Chairperson Achumbemo Kikon, Hon’ble Chief Minister Nagaland and His cabinet Colleague’s, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLA’s, Govt. Officials, Pastor. Sentisashi KABA, President and colleagues of Naga Students Federation, Secretary General, Convenors and members of Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, all past Presidents and leaders of Naga Students Federation, President Naga Hoho and members, ANSAM & ATSUM, UNC, ENPO & ENSF, members of NBCC and church leaders, all federating units of Naga Students Federation, the Press fraternity, beloved students, ladies and gentlemen.
I want to thank the organisers for giving me this opportunity to share a few words on how this Naga Solidarity Park came into being. It is true we are here today because there was a beginning. At a time like this, it is appropriate to acknowledge the past so that we are able to assess the present and regain our strength in this long - let me call it, Naga Peoples journey for truth, justice and freedom.
The idea of a Naga Solidarity Park was the outcome of the collective efforts of like-minded Naga Human Rights activist, student leaders, academician, lawyers and concerned Naga men and women in 1993. On Human Rights Day 10th December 1992 the than UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali declared 1993 as the year for the world’s Indigenous Peoples with the theme; “Indigenous People; New Partnership”. Following the declaration made by the UN, the Federal Assembly of the Naga Students Federation in its 15th General Conference held at Ukhrul in 1993 endorsed for celebration of the Indigenous Year along with the rest of the world. Subsequently the NSF and NPMHR came together to jointly organize the celebration.
It was this year that a new awakening arose in the minds and hearts of Naga people. An intensive tour of Naga areas, followed by thorough deliberation amongst like-minded and concerned Nagas continued for months to decide on the status of the Nagas in the context of Indigenous peoples. The wider consultation ended with a consensus that Nagas can be categorised as indigenous peoples (first settlers) of Naga areas. Thereupon, it was collectively decided that we celebrate the year, along with the World Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations. It was this year for the first time Nagas got an opportunity to officially present our case (the political right of the Nagas) in its right perspective to the international platform and later to the U.N. The Naga Students Federation and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights for the first time jointly participated in International meetings and presented a written paper which was collectively framed as “Nagas in the International Year of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples - A Prerogative” in 1993 during the first gathering of Indigenous peoples of Asia continent, initiated under Asian Indigenous Peoples Pact, Chaing Mai, Thailand.
Following the celebration of the year 1993 at the UN for the worlds Indigenous People the UN decided to commit a decade for the indigenous people to redress the issues faced by the indigenous peoples all over the world. A period from (1995-2004) was declared as the first decade with the theme “Indigenous people: partnership in action”. A commitment was made by the UN to establish a Permanent forum for Indigenous peoples in the UN system under ECOSOC during the first decade. Following this a Permanent Forum comprising of 16 members, 8 representing governments and 8 chosen from Indigenous people came into being in the year 2000. At the close of the 1st decade 2004, during the tenure of Achumbemo Kikon as NSF President, the Nagas under the NSF and NPMHR celebrated the close of the decade along with the rest of the world. Maharani of Tripura was invited as the Chief Guest and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was the Guest of Honour. All these activities around the world was instrumental towards declaration of the second decade. During the 59th session of the UN a second decade (2005-2015) for the worlds indigenous people was again declared with the theme, “Indigenous people ; partnership for Action and Dignity”. Three more years to go for the second decade to end.
Why I am taking time to say all this is to remind us Nagas, particularly NSF and NPMHR, that our efforts has not been in vain. Let us be reminded that from the very first year in 1993 to this day Nagas have participated and still continues to contribute to all the processes, progress and achievements made by the Indigenous peoples all over the world. If I am to mention few names I would like to give credit to Luingam Luithu, Neingulo Krome and Shimriechon (Chonchon) for their pioneering contributions made in the International Forums.
To celebrate the year of indigenous people with the rest of the world a “Naga Week” was proposed with the theme “Towards our rightful place through healing of our spirits”. A song was also composed on the theme by Dr. Wati Aier which is still popularly sung today. The then Convenor of NPMHR Neingulo Krome, who regrettably could not be here with us today, was the Convenor and I, as the NSF president was the co-convenor. Packed with indigenous activities and games the Naga Week began on 1st Dec. and ended on the 5th Dec. 1993 at the Kohima Local ground. For the first time 28 Naga tribes from different parts of Naga areas came together to display and exhibit the cultural richness of their respective tribe. Each tribe constructed their respective tribe’s hut similar to the Hornbill festival today. I am sure, it will not be wrong to say that the “Naga week” was also instrumental in paving the way for the beginning of the “Hornbill festival”.
The 16 foot long monolith which is erected at the entrance of the park was brought from Wokha district on which is in-scribed “Go and Live out what you have heard from the other side of silence”. This was pulled all the way from Kohima local ground to this Park in full traditional manner involving the entire Naga tribes that had participated in the Naga Week. You will agree with me the gathering during the Naga Week can be recorded as the second largest Naga people gathering after the Naga plebiscite of 1951. I would also like to mention here that all the participants of the Naga Week was gladly hosted by the Kohima Village in a unique Naga traditional way for the whole week. The feeling of brotherhood and affinity felt and experienced during the whole celebration continues to warm our hearts even today.
The very idea behind having a Naga Solidarity Park was that it would be a “sacred” place for us Nagas, to come together to re-strengthen, renew and to re-bond, whatever may come our way. We wanted a Park but we had no land. The NSF & NPMHR collectively approached the State Government after identifying this land to which the State Government without any hesitation allotted the land to us in 1993. We had at that time asked every village to bring one stone each from their respective villages to signify “unity” of the Nagas and to ensure participation of all Nagas. I remember many villages brought the stone during the Week. Some were brought to the Park, while some were collected outside NSF office towards the local ground. The idea was that, the stone collected would be specially placed in such a manner that it would not only signify oneness but add beauty to the Park. Regrettably, the follow up could not be successfully implemented.
Today, I join the rest of the Nagas in extending our gratitude to Neiphiu Rio, Hon’ble Chief Minister Nagaland, and his NPF led DAN Government for his noble vision to build the Naga people. It is true, under his leadership, the Nagas have witnessed a lot of positive changes not only in the present state of Nagaland but in other Naga inhabited areas as well. We hope that you will continue to lead the Nagas with sincerity and honesty as we continue to encounter new challenges.
Beginning from today the Naga Solidarity Park will resume its role as a place for people to come together, to re- bond and re-strengthen the Naga family. While extending our thanks once again to Hon’ble Chief Minister Nagaland, for initiating the development done so far to the Naga Solidarity Park, it is our hope that the present NSF leaders and NPHMR members take care to see that this place is developed and utilised for the benefit of all Nagas keeping in mind the very purpose for which it was established.
Y. Vikheho Swu
Former President NSF
Co-Convenor “Naga Week” 1993
This brief presentation was made during the Inauguration of Naga Solidarity Park on 17 April, 2012, 11 A.M.
