North East gets its first regional convention centre in Nagaland

Dimapur (Nagaland) [India], Oct. 6 (ANI): In order to facilitate and honour eminent personalities and achievers from eight north-eastern states, Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya recently laid the foundation of a regional convention centre. The three-storeyed structure will have a main theatre with a capacity to seat 2000 people, a small theatre with 300-seat capacity and 250-seat conference hall. One of the hallways would be used as a Hall of Fame. According to Lipokmar Tzudir, the director of North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), the convention centre promises to be "one of the best" and the start-of-the-art facility which would rival any in the country once it is completed. Tzudir said the master-plan was there since inception of NEZCC. But it was only in 2014, after the change of power at the centre, that the project was made eligible for central assistance. It is expected to be completed within 30 months. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Archarya said the people of Nagaland, and the north eastern states, "are not just dancers" who perform in front of tourists or people from outside the region. "We are much more than that. We are doctors, we are artistes, we are poets, we can be anything. We are second to none," he said. The governor who is also the chairman of NEZCC said its ultimate goal is not only to be a mere platform for entertainment activities or to showcase cultural shows but it is also for emotional and national integration. The idea, Acharya said, was to promote fellowship among people from different Indian cultures by helping them interact with one another. "We should not be staying at hotels (during cultural events). We should be visiting houses and interact with the people," he said. The governor also said that peace and prosperity are the prerequisites for for any cultural activities to prosper. "Culture cannot bloom and prosper unless there is peace. So let us fight against insurgency in the region." Archarya also said that universities and colleges should be more than just centers of knowledge. "Universities should be connected with the industries. We have five universities in Nagaland but the students that we produce are unemployable," he said. Dancing troupes from Nagas, Kachari and Kukis communities also performed during the programme. Diphupar village chairman under whose jurisdiction NEZCC is also spoke at the occasion and assured all cooperation in fulfilling the dreams. (ANI)