Nagaland Today

30/05/2026

NORTH EAST PREMIER LEAGUE INVITES BIDS FOR EIGHT FRANCHISE CLUBS
KOHIMA, MAY 30 (NTNews): The North East Premier League (NEPL) has officially announced the launch of its franchise tender process, inviting investors, consortiums, sports organizations, and stakeholders to bid for ownership of eight football clubs representing the eight states of Northeast India.
According to the tender announcement, the league aims to create a unified football platform under the theme, “One League. Eight States. Endless Possibilities.” The initiative is expected to strengthen the football ecosystem in the region while providing opportunities for investment and professional club development.
The Comprehensive Invitation to Tender (ITT) document includes details on eligibility criteria, financial requirements, operational guidelines, revenue structure, and submission timelines for interested parties.
NEPL stated that the tender was released on May 11, 2026, and the last date for submission of applications is June 15, 2026.
The proposed league will feature franchise teams representing Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and another participating northeastern state, with the objective of promoting regional talent and enhancing the commercial growth of football in the Northeast.
Interested applicants may obtain tender documents and submit queries through the league’s official communication channels.
The NEPL initiative is being positioned as a major step toward developing a sustainable and competitive football structure in Northeast India, while encouraging greater participation from private investors and sports stakeholders. (NTNews)

30/05/2026

Assam Rifles Saves Life Through Timely Blood Donation at Kiphire District Hospital
Kiphire, May 30: Assam Rifles personnel once again demonstrated their commitment to humanitarian service by donating blood to save the life of a critically ill patient at District Hospital, Kiphire, on May 29.
According to reports, the hospital urgently sought blood for a patient requiring emergency medical treatment. Responding promptly to the request, Assam Rifles personnel rushed to the hospital and voluntarily donated blood, ensuring that the patient received timely medical assistance.
The swift response and selfless act of the troops played a crucial role in supporting the patient's treatment and helping save a precious life.
Hospital authorities and the patient's family members expressed heartfelt gratitude to Assam Rifles for their quick intervention and humanitarian support during a critical moment.
Assam Rifles continues to extend assistance beyond its security responsibilities, actively contributing to the welfare and well-being of local communities through various humanitarian and social initiatives across the region. The latest gesture further reinforces the force's enduring commitment to serving the people of Nagaland.

30/05/2026

Assam Rifles Extends Timely Humanitarian Assistance Through Urgent Blood Donation at Peren District Hospital

Peren, May 30: In a commendable act of humanitarian service, Assam Rifles personnel voluntarily donated blood to assist a mother undergoing critical medical treatment at District Hospital, Peren, Nagaland.
The patient urgently required a blood transfusion during a medical emergency to save both her life and that of her newborn child. Responding promptly to the request, Assam Rifles personnel stepped forward to donate blood, enabling the medical team to carry out the necessary treatment without delay.
The timely intervention played a crucial role in stabilizing the condition of both the mother and the newborn, highlighting the force's commitment to community welfare and emergency assistance.
Family members of the patient, hospital staff, and local residents expressed heartfelt gratitude to Assam Rifles for their swift response and selfless gesture. The humanitarian act was widely appreciated and further strengthened the bond between the security force and the local community.
Assam Rifles stated that such initiatives reflect its continued dedication to serving the people of the region beyond its security responsibilities. Through acts of compassion and community support, the force continues to uphold its enduring reputation as the “Friends of the North East.”

30/05/2026

Assam Rifles Conducts Friendly Volleyball Match at Tizit
Kohima, May 30: Assam Rifles organized a friendly volleyball match with local youths and students at Tizit village in Mon district, Nagaland, as part of its ongoing community outreach initiatives.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from village youths and students from nearby educational institutions, creating a vibrant and cheerful atmosphere. The friendly match aimed to promote healthy lifestyles, sportsmanship, and stronger ties between the security forces and the local community.
Besides encouraging physical fitness, the event provided a platform for young people to showcase their sporting talents while fostering teamwork, discipline, and mutual respect. Participants from both sides displayed commendable sporting spirit throughout the match.
The programme concluded with players exchanging handshakes and warm greetings, reflecting the spirit of friendship and camaraderie that the event sought to nurture.
Assam Rifles appreciated the active participation of the local youths and highlighted the role of sports in promoting unity, resilience, and community development. The force also reiterated its commitment to supporting similar initiatives in the future to further strengthen bonds with the people of Mon district.
The event ended with refreshments and a shared call for organizing more such friendly sporting engagements in the days ahead.

