NPCC celebrates Nehru’s birth anniversary

Kohima, April 16 (MExN): NPCC celebrated the extended 125th birth anniversary of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru at Congress Bhavan, Kohima on April 15.   Recounting the life of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, former president of NPCC, I. Imkong said from 1919 till World War II, Nehru went through a difficult time and was jailed nine times, informed a release from Media Cell, NPCC. He said it was during this time that Nehru penned the famed letters to his daughter Indira Gandhi which became the book “Glimpses of World History” and that the book inspired him to “work for the Nagas as a Naga nationalist.” He stated that it was Nehru who led India to what it is today and lauded his vision in adopting the 5-year planning system which has moulded the nation to what it is today till Modi came to power. Imkong also acknowledged that “he was the main person who along with his colleagues gave Nagas statehood through the 16th-Point Agreement.”

  Speaking on ‘Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in the context of Nagaland’, NPCC President, K. Therie said on January 10, 1929, leaders from Nagaland represented to the India Statutory Commission (popularly known as Sir Simon Commission) camp in Kohima, requesting that the Nagas be exempted from reforms and new taxes proposed in British India and should be left alone to determine their own future. He said that when a delegate from Nagaland met Nehru in 1946, they were diplomatically replied and urged to join the Union of India with autonomous powers which the Naga leaders rejected. “In 1959 when Nagaland Peoples Convention delegate met Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, he patiently heard the delegates and agreed to the 16 Points with NPC,” he said.   Therie further said it was on August 1, 1960, Nehru declared in the Lok Sabha that it had been decided to create a new 16th State within the Indian Union known as Nagaland. Appreciating Nehru’s farsighted vision, Therie said, “Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision on secularism was the protector of the NE and its multi-cultures, customs and social practices. It is appropriate for the Northeast to pay our humble respects and honour to him for we owe him all that we have after India’s Independence.”   General Secretary, NPCC, Jonathan Ao, read out the resolutions to the house which were adopted.   Meanwhile, NPCC resolved to undertake tree plantation in school compounds all over the state by all Congress Units, i.e. ACCC/DCC & PCC with name plates to honour and remember Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It decided to appeal to members to contribute Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru’s portrait to be put up in schools.