NAMSAI : Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Friday called upon the younger generation to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Tai Khamti and Singpho communities while striving for academic excellence and self-reliance.
Addressing the Annual Felicitation Programme 2026 organised by the All Tai Khamti Singpho Students’ Union (ATKSSU) at Namsai, Mein felicitated meritorious students for their outstanding academic achievements and congratulated them on their success.
He urged the youth to take pride in their identity by preserving and promoting their traditional attire, language, customs and cultural practices, and to ensure that this rich heritage is passed on to future generations.
Highlighting the importance of education, Mein said academic excellence should remain the foremost priority for every student. At the same time, he encouraged young people to explore entrepreneurship and opportunities in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, stressing that government employment alone cannot meet the aspirations of all.
Emphasising the need for self-reliance, Mein called on the youth to embrace innovation, skill development and enterprise so that they emerge as job creators rather than job seekers.
He also stressed the importance of documenting and honouring the contributions of unsung heroes, freedom fighters and community elders, besides preserving the history of temples, historical sites and other places of cultural significance to safeguard the identity and values of future generations.
Highlighting the role of student organisations in nation-building, Mein urged the All Tai Khamti Singpho Students’ Union to continue promoting education, preserving cultural identity and motivating young people to become responsible and productive citizens.
Commending the union for recognising academic excellence, the Deputy Chief Minister expressed confidence that the awardees would continue to excel in their studies and make meaningful contributions to society while upholding the rich cultural legacy of their communities.
