Ukhrul celebrated 79th India’s Independence Day at Bakshi Ground, Hungpung, Ukhrul.
Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul, Asish Das (IAS) unfurled the national flag and took the salute. The superintendent of Police of Ukhrul, Ningshem Vashum (IPS) gave the general salute and SDPO of Jessami, Chongtham Sarjan Singh (MPS) was the parade commander of the day. Around 46 parade contingents participated in the Republic Day parade.
Speaking at the occasion, Asish Das stated, “today marks the historic occasion of our 79th Independence Day, with immense pride and gratitude I extend my heartfelt greetings to the citizens of Ukhrul district. Today, we pay tribute to the countless freedom fighters and leaders who fought with courage and selflessness to free our nation from the mighty British Empire. Their sacrifices paved the way for the democratic, diverse, and sovereign India we are proud to be part of today. This nation, I believe, has a space for all of us to prosper with dignity.
“The past year has marked the year of change for Ukhrul, by a series of impactful developmental initiatives and successful events that have contributed to the district’s growth and visibility on both state and national platforms.
“One of the most significant achievements was the successful organization of the 5th edition of Grand Shirui Lily Festival 2025. This vibrant cultural celebration drew thousands of visitors from across the state and beyond. With its focus on the endemic and rare Shirui Lily, the festival served not only as a celebration of our rich Tangkhul Naga heritage but also as a platform to promote eco-tourism, local artisans, and indigenous music. The flawless execution of the event was made possible through the joint efforts of the district administration, local communities, and various stakeholders. Enhanced logistical arrangements, improved infrastructure, and effective crowd management ensured a memorable experience for all participants. And as promised 100% of the payments have been released to all the agencies within 2 months of the conclusion of the festival.
“Another major milestone was achieved in the area of infrastructure development, where more than 10 key roads were constructed or significantly upgraded across the district. These include vital inter-village routes and access roads to agricultural and market hubs. This development has not only boosted connectivity but also improved access to essential services such as healthcare and education in remote areas. Special attention was given to the quality and durability of construction, in collaboration with engineers, contractors, and local monitoring committees. Many more projects are under proposal stage and hopefully will materialize for the betterment of our district.
“In parallel with the festival, Ukhrul actively participated in the Jal Jeevan Mission aligning with the Government of India’s vision of providing clean and safe drinking water to every household. The campaign saw extensive groundwork being laid for water resource mapping, pipeline expansion, and public awareness programs. As a result, several wards in Ukhrul town and adjoining areas witnessed improved water access, reflecting our administration’s commitment to ensuring basic amenities for all citizens.
“The convergence of these efforts within a single administrative cycle demonstrates the dedication, coordination, and resilience of the people of Ukhrul District and Ukhrul District Administration. The accomplishments reflect our unwavering commitment to holistic development that respects cultural identity while advancing modern infrastructure and services.
‘As we move forward, we remain committed to transparent governance, community engagement, and sustainable development. The support and cooperation of the people of Ukhrul have been instrumental in every success we have achieved, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the months and years to come.
“Here I stand before you today with a heart full of hope, pride, and purpose—to speak not just as an individual, but as a voice among many from this beautiful homeland full of dreams, resilience, and a vision for a better future.
“In this short stay here, I’ve learned that the people of this place aspire for a lasting and genuine peace. You have endured unrest and marginalization, yet you continue to believe in the power of dialogue, justice, and unity. The people long for a future free from fear, where identity is celebrated, not threatened. This I am disclosing from my personal experience. You have patiently listened to me and resolved many, many issues which had the potential to fireball.