30/05/2026

Khedi Baptist Higher Secondary School Kohima

Khedi Baptist Higher Secondary School Kohima Delivers Inspiring Performance at Ura Academy 2026Students of Khedi Baptist Higher Secondary School captivated t...

30/05/2026

Baptist Church Kohima Inspires Closing Day of Ura Academy Programme 2026

Pochury Baptist Church Kohima Inspires Closing Day of Ura Academy Programme 2026The final day of the Ura Academy Programme 2026 concluded with vibrant cultur...

29/05/2026

56th Ura Academy Seminar Concludes in Kohima | Call to Strengthen Tenyidie Language Movement

The three-day 56th Annual Seminar of Ura Academy concluded at Ura Academy Hall, Mission Compound, Kohima on May 29, 2026, with renewed calls for preservation and promotion of Tenyidie language and unity among Tenyimi communities.
Addressing the valedictory programme, Daso Paphino, Vice President of Ura Academy, highlighted the historical and cultural significance of Tenyidie and stressed the need for collective efforts towards inclusion of the language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN) President Kekhwengulo Lea also called for greater unity among Tenyimi communities and emphasized the role of language in preserving identity and strengthening oneness.
The programme also witnessed the installation of the new Ura Academy Rüpfhünuo team for the 2026–2029 tenure and presentation of academic awards to meritorious students in Tenyidie and music.
The seminar featured literary discussions, cultural programmes, conclaves and participation from scholars, literary bodies and community leaders.

56th Ura Academy Seminar Concludes in Kohima | Call to Strengthen Tenyidie Language MovementThe three-day 56th Annual Seminar of Ura Academy concluded at Ura...

29/05/2026

Ura Academy seminar concludes with call to strengthen Tenyidie language movement

KOHIMA, MAY 29: The three-day 56th Annual Seminar of Ura Academy culminated on Friday evening at Ura Academy Hall, Mission Compound, Kohima, with speakers stressing the need for collective efforts to preserve and promote Tenyidie language and identity.
Addressing the valedictory programme, Daso Paphino, Vice President of Ura Academy, spoke on the uniqueness of Naga history, culture and traditions, which he said had been recognised even during the colonial period through the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873, now continued as the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system after India’s Independence.
Paphino credited the pioneers of the Angami Literature Committee (Diemvü Houdo), formed in 1939, for translating the Bible and hymnals which remained in use for several decades before the committee was rechristened as Ura Academy in 1970.
He noted that since then, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu has continued to lead the organisation as its president.
Highlighting the progress of Tenyidie in academics, Paphino informed that the language was introduced as a department in Nagaland University in 1997.
He said nine scholars have completed PhD studies in Tenyidie while 16 more are currently pursuing research, adding that around 350 students have completed Master of Arts in Tenyidie.
He also stated that efforts are continuing for inclusion of Tenyidie in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
To strengthen the movement for official recognition, Paphino emphasised the need to include Tenyidie along with its sub-dialects in the forthcoming Census of India in formats such as Tenyidie (Angami), Tenyidie (Chokri), Tenyidie (Khezha), Tenyidie (Rengma) and Tenyidie (Zemi).
He called for united efforts from all Tenyimi communities in this regard.
Further, he urged the people to collectively preserve and promote Tenyidie, which he said has been spoken by the people since before the arrival of colonialism.
Speaking at the programme, Kekhwengulo Lea, President of Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN), stressed the importance of unity among Tenyimi communities and highlighted the role of language in fostering oneness.
He said the formation of TUN was necessary to look into the affairs of Tenyimi communities within Nagaland, while the Tenyimi People’s Organisation (TPO) would continue to serve communities living beyond state boundaries.
Lea called upon the Tenyimi people to take the lead in strengthening Naga unity and urged the present generation to carry forward the legacy of earlier pioneers.
He also highlighted the importance of forgiveness, collective responsibility and preservation of language, stating that language remains one of the strongest unifying forces beyond political, religious or economic influences.
Lea informed that TUN is collaborating with Ura Academy to promote Tenyidie and appealed to tribal bodies to include mother tongues along with Tenyidie during the forthcoming nationwide census exercise.
He further stressed the need for establishing more Tenyidie Learning Centres in different areas to revive the language, which he said once served as a common medium of communication among the people.
During the programme, a new team of Ura Academy Rüpfhünuo for the 2026–2029 tenure was installed with Nuveta Khusoh as president, Dzuvisato Savino as vice-president and Khriephrenuo Kuotsu Solo among others.
Earlier in the day, the Tenyidie Kephrunuoko Krotho (TKK) conclave was held with Dr. Keduolhoulie Belho, Associate Professor, Department of Tenyidie, Kohima College Kohima, as speaker. The programme was led by Dzuzienuo Yhome, President, TKK.
Several academic awards were also presented during the conclave. The Dr. Neilhouzhu Kire Angami Award for highest marks in Tenyidie (HSLC) was conferred on Rokotsino Senotsu of Baptist Mission School, Jotsoma.
The Rȕzhȕkhrie Sekhose Award for highest marks in Tenyidie (HSSLC) was awarded to Keduoneinuo Evelyn of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Kohima.
The A Kevichusa Award for BA Tenyidie Honours topper was presented to Dziesekhrietuo Khezhie of Oriental College, while the Nini Vinguriau Lungalung Award for highest marks in Music (HSSLC) was awarded to Aleno Bio of Patkai Higher Secondary School, Chümoukedima.
Kekhrielhoutuoȕ Kire, who completed the Certificate Course in Tenyidie in first division, was also presented a certificate during the programme.

