MLA Khashim stands tall as supporters celebrate 'Thanksgiving'
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, November 29 2021: It wasn't just a regular Lord's Day; it was an eventful one bedecked with Thanksgiving, fasting and blessing! It was a celebration of retrospection and introspection.

As the present tenure of Khashim Vashum as the MLA of Chingai AC inches to full circle, over a thousand of supporters including Chingai NPF leaders, and village chiefs and public leaders drawn from around 26 villages in Chingai AC came together for the Thanksgiving, fasting and blessing events in his hometown on Sunday.

The MLA joined the supporters for the grand events, organised back-to-back by Tusom CV Baptist Church and Tusom CV Village Authority in Khashim's honour to ceremonially acknowledge divine goodness and also to mark the beginning of his preparation for the forthcoming Manipur General Assembly Elections- 2022.With his better-half, Planning Vashum by his side, MLA Khashim certainly stood tall as he got the Naga People's Front (NPF) flag hoisted in front of his house at Tusom CV, located about 100 km north of Ukhrul town.

Addressing the gathering of supporters, MLA Khashim Vashum expressed his profound gratitude to the people, village headmen, chairmen, leaders of various organisations and well-wishers for their support and love.

"I am not Tusom MLA; I am the people's representative of Chingai Kendra.

Ensuring uninterrupted power supply, good road communication and delimitation are among my prime concerns," he asserted.

According to him, delimitation could be a tricky exercise and serious thoughts need to be given when it comes to proposed creation of different assembly segments out of the existing Chingai AC.

"I am committed to give my undivided attention to work out what is best for the people," assured MLA Khashim, who is the lone delimitation committee member from the hill districts.

Looking back on his past five years in governance, Khashim said that he has never betrayed the public trust in issues concerning tribal rights and Naga issues.

"In terms of development for the common masses, I have tried and done my level best, though I could not help all the people individually," he said.

He said that the National Highway from Razai to Jessami which was in a state of total neglect was converted into a double-lane as one of his promises to the local people.

He informed that the work has been entrusted to NHIDCL.

"Union minister Nitin Gadkari has also recently sanctioned Rs 1024 Crore for double-laning of the national highway stretch from Yangangpokpi to Jessami in extreme north of Ukhrul district," he disclosed and urged the local village headmen and chairmen to extend maximum support and cooperation so that no time is wasted in the land acquisition process.

Regarding the NPP water supply project in his constituency, he informed that 51 out of 53 villages under Chingai AC have been covered under the scheme and efforts are on to cover the remaining two villages, Peh and Paorei under the scheme.

"In term of road connectivity, majority of rural areas in Chingai AC have been blacktopped," he informed and assured that construction of similar rural roadways in the remaining areas is in the pipeline.

In his speech, headman New Tusom village Shangmayo Vashum reviewed the achievements of the local MLA and appealed to the people of.

Chingai to continue their support to him in the upcoming polls.

SMDC chairman Chinaorar Horam acknowledged the immense contributions of MLA Khashim in education and expressed gratitute for upgrading Tusom High School to Higher Secondary School recently.

MLA Khashim is an asset for the people of Chingai assembly constituency particularly for Tusom villagers, an NPF leader Shimreingam said, while calling for unity within the Tusom village.

"From the party's end, NPF party will do the best for his victory in the coming elections," he added.

Ahead of the blessing ceremony, local headman Rathing Zimik hoisted the NPF party flag to thunderous applause while the theme song 'Ina Leishichingra' (I Will Always Love) was being played.

As many as 26 village chiefs led by Rathing Zimik in a prayerful supplication invoked the Almighty's blessing for the success of Khashim Vashum in the upcoming polls.

This was followed by a traditional chanting besieging triumph in Vashum's political mission.

"Our MLA Khashim was elected through the collective support and mandate of the people of our constituency.

Lets replicate the same unity we maintained as Khashim Vashum has stood up to complete what remains to be done," headman Zimik exhorted.

Earlier in the morning, the Thanksgiving programme was held at the Church.

MLA Khashim Vashum and his family acknowledged the divine grace that has guided him for the past five years of his present tenure as a legislator, as they abstained from food.

Amidst melodies of praise, Pastor Rev Bijoy R Shimray also administered an act of blessing upon MLA Khashim for divine guidance in his future endeavours.

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