Chümoukedima, Nagaland: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has issued a strong call to the state’s architects, urging them to champion safe, sustainable, and locally inspired architecture as a critical engine for employment and economic growth.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Association of Nagaland Architects (ANA), held under the theme “Celebrating Community, Nurturing Creativity” in Chümoukedima, Rio asserted that safety and sustainability must be core principles of architectural practice. He challenged the professionals to harmoniously integrate innovation with cultural identity, designing spaces that are functional while remaining deeply rooted in Naga heritage. The Chief Minister emphasized the broader role of the profession, stating, “Architects are not just designers of buildings; they are custodians of our heritage, interpreters of our culture, and visionaries of our future,” encouraging them to shape spaces that reflect Nagaland’s ethos while embracing modern technology.
The event, which was also addressed by Dr. Gauri Nitin Shiurkar, a member of the Council of Architecture (India), saw Rio inaugurate an exhibition of home and décor materials before his address. Dr. Shiurkar commended the state, describing Nagaland as “a living laboratory of sustainable and cultural architecture,” and stressed the need to blend traditional wisdom with contemporary design technologies. Rio also took time to reflect on ANA’s early, instrumental efforts to introduce development controls and building bye-laws, initiatives he credited with laying the foundation for “organised, safe, and sustainable urban growth.”
The Chief Minister lauded ANA’s journey from its inception to becoming a robust professional body of over 120 registered architects contributing across government, private, and entrepreneurial sectors. He highlighted the significant economic impact of the construction industry, labeling it as Nagaland’s “largest employment engine.” Acknowledging the state’s vulnerability, Rio reminded the audience that Nagaland falls under “Earthquake Zone 5,” underscoring that safety can never be compromised. He made a direct appeal to ANA to train and empower local youth, engineers, masons, and artisans in modern and eco-friendly construction techniques, stating, “By empowering our local workforce, you are not just constructing buildings; you are constructing careers and strengthening our economy.”
Rio concluded by urging the architectural community to pursue its mission with renewed purpose: to innovate responsibly, mentor the next generation, and ultimately build a resilient Nagaland that is “beautiful, sustainable, and proud of its identity.” The celebration also included a tribute to C. Yantsushan Murry, Nagaland’s first architect, and other pioneers who established the profession in the state.
