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The Nagaland state government accorded a warm
reception to the 53-member delegation of the ongoing Malaysian
Car Rally as they passed through Kohima on the evening of 25th
August 2007. The Rally,
 which was
flagged off from Cape Town, South Africa, is in commemoration of
the 50th anniversary of Malaysia’s independence.
Welcoming the delegation at the Indoor Stadium,
Kohima, on behalf of the government and the people of Nagaland,
Home Minister Thenucho wished the delegation all success and
success of the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Deputy Defence Minister, Dato Haji Zainal
Abidin Bin Haji Zin, who was accompanied by his lady wife,
expressed happiness and gratitude to the people of Nagaland for
receiving the team so warm-heartedly. He observed that the
people are ‘kind, loyal, good and friendly to all the people in
the world’. Stating that Malaysia has one lady Brigadier
General, the Minister expressed hope that Nagaland too can give
more opportunities to the ladies and further expressed hope that
mutual relationships will become stronger in future.
Vice Chief of Army Staff of the Malaysian Army,
Lt. General Edatuk Haji Shahron Bin Haji Ibrahim Dadum, during a
brief interaction with the Press, stated ‘we want you to share
this independence with us, we were colonised before, you were
colonised before’, and to ‘celebrate our independence together’.
He said that the Rally would culminate at Kuala Lumpur on 30th
August 2007, just the right before independence. He also
expressed optimism that India will develop into a ‘green’
Tourism destination. He mentioned that the rallyists have
crossed Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan,
Saudi, UAE and Oman before moving down to India from Pakistan.
The Cultural Promotion Society, Kohima
presented Angami folk songs, accompanied by the ‘Tati’, much to
the fascination of the delegates. The Kohima Municipal Council
presented shawls and traditional waistcoats to the
delegates.Those present to receive the rallyists included state
Chief Secretary Lalhuma, Additional Chief Secretary and
Development Commissioner Lalthara, Finance Commissioner H.K.
Khulu, Principal Secretary P&AR and CEO, C.J. Ponraj,
Commissioner & Secretary, IPR, Viketol Sakhrie; Chairperson
Kohima Municipal Council Menuovilie, Deputy Commissioner
Sachopra Vero, besides several senior officials, KMC members,
Scouts and Guides and citizens of Kohima.
The Rally passed through India from 20th
to 25th August 2007 and has passed through Wagah, New
Delhi, Allahabad, Patna, Siliguri, Guwahati, Nagaland and Imphal
from where they will go onto Myanmar, then to Thailand.
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