Wednesday 30 November 2016

Meet the Tangkhul Naga Shimray who became an overnight sensation

No matter in which age just follows and you will succeed: Homsing Shimray

Homsing Ronra Shimray a Tangkhul Naga from Ukhrul, Manipur has become an overnight sensation after making his presence in the social media with his voice after his blind audition at “The Voice of Germany” that saw him performing “Shadow of the Day” by Linkin Park.
He managed to impress Judge Andreas Bourani during the blind auditions of a music show ‘The Voice of Germany, season six’. 
Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation

Yet unlike the ordinary person, Shimray did not even own a guitar before the show, but that didn’t let him down but he went on to win the heart of the audience as he performed ‘Shadow of the day’ on the stage.
Shimray resides in Karlsruhe City in Germany, who makes a living working at the company called Spedition logistic, a warehouse for export and import of goods.
The 39-year-old Shimray is a father of three kids who was married to a German but later got divorced in 2013.
Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation

“My life changed after my divorce... not knowing what and how to go on... but I had my good friends (pastors) who always encouraged me helping me with my spiritual life.
Shimray also laments he is not permitted to visit his kid often because of the Germany law after divorce and has been living alone for a while in his apartment, he says “seeing my kids every after 14 days, that’s a tough life, Germany laws”
Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation

Music has been part and parcel of his life; he started to take a keen interest in singing at the early and he did perform his first show in the school when he was seven years old. On music, he said “Music is something which was and is in my blood from the time I could understand”
On asked if his family was supportive enough of his music career, Shimray said “Family and friends are my biggest fans without them I could not move forward... it’s just that we are not from a well-off family we all just try out things with what we have. I never had my own guitar. But I was never disappointed.”
Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation

On asked why he was a late bloomer with his music, “I keep on moving even though I know it’s going to be a long process. But then after getting married I thought it’s over... I rarely have time for my own. Use to play and lead worship in our local church... but could not go on further. Everything new began after departing with my ex- wife ” says Shimray.
On his journey to Germany, he says “I got married to a German woman. We met in India during our Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Youth with a Mission (YWAM), got married and stayed in India for few years. When our first son was born she wanted to go to Germany promising to return back after some years but after we reached Germany in the year 2007 we never came back again until now.”
Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation

As a father, he wanted to show his kids never give up and follow their dreams and that age doesn’t matter when it comes to talent.  “The reason I went to the voice of Germany is I want to be a good example for my kids that when you have your dream, you should never give up. To reach what you dream of-needs faith and endurance. No matter in which age-just follow and you will succeed,” says Shimray.  He also said after he joined The Voice, he started to try pop and rock music.
Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation
Credit- Prosieben / Sat1. / Rechard Heubner

As fate favoured him, after his impressive audition, Shimray shared the crowd joining in chorus with the birthday song to wish him that gave him the feeling of ‘the happiest man alive at that moment’.
On being in the show, he said “The voice of Germany has changed my whole view of music, coming up to this level of world music. At first i thought i made it but to be in the music bussiness needs a strong patient attitude and you slowly realise the music you thought it may bring you so far just ends up nowhere but when you want to be in music business”

On Nagas, he said “We are not so far from it but there some things we need to change mentally and socially. Nagas have many gifted and talented musicians and singers... almost everyone is born to sing. “

“I am hoping someday I will uplift the younger generation who wants and willing to join in the music world.” 
Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation

Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation
Credit- Prosieben / Sat1. / Rechard Heubner

Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation
Credit- Prosieben / Sat1. / Rechard Heubner

Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation
Credit- Prosieben / Sat1. / Rechard Heubner

Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation
Credit- Prosieben / Sat1. / Rechard Heubner

Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation


Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation
Credit- Prosieben / Sat1. / Rechard Heubner

