinction as many parents and children communicate in different languages rather than their own.
Metsubo also called upon the officers to take it as an opportunity when they are posted or being transferred to Mokokchung since transformation and development of the district can only be brought about by one’s own citizen. Dismayed that “Mokokchung the land of pioneers” has now lost its meaning since there were only a few schools and colleges having less students, Jamir said that this was due to many parents sending their children to other districts and cities for their education. Therefore with fewer citizens in Mokokchung district, he said the census in the district has gone down and this factor may reduce the number of constituencies of the district. Citing these drawbacks, he encouraged the officers to be united, give prior importance to one’s culture, language and census to be given serious thought, since they can bring about a change in the Ao community.
Minister of PWD (Housing & Mechanical), Tongpang Ozukum who also spoke said Kohima Ao Officertem Telongjen (KAOT) was a union where others can look up to for ideas, help etc and bring unity and change in the Ao community.
He called upon the KAOT to educate the Aos by imparting knowledge in their trades, and in different fields and also suggested them to call for conferences annually or biannually where all Ao officers from other districts and Ao parliamentarians can attend to sort out a way to bring about a change in the Ao community.
President KAOT, Meyionen Jamir briefed that the KAOT was established in 2003 with more than 600 Ao officers but in recent years the numbers were decreasing with more retirements of Ao officers than new recruits in the government offices and departments.
Therefore he called upon the officers to retrospect. Newly elected office bearers for KAOT 2021-2022 is led by Moatemsu Aier as president along with five others. Programme was chaired by KAOT officials and vice president, KAOT, Dr. N. Meren Imchen proposed vote of thanks.
