Nagaland: Yosef Chase receives NE Sanstha Award
Nagaland: 81-year-old Yosey Chase of Viswema village was presented with the Northeast Sanstha Award at the Northeast Conference 2026 held on March 1st at the Malvankar Auditorium of the Constitution Club in New Delhi.
The award was given for his lifelong and selfless service to the preservation of the indigenous Angami Naga (Sanatan) religion and culture, as well as his contribution to strengthening the community.
Born in a humble farming family, Chase upheld the values ​​of hard work, discipline, and preservation of cultural roots throughout his life. Alongside his career as a government primary school teacher, he emerged as a dedicated cultural custodian at a time when ancestral traditions and belief systems were being severely eroded.
As a key leader of the Japfu Fiki Phutsana Keseko Keho and founder of the Japfu Fiki Phutsana School, he spearheaded the community’s efforts to preserve indigenous religious practices, revive traditional festivals, and promote culturally grounded education for future generations. His leadership helped strengthen community trust, protect intangible heritage, and foster unity through cultural self-reliance. Through his quiet yet profound service, he continues to embody India’s pluralism, constitutional values, and enduring cultural ethos.
The Northeast Sanstha Award is a recognition given to organizations, individuals, or initiatives for their significant contributions to the development and progress of Northeast India.