Sunday 27 November 2016

Together “As one”: Nagaland spreads peace through Music to all mankind

Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind
The music video "As One" has gone viral  in Nagaland ever since the video was uploaded on November 24, today as on Sunday, 11,500 has viewed the video.  The compilation of languages that reside in Nagaland makes the video appealing and makes you feel oneness as you watch the video.
It gives you the thrill as you listen to the tunes of the music sang by different artist from different communites, the mixture language in a video makes you a must watch.
It makes sense when I say together as one; because the video tries to promotes peace to all the mankind and that we respect every community that resides in Nagaland.
Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind
The music video “As One” was created by Voice of Nagaland with the intention of “peace and harmony” among the community, the video was represented from all communities and tribes in Nagaland.
Initially, the video was released on November 15 by Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang at his residential office in Kohima.
Through this video, the group aims to bridge the communal disparities and lack of unity among the people of Nagaland. The project took over a year and a half to complete, the organiser mentioned.
Chief Minister of Nagaland said “such harmony message to people through collective, beautiful and colourful voices of talented Nagaland people showing their united voice chorus together for love of peace.”
Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind









Voice of Nagaland is a group that manages artists and promotes younger talents and nurture the upcoming generation especially in the field of singing and performing.
The team of Voice of Nagaland led by its managing director Zangzang Zeliang, advisor Sandeep, Asigwangle Zeliang and K.K. Paul.
Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind
 “Through this video let the people be reminded that all is not lost and this still is a chance for peace in our land,” the team wrote in a press release to the media houses in Nagaland.
The sense of togetherness or a feeling of oneness is shown by the Nagaland through Music. The Nagaland choir recently launched uploaded a video as one which represents the tribes and community residing in Nagaland spreading the message that peace exist in Nagaland.
Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind
If we talk northeast and music, I think we have marked their way ahead in Music, for instance, Shillong Chamber Choir won the India got talent in October 2010.
While in Nagaland such as Aloba Naga (Winner of 2012 Best Indian Act at MTV Europe Music Award), a reputed band from Nagaland had toured the entire world,
Some of the Naga artist songs were even in the nominees of the Grammy award,James Basnet’s songs ‘officially made it on the 58th GRAMMY’s 1 Round Ballot while Abiogenesis, made it to the 51st Grammy Awards with five entries in four categories. Their earlier album, ‘Aeon Spell’ was also listed in the 50th Grammy Awards in two categories.
Let's all give cheer to Nagaland for once. If you haven’t watched the video, click the link and watch, it gives you the feeling of oneness as all the language are put together in a music video.  
With inputs from Eastern Mirror

Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind
Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind
Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind
Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind
Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind
Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind
Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind
Together “As one”: Nagaland spread peace through Music to all mankind





Monday 21 November 2016

Nagaland newspapers came in support of clean elections

In an autonomous decision, the seven newspapers in Nagaland came together for a cause and decided to support clean election campaign in Nagaland by refusing to publish any news related i.e. advertisement or news by village councils or any other non-political organization that seeks in support of one candidate. 

Nagaland newspapers came in support of clean elections
Source: Eastern Mirror

The ongoing clean election campaign was launched in Nagaland by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) on June 26, 2012 which has been going on until this year; the media came in support of clean election.

The church also has released a booklet to educate the people on the prevailing election system and urged the people to rise to the occasion to stand and act together for free and fair elections.
The campaign was led under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Zelhou keyho.


Nagaland newspapers came in support of clean elections
Advertisement that came out in local dailies 

But this will be good news to all the people of Nagaland because the media i.e newspaper will support the clean election.

Newspapers are the face of media in Nagaland, with the other visual media showing little impact on the local people on knowledge and information.In fact, Nagaland doesn’t even have a TV news channel except for Doordarshan which is being ignored after the introduction of DishTV in Nagaland.
All the editors of Nagaland Page, Nagaland Post, Eastern Mirror, Tir Yimyim, Ao Milen, Capi, Morung Express have taken the pledgeThis statement was made available to the people on Monday, November 21, 2016; a pledge taken to stop publishing any news or advertisement that hinder the right of human, one man one vote.
A report from eastern mirror reads “We, the Editors representing the newspapers in Nagaland State make this joint statement affirming our commitment to the call of “Clean Elections in Nagaland.”In the spirit of achieving ‘Clean Elections,’ our newspapers aspire to attain high standards of journalistic ethics and responsibility, and expect journalists throughout Nagaland to adhere to these same standards.”
Earlier, this issue was burnt up recently by Nagaland page editor during the National press day in Dimapur; she said that she doesn’t take any kind of news or advertisement related in her paper no support any political parties. Therefore she encourages the other paper who were present during the program/  The Morung Express editor on the spot pledge that it would do the same and would stop publishing any news related to support of one man.
Nagaland newspapers came in support of clean elections
Source: The Morung Express


Thus, Morung express became a hit on social media with the message

But now the real action will take place, lets us see how long this will last in Nagaland.






