Nagaland on Thursday recognized the achievements of 19 personalities who have made a positive difference to the State. These personalities from various fields were felicitated at the 1st Nagaland Red Carpet Social Awards held at the Imliyanger Memorial Centre (IMC Hall), Dimapur.

Organized by Mumbai based Find Studioz, the first edition of the award ceremony was graced by renowned Bollywood actress Mahima Choudhury as the celebrity guest besides Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Sushil Kumar Patel as the chief guest, reported Nagaland Post.

Addressing the gathering, the actor of the nineties, Mahima said she has a deep love for the culture of Nagas and has a number of Naga shawls at her home. She said she has been visiting Nagaland from her early years and always has had felt happy visiting the northeastern region.

Appreciating the endeavours and works of film producer Rebecca Changkija Sema who is one of the co-founders of the award show, Mahima said Rebecca has achieved much and is now a Bollywood producer and recognizing the ‘unsung heroes’ of Nagaland is a great initiative.

Sushil Kumar, extending New Year greetings from the administration, said ‘there is a hero in each one of us and there are heroes amongst us and there is a need to recognize those heroes’.

He said such recognition would motivate them to do more good works in the years to come.

Parliamentary secretary for Tourism C Apok Jamir who was also present during the ceremony called it a noble cause to recognize the unsung heroes who, according to him, make the society a composite one.

Rebecca in her speech said that the unemployment rate in the State is alarming and questioned why people need to depend on government to change the society. She called people to have vision and that true blind people are those who don’t have visions and asked people to help each other. She also expressed that the whole arrangement for the programme was accomplished in mere fourteen days.

Co-founder and director Shiraz Henry on the occasion revealed that Find Studioz would be bringing out two to three Bollywood movies this year which were shot in parts of the North-east and have Naga artistes involved.

The ceremony also had a number of beautiful performances put up by different groups including Abiogenesis, Hill Theatre, Kartik & group, T.I.M.E and Richa Production besides two thoughtful performances by a group of special children.