29/05/2026

IIT Gandhinagar–University of Illinois Study Finds Herbal Ci******es as Harmful as To***co
Gandhinagar, May 29: A joint study by iitgn.ac.in and illinois.edu has found that herbal ci******es marketed as “natural” and “to***co-free” are not safer than conventional to***co ci******es and may, in some cases, be even more harmful.
The findings, published in the international peer-reviewed Journal of Hazardous Materials, revealed that emissions from herbal ci******es were comparable to or exceeded those from to***co ci******es in several toxicity-related measures.
The study analysed two leading to***co cigarette brands and four herbal cigarette variants containing ingredients such as basil, clove, cinnamon, mint, chamomile and green tea. Some herbal variants also used tendu leaves — commonly used in bidis — as wrappers.
According to the researchers, herbal ci******es emitted around 20 per cent higher concentrations of ultrafine particles than to***co ci******es. These particles are associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
The study also found that particulate matter from herbal ci******es showed significantly higher oxidative potential, a property linked to inflammation and lung damage. Tendu-leaf-wrapped herbal variants recorded nearly 49 per cent higher oxidative potential than paper-wrapped products.
One herbal cigarette marketed as “chemical-free” and “100 per cent natural” was found to contain the highest lead concentration among all tested samples.
, Assistant Professor at IIT Gandhinagar, said the findings challenge the common perception that to***co-free products are risk-free. He noted that emissions from herbal ci******es matched or exceeded to***co smoke on nearly every parameter measured.
The study also highlighted a major regulatory gap, noting that India’s Ci******es and Other To***co Products Act (COTPA), 2003 primarily regulates to***co products, while many herbal ci******es marketed as to***co-free fall outside its scope.
Lead author said several herbal cigarette brands made claims related to stress relief, better sleep and cough reduction despite limited scientific evidence regarding their safety.
Researchers stressed that while the study did not directly assess disease outcomes, it focused on the harmful properties and biological reactivity of smoke emissions.
The findings come ahead of on May 31, which this year carries the theme “Unmasking the appeal: countering ni****ne and to***co addiction.”

Discover the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign—where innovation, community, and discovery drive world-class learning, research, and public impact.

29/05/2026

NSF ADOPTS RESOLUTION TO RE-STRENGTHEN NAGA UNITY AT 2ND FEDERAL ASSEMBLY
KOHIMA, MAY 29 (NTNews): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has unanimously adopted a significant resolution on “Re-strengthening Naga Unity and Collective Identity” during its 2nd Federal Assembly held at Jongpha Village in Western Rengma, Karbi Anglong, Assam, hosted by the Rengma Students’ Union (RSU).
In a press release issued on May 28, the Federation stated that the resolution was adopted in view of the evolving challenges confronting the Naga people. The Assembly emphasized that despite artificial boundaries and geographical divisions imposed upon the Nagas, all Nagas must remain united under the enduring spirit of “One Voice, One Naga.”
The Assembly called upon all sections of Naga society to rise above differences and collectively strengthen solidarity, cooperation and mutual understanding for the welfare, security and future of the Naga people.
Following deliberations, the August House reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Naga unity and advancing the shared vision and aspirations of the Naga people “in one voice and one spirit.”
The Federation also extended solidarity to Naga people affected by the ongoing conflict in Southern Nagalim and strongly condemned attacks on Naga civilians by Kuki militants and their associates. Reiterating its stand, the Federation stated that “Any attack on one Naga is an attack on all Nagas.”
Further, the NSF appealed to all Naga citizens to uphold prayers for the well-being, safety, peace and unity of the Naga people wherever they may be.

29/05/2026