Tuesday 15 November 2016

Kivi Zhimomi and the battles in his football journey thus far

The academy boy who now spars with the big boys
With the Indian Super League in the national circuit and closer home: MDFA Trophy, NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy dominating our sports pages currently, Eastern Mirror is  delighted to promote Naga footballers and encourage them in their pursuit of a career in football.  


With the likes of Khwetelhi Thopi, Lironthung, Hitova Ayemi, to name a few, Nagas have found presence in the national arena in football after moving away from the state opting for better facilities and proper training, development in football. This lack of facilities and proper training has been the root cause behind the exodus of every player in Nagaland football.

Nagaland doesn’t even have football grounds with artificial turfs, ending the hopes of the youth and the proper growth of football. The only premier league in Nagaland has also died a strange death a few years ago.

In this edition, we reacquaint with a footballer who is a household name here in the state.

Kivi Zhimomi, a 20-year-old is a striker from Rangdajied United FC, Shillong, and a product of Dimapur sports academy. He was also a former player of Mohammedan Sporting Club, Kolkata, one of the oldest clubs in Asia. Kivi was also one of the players who dazzled in the now-defunct Nagaland Premier League, especially in its debut season.  



Kivi V Zhimomi was born and brought up in Dimapur and is the youngest of six children. He started his football career in the year 2010 from state sports academy, Dimapur.
               
Zhimomi says: “I have played the first edition of Nagaland Premier League for Naga Tornadoes and 2nd edition for Kohima Komets and then  for Mohammedan Sporting Club Kolkata in 2014 and currently I'm in Rangdajied United FC, Shillong playing  in Shillong Premier League. And now my aim is to play Indian Super League and I-League.”

He can play as striker or winger. 


Zhimomi admitted that he left his studies behind in order to pursue his career in football. “I left studying because I think football can be taken up as my career too and I believe that I will make it someday by the grace of our almighty God which is why I gave up my studies.”
               
On his favourite match, he recollects ‘the match against Mohammedan Sporting Club where I was awarded as man-of-the-match and that was why I was given the offer to sign for them for Kolkata Premier League.’


The biggest scare in a footballer life is when they are injured, Zhimomi says. “In 2014 when I was having a groin injury and I had to rest for 8 months,” is the period in his career that he identifies with regret. “As a football player, I have faced lots of hardships and difficulties but through prayer and hard work I could overcome all.”


Some of his achievements are winner medals in Classic Cup, NSF Martyrs' tournament, 1st edition of Assam Premier League and recently the 2nd National Level North East Games, and some individual prizes. 

On the sports academy in Dimapur, he says: “Yes, it's a good academy and most of the finest players in Nagaland right now are the products of that academy.”

He also bemoaned the lack of proper facilities and infrastructures in Nagaland and wished those to be upgraded, with hope, he says: “I believe much more good players will come up because we Nagas are second to none.”


“Nagaland is a football crazy state  but there are lots of things to be done like setting up the grassroots level academy, proper facilities and infrastructures and exposures  and platforms like Nagaland Premier League so that players can showcase their talents and can take up football as a career. Naga players are naturally talented but need more dedication, hard work and discipline,” he says.

On his view on the now-defunct Nagaland Premier League, Zhimomi says: “It was because of that many players could showcase their talents and improve their skills and I think Nagaland Football Association must restart the Nagaland Premier League”.

“Naga kids are to be more disciplined dedicated, hard work, put more effort and never give up until you achieve your dream. The scripture says: Without faith, it is impossible to please Him. So, believe in yourself and make your dreams come true.”