“A lot of people from the village have personally shared the menace of Drug abuse in their Villages making the village almost impossible to live peacefully. And I have considered this as the most important and immediate threat to this district. Drug abuse places a heavy burden on society, affecting not just the individual but families, villages and communities. Just imagine, or maybe look around your neighbourhood, raising a child for more than 25 years and spending lakhs of money to feed and educate them for years. Morally it is invaluable to measure the cost of a person. Economically, it drains crores and crores of valuable resources that could have been very useful for the family, for the whole society. It has led to increased health problems, mental illness, and a rise in theft, crime and violence. Socially, it tears apart families, erodes traditional values, and weakens the moral fabric of communities. So it is a civilizational loss and a special threat to a relatively small community like your tribe.
“Addressing this crisis requires a united effort from all sections of society- Administrative services, Civil society and Churches, educators, and families- to create awareness, provide support, and build a future free from such serious threats. I was told that lots of young youths from the 1970s and 1980s were lost due to drug abuse. We must not let the history repeat itself.
“As we can see, this place has lots of things to be fixed, to be developed. A development with dignity. Ukhrul, like many hill districts, has long suffered from underdevelopment and infrastructural neglect. The people are not asking for charity—but for fairness. Good and mud free roads, quality healthcare, reliable electricity, internet connectivity, and clean water—these are not luxuries; they are necessities. The farmers, entrepreneurs, artisans, and students deserve equal access to opportunities making it more inclusive and represented. The people want to be heard—not just during elections, but every day reflecting the ground realities of the society. And my administration, through Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) and other programs are doing our best to deliver the services the people deserve.
“I am proud to learn that this district has a lot of educated people. But our education has to come along with empowerment. Our young people are brimming with talent, ideas, and potential. Yet, the lack of quality job opportunities often forces our young talents to leave their place. I dream of a Ukhrul where our youth can study, work, and thrive without having to abandon their home. This, I feel, is not only my dream, but a dream of most of the parents here. These kinds of challenges cannot be overcome by the services of administration alone, but with the active participation of our civil societies and other institutions. On our part, the Government of India has launched Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan which is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, aimed at empowering tribal youth by enhancing their skills and promoting entrepreneurship. The campaign focuses on developing leadership, employment opportunities, and capacity-building among tribal communities, aligning with the vision of self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat). It includes training programs, awareness drives, and support for traditional tribal livelihoods. We must make use of such a program to its fullest potential.
“Lastly, I understand the sentiments of people here. The peoples and the civil societies work tirelessly for cultural preservation and recognition. The identity, language, music, festivals, and other ways of life—these are treasured here. As we modernize, we should seek not to erase our identity, but to strengthen it. We should strive for space in the national narrative to share our stories and heritage. This nation is not too small to accommodate the needs of the people. This nation is a living testament of these diversities.
“Friends, the aspirations of Ukhrul are not isolated cries—they echo the hopes of every marginalized community striving for justice, equality, and recognition. Let us work together to turn these dreams into realities. Let us rise not just for ourselves, but for the generations yet to come. Let Ukhrul not be known for what it lacks, but for what it dares to dream.”
ADM of Ukhrul, Polly Makan (MCS) expresses immense gratitude to all the DLOs, CSOs, participating parade contingents, Soraphung Cultural Dance Troupe, Ukhrul District Karate-Do Association, students of Sihai Khunnou Primary School and 18 Assam Rifles.
The celebration was attended by Madam Soso Shaiza, Advisor of National Commission for Women, Vice President of Tangkhul Naga Long, RS. Jollyson, President of Tangkhul Shanao Long, Thingreiphy Lungharwoshi, President of Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, Ringphapam Kasar and others.
In the parade competition, The Oriental Naga Academy (Girls Contingent) secured the first position. Sonyao Academy of Innovative Learning (SAIL) and Savio High School (Boys Contingent) were declared the second and third positions respectively.
The colourful display of folk song and folk dance by Soraphung Cultural Dance Troupe, martial arts display by Ukhrul District Karate-Do Association, Role play on RTE by Sihai Khunnou Primary School and the spectacular performance by the band party of 18 Assam Rifles added more colour and joyful meaning to the celebration. The celebration was attended by huge numbers of people from different walks of life.
