About Us

I believe that no matter what situation one may face, one should never stop believing because as the song goes “…there can be miracles, when you believe…” After all, the journey that got me here started with one person believing that I can do more than I think I am capable of. If someone had told me ten years ago that I would start an organisation like this, I would have scoffed at it. I was more of a follower rather than a leader but as a student of Human Rights, I was finding it difficult to contain my frustration with the situation of environment and human rights in my State and across the country. In January, 2016, someone told me that he believed that I can do the unthinkable if only I try and that somehow pushed me to stop being a ‘dreamer’ and be a ‘doer’ instead. Realising the need of an organisation that is dedicated and committed in addressing the environmental issues along with human rights, on 27th April, 2016, the seed for this organisation was planted. Every year, we toil harder to reach our goal and make it grow, despite the various shortcomings faced I admit our work is challenging and the indifferent mindset of the people towards environment and human rights, makes it more difficult. However, I feel that ignoring the environment is akin to destroying our future. And if we want a safe and healthy environment for both the present and future generations, we need to address the plethora of environmental concerns stemming mainly from anthropogenic activities. With one small step at a time, we are marching towards creating a sustainable world and believe that mankind will come together in this endeavour. Lastly, I would like to share a quote I came up with when people asked me whether the work I do is worth the sacrifices made; “Maybe the reason you were born is to make the world better for others.”

During my time in Lancaster PA USA, I had the privileged of getting acquainted with the Amish community and experiencing their culture. The unique lifestyle, interwoven with the traditional way of living as farmers or carpenters in the present age, intrigued me. They are the most hard-working people I have met; and their practice and lifestyle, being self-sufficient, also has a relatively low carbon footprint. I have always thought about our (Nagas’) own culture and future. We may not be able to achieve an “Amish” lifestyle but we surely can learn to live together in harmony with the environment. I believe that with a little determination and hard work, we can turn Nagaland into a fully self-sufficient State. That is why I became a part of LiFE; to contribute towards attaining the goal of preserving our nature and creating pathways for a sustainable future. Our team at LiFE believes strongly that we can coexist with nature and at the same time, achieve all round development.

Nagaland is predominantly an agrarian economy. For the longest time, I have been concerned about our natural resources and the environment, as a whole. I have been fortunate to work in various sectors and this has helped me understand and see things from a different perspective. In addition, it has also made me realize not only to give-back to our society but to protect our flora and fauna for both the present and future generations. At LiFE, I can give voice to my concern and at the same time, build our community to be resilient and sustainable. It is not an easy feat but I believe that here at LiFE, we can accomplish the ‘unimaginable’ because of our unwavering commitment and dedication.

Like the well-known saying, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” it takes ‘You’, ‘Me’ and ‘Us’ to bring about the change that the world needs now. LiFE has taken its commitment of creating a better world for everyone by embodying this saying. LiFE aims at bridging the gap between environment and human activities by conducting research and assessments; and working hand-in-hand with the Government and communities. As an advocate and individual, it is a privilege to make a positive contribution in the growth and development of the society, and also making a positive impact in your life as well by making a significant contribution towards a better tomorrow.

While pursuing my interest as a Graphic Designer, I had the privilege of working outside the State. That opportunity opened a lot of doors but at the same time, also made me realise the difficulties our people have in availing quality education. This prompted me to open an institute in Nagaland, focusing primarily on graphic design and photography. The goal was to build the skills of the youth and make them 'exceptional leaders' in the creative industry; because, I firmly believe that our community/society has to be built first if we want to "make a mark" in the world. What started as a request to design their logo ended up forging a strong rapport centered on our profound concern for our State's environment and future. I found LiFE to be an organisation that was genuinely committed to the cause of not only the environment but for our State as well. Their approach and work impressed me and when I was asked to join their team, I enthusiastically agreed. I believe in "LiFE" and that we "ought" to work together towards a "sustainable" future.