MP Tokheho, authors Dr Kuhoi Zhimomi and Khekaho Zhimomi during the book launch at Hotel Acacia, Dimapur on June 4.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 4
A book titled ‘The World’s Youngest General’— a biographical record of General Kaito Sukhai was released at Hotel Acacia Dimapur on Saturday.
The book contains 11 chapters recounting General Kaito’s life and contributions towards the Naga political struggle and is authored by Dr Kuhoi Zhimomi, former State Information Commissioner and brother of General Kaito and Khekaho Zhimomi, a freelance writer and great-nephew of General Kaito. It was launched by Nagaland’s Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, Tokheho Yepthomi.
Launching the book, Tokheho observed that though much has changed in the last 75 years of India’s Independence, the Naga people have remained more or less in the same position. He noted that many divisions in the Naga society began to appear in the 1960s and is still going on in the present day amidst talks of a political solution. “There is still hide and seek, nothing is transparent,” he said.
He called on the gathering, especially the younger generation to read the book and learn from General Kaito on how to serve the people and how to work for the cause of the Nagas. Noting that “We have to uphold the legacy of General Kaito and other leaders of the Sumi community,” Tokheho further emphasised, adding that history—whether good or bad, cannot be distorted.
On the occasion, Dr Kuhoi Zhimomi highlighted a few cardinal points about the book. He noted that the title ‘The World’s Youngest General’ may appear “very provocative” and went on to explain why the title was chosen. He maintained that in September 1962 when General Kaito made a trip to London, at a press conference, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and ‘The Daily Herald’ termed him as ‘The World’s Youngest General,’ and ‘A Born General.’
“They quoted that ‘At the age of 29 years, Kaito would be the World's Youngest Commander-in-Chief’ and but if we go by records, General Kaito, at the age of 23, had been officially appointed as the General Commander-in-Chief of the Naga National Army by the Federal Government of Nagaland on the March 22, 1956. With such confirmation at hand, we had therefore tilted the book as ‘The World’s Youngest General,’” Dr Kuhoi stated while delivering the author’s note.
He said that it took about five years for him and co-author Khekaho Zhimomi to complete the book, which according to him is “a simple, reader friendly, bare account covering his (General Kaito’s) life journey from his birth to his death.”
According to the author, the later part of the book reveals General Kaito’s diplomatic foreign policy, with neighboring countries, and the misconceptions that his own people had about him with regard to the formation of Naga Army Government, and concludes with the clear story of his tragic assassination and death.
Stating that the book is “solely dedicated to all the brave Naga patriots who had sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Naga freedom movement,” Dr Kuhoi further underscored that it was an effort to record General Kaito's legacy for the generations to come.
“No part of the contents of this book is fabricated or overstated: it is but a serious presentation by the first-hand living witness and documental evidences based on the life of a leader who gave up everything of himself for the cause of Naga freedom struggle,” he maintained.
In closing, Dr Kuhoi quoted General Kaito’s words on his dying bed: “I love Nagas, I sacrificed my life for the Nagas, but someone wanted to take my life away and I am dying. My heart bleeds for the Nagas as I see more days of struggle in achieving the goal. Should I die, there will be splits divisions and more killings amongst us,” and stated that the selfless sacrifice and the crucial role played by him is certainly a major and great contribution towards the Naga Freedom Movement. “It is sure enough that he is an inspiration and shall be remembered as a brave legend to Nagas in general and Sumis in particular,” he added.
Earlier in the programme which was chaired by Dr Wapangsenla Zaka, the dedicatory prayer was offered by Rev Dr ZK Rochill, Senior Pastor at Sumi Baptist Akukuhou, Purana Bazar. A special number was also presented by ‘Azalimi Lejo,’ followed by acknowledgement from co-author Khekaho Zhimomi and benediction by Vikuto Zhimomi.
