Kohima, Oct 27: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged architects in the state to take the lead in promoting safe, sustainable, and locally inspired design practices, highlighting the profession’s significant role in employment generation and economic growth.
Speaking as Guest of Honour at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Association of Nagaland Architects (ANA) held at Chümoukedima on Saturday under the theme “Celebrating Community, Nurturing Creativity,” Rio described the milestone as a reflection of vision, perseverance, and the profession’s contribution to shaping Nagaland’s urban landscape.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated an exhibition showcasing home and décor materials. Recalling ANA’s early efforts in advocating for development controls and building bye-laws, he termed them a crucial foundation for organised, safe, and sustainable urban growth in the state.
Rio commended ANA for evolving into a strong professional body with over 120 registered architects engaged in policymaking, government service, private practice, and entrepreneurship. He said architects serve as custodians of heritage, interpreters of culture, and visionaries of the future, adding that every design should reflect the traditional Naga ethos while embracing modern functionality.
Pointing out that Nagaland falls under “Earthquake Zone 5,” Rio stressed that this reality must guide all design and construction decisions. He also emphasised the potential of the construction sector as the state’s largest employment generator and urged ANA to train and empower local youth, masons, engineers, and artisans in sustainable building technologies.
“By empowering our workforce, you are not just constructing buildings; you are constructing careers and strengthening our economy,” Rio said, calling on architects to combine safety with creativity and purpose in their work.
Dr Gauri Nitin Shiurkar, Member of the Council of Architecture (India), praised Nagaland’s architectural legacy as a model of sustainability, culture, and innovation, and encouraged the integration of traditional knowledge with modern design technologies.
The event also paid tribute to the late C. Yantsushan Murry, the first Naga architect, along with other pioneers who contributed to laying the foundation for the architectural profession in Nagaland.