Naga footballer who plays for Rangdajied United FC Shillong

Ating’s quest for his place in the ‘game of hope’
Just as it had sprang out of nowhere in the beginning, the Nagaland Premier League (NPL), after two mere seasons, was laid to rest abruptly a few years ago. The now defunct NPL was the only link to I-League (2nd division) for the aspiring footballers from Nagaland.
Even as the Nagaland football administration continues to stumble from one embarrassment to another, we are left with the sinking conclusion that perhaps the undertaker has indeed buried the NPL for good. Never to be resurrected again.

Over the years, Nagaland has witnessed a consistent cycle of annual football tournaments. To name a few, here are some of the major football tournaments played every year in Nagaland: NSF Martyrs’ trophy, MDFA trophy, Loyem Memorial Senior Soccer Open Championship, Classic Cup, Chizami Cup, Royal Cup, Capt Kengruse Memorial Football tournament and many more.
But without link to any other major leagues, these tournaments – despite their wide-scale popularity among the fans here – limit the players’ talent only within the state. With this limitation, our players have struggled to find a way out to make it in bigger professional leagues. However, there are few exceptional players who have overcome these hurdles to further their career in football outside Nagaland.



Eastern Mirror has been, for some few months, featuring this rare group of players. Today, we present to you another household name, who hails from the eastern corner of our state. He goes by the name of Tingnyek (Ating) Konyak, another graduate from the State Football Academy in Dimapur.
With Kivi Zhimomi (whom we have featured already) he has formed perhaps the best known midfield partnership in Nagaland football, right from the academy days. The footballing-twins have played every level together, and even today, they have been signed by the Shillong-based Rangdajied United FC.
It was while he was still in high school, at Greenwood School, that a teenage Ating was selected to represent the Nagaland under-14 team at Subroto Cup in 2007. The introduction to Subroto Cup at the early age convinced him to pursue a career in professional football. 

In an interaction with Eastern Mirror, he credited coach Mughato Aye for the player that he has become today. Right from the academy to the first edition of the NPL, where Ating played for the Naga Tornadoes, Mughato has been his coach and mentor.
At 26 now, Ating is the youngest among the four children of his parents who resides at Lapa Lampong Tizit in Mon district. His father, Honlem Konyak was also a football player and it was him who inspired a young Ating to play football.
While playing for the Nagaland state team at last year’s National Level North East Games in Manipur (which they won), he was spotted by the scouts of Rangdajied, and duly signed up later. He now earns his living as a central midfielder for the Shillong-based club.
“Nagas lack coaching or clinics that can upgrade the football players to build up their carrier. Nagas are born talented but we lack platforms and exposures, we don’t have grassroots level football coaching or any clinic which will help to improve individual's quality as a player,” he said when asked for his view on the football scenario in Nagaland.
“What I observed and learned is that in other states there are 3-4 divisions (football league) and because of that there is competition among the clubs and the players and as a result these players improves individually. Now our top priority is to revive Nagaland Premier League for developing football in Nagaland.”

On why Naga footballers opt to play in states, he said: “There is less platforms and exposures, less investment and less competitions so the players themselves have to move out or try outside the state where there are better chances of going further and achieve one's goal otherwise we could end up just being a seasonal players. I think these are the reasons and problems faced by Naga players.”
Like millions of football players and fans across the globe, he also identifies the Barcelona magician Lionel Messi as his idol. “Lionel Messi is my role model because of his calm and cool temperament on the pitch which I admire the most, apart from his quick and goal scoring feet.”

To aspiring footballers in Nagaland, he had this message: “To be self-disciplined, to have determination and dedication, be humble, never give up no matter how many times you fail, work hard because hard work beats talent and most of all put God first and you will never be last.”
He encouraged youngsters to make football a career choice saying, “there are lot more in football than what we see and believe, it is more than just a game. It is a game of hope.”Ating also shared that his dream was to “play top flight football and put on the national jersey.”
For so many years, Nagaland has been left behind the northeast states, be it in football or any other sports. If we are to reverse it, we need to start from scratch – like Ating has said, “from the grassroots level” – but are we willing to invest in football, and in our players?