Speech Of Isak Chishi Swu, Yaruiwo
I give my warmest greetings to all people of Nagalim on this auspicious Republic Day. It is a grand jubilee for us! We will no longer allow any powers, alien or domestic to rule over us. It is a historic change from the old system into the new one. The language of Republic as the world understands is that, the head of the government is to be elective not hereditary. Government of a people is the sacred business of the people, not the prerogative of a dynasty, an aristocratic circle, a privileged class or a hereditary king. Republic is the stamp of the Naga government. NSCN will always uphold the republic of Nagalim.
Any political party or organization or council that be, is only a form without contents unless it is wedded to the trust of a people. NSCN has not only been faithful to the nation, but also the bulwark of the national trust. Our people know NSCN has never ever deserted the cause, but it has always stood the ground when the storm rocked the boat. We hold fast to the national principle above gold and position for the reason that our national future lies in our national principle. As fruits come from the seed so our principle determines who we are. Our history, identity, culture and religion come from our principle, which is our root. Thousands of patriots have died as martyrs in defending the national principle. Thousands of NSCN cadres are fully prepared to defend it in days to come too. What do we have in our hand if our inherent universal right to self-determination is murdered? We will fall when our foundation falls.
NSCN has introduced the culture of collective decision making in the set-up. This is one of the finest cultures that has been in practice in most of the Naga village-states. The culture of collective decision-making is the essence of our democracy.
We value our land and mineral resources as priceless because it is our lifeline. No one should gamble with land. Talking of politics without land is a wishful thinking. Our politics, history, culture and identity are rooted in our land. All wars in history were fought over land. Nagalim is our inheritance from the Lord. It is our hearth and grave. We are born and brought up here and we will die here. We are deeply related to our land. Every son and daughter of Nagalim must honor our land.
We trust in the God of universe. He is the Centre of sovereign power, who rules both in heaven and on earth. Kingdoms come and go according to His will. We believe building of Nagalim apart from His word is a house of cards. We cannot exist independent of Him spiritually, politically, economically, socially and individually. To be independent of him is out of the track. God, land and people are inseparably interrelated and interdependent. Our revolutionary fathers laid the foundation of our land on the rock of the word of God. 'Nagalim for Christ' is the covenant of God with the Nagas, which we are made to understand that Nagalim is going to be a channel of world evangelization in this last part of the century.
We strongly advocate for our social values that have been in practice since time immemorial. Nagas are community-oriented people. The culture of sharing one's wealth with others; the culture of working together, eating together, dancing together, singing together in times of peace and the culture of fighting and defending together against the aggressors in times of war is ageless gold for us. The land holding system of private land, clans' land and the community land is what the political teachers call socialist economic spirit. This kind of socialist spirit sustains the world of the Nagas thus far. Based on this social ethos, NSCN has declared socialist economic pattern that can promote and protect the national economy of the Nagas. The economy of Nagalim cannot be placed in the hand of a few social parasites.
We are deeply committed to seeking political solution to the long-standing Indo-¬Naga problem. And that, we are engaged in dialogue with the government of India for arriving at an honorable solution based on 'two entities', 'the unique history and situation of the Nagas.' Foundations for solution have been laid. Many rational people opine that 'a kind of solution that embraces all Naga territories and guarantees the future of the Nagas and the interests of India may be an option.' We will be faithful to our commitment. We know serious consequences naturally follow when one goes back upon his word. Indian leaders should not keep on playing trick on the future of millions of Nagas. We believe they too will be true to their word.
We know this is the world where one cannot live in total isolation from others. Nagas should not and cannot stay away from their neighboring people and nations. We must live together with them in harmonious interdependent relationship. However, if any dispute or problem arises, we would go for the option of settling the dispute through mutual understanding and discussion. We are for a negotiated settlement of our problem with India and Burma. Fighting kills people, but negotiation saves them. War destroys kingdoms, but negotiation builds them. We believe in negotiation, not confrontation.
It is our declared stand that we will forgive and reconcile with our brothers in different factional camps in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. But it should be in the political line of the people in as much as it is political. It will be a futile exercise to unite with those people if they come with enemies' agenda. Playing trick on the reconciliation and unity move will be a serious political crime. All groups should be sincere and straightforward. To us, reconciliation process does not end with the factions. It will go to the people, our neighbors and enemies. We have to reconcile even with God. Reconciliation is a political necessity. All Nagas must unite to build a land of peace and prosperity and leave a bright future for the coming generations.
Kuknalim
