Call to Oneness: Yearlong celebration of NSF 75th year culminates

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 29

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio graced the culmination programme of the yearlong celebration of the 75th year of Naga Students’ Federation (1947-2022) at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima under the theme ‘Call to Oneness’ on October 29.

Unveiling the monolith, Rio said that message carried in the monolith “speaks everything for all of us,” which scripted ‘This monolith marks our struggle, sacrifice and aspiration for unity and freedom.’

“I hope that the NSF will continue to remain strong, and carry on their legacy of serving and unifying the Naga people even in the years to come,” the CM said.

NSF launched its yearlong celebration of 75 years in June 2022 which was graced by Nagaland Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Neiba Kronu.
 
‘NSF has to walk the talk in our new geopolitical reality’
The guest of honour, Lowangcha Wanglat, former minister of Arunachal Pradesh stressed on the need to have vision stating, “You cannot blow an uncertain trumpet. Now is the time that NSF has to walk the talk in our new geopolitical reality.”

“I believe a Naga will always be a Naga. Some misconceived people advocate that there are no Nagas in Arunachal Pradesh in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts,” he said adding that he had published a book about the Nagas of Arunachal “The Headhunting Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh” to dispel this misconception. The book has conclusive assertions by various historians, academicians, anthropologists, ethnologists and the Asom Buranji of the fact that there are ethnic Nagas in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts, he said.

Wanglat believed that the relationship between Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagas of other Naga ancestral land can be one of the defining moments in Naga history.

“We may have different histories and speak in different dialects, but when we look at each other, we see a reflection of ourselves,” he said adding, “We only need to appreciate those who are different from us. We are strongest when we see the inherent dignity in every human being.”

“To unite every Naga family, we need to ensure our work must be not to just have a few do well, but to have everybody have a chance, everybody who is willing to work for it have the ability to dream big and then reach those dreams,” he said.

He also said that our societies are strongest when we uphold the equality of all our people –and that includes our women. Women and girls must have all the opportunities they deserve and must be treated equally, he said, adding that girls and women deserve equality in the life of the Naga community. And when young women are educated, then their children are going to be well-educated and have more opportunities, he said.

Remain as ‘one people, one Naga’ 
NSF President, Kegwayhun Tep said that the presence of brethrens from across all corners of the Naga homeland in today’s celebration “is in itself a symbolic expression of our most innate desire to always hold the emerging Naga family together as one Naga at all times to come.”

He noted that ‘with the inception of Naga Student Federation on 29th October 1947 under the chairmanship of Lt Z Ahu Zinyu, NSF’s journey has been one filled with numerous challenges, disagreements and difficult decisions along the way.’

Giving a call to foster unity for all Naga communities, cutting across shadow lines and all artificial boundaries, Tep said, “We are living in an unsettled nation with divisions which will never be reconciled unless we take heed and reciprocate positively to remain as one people, as one Naga.”

To bring about a dignified future for all Nagas, Tep said that it is important to see beyond divisions and prejudices, apart from one’s egoistic mindset, tribal interest and vested ambition. “We must forge ahead cohesively treating one another as equals and with respect regardless of tribes, groups and other social disparities, status and weaknesses. Above all we must overcome our greatest enemy – ourselves,” he affirmed. 

Tep also called to ‘forge a unified Naga front as CSOs, as NPGs, and as stakeholders in showing the way forward towards a definite Naga future, acknowledging our own wrongs and enabling others to do the same, by moving away from the bitterness of the past and by overlooking one's pride, ambitions and individual interests.’

“Our ‘Call to Oneness’ is a resounding plea from our tumultuous history for a resolute process to arrive at a concrete settlement for the Naga people,” he added.

One unified Naga Nation 
In his address, NSF former president and NSF 75th year celebration planning committee convenor, K Temjen Jamir said, “Our journey has been one of unified Naga Nation, independent and thriving amongst friendly neighbour Nations.” He asserted it was this students’ movement that “ignited the aspiration of Naga people and set in motion with a stronger determination to secure a rightful place for us where we can enjoy our political, social, cultural and such other rights and lives that enhance our quality of life without any external interference and without imposed alien system or governance.”

Responding to ‘Call to Oneness,’ he said, “It is heartening to note that the untiring efforts of our very own people in various organisations and walks of life are enabling our Naga National groups to understand one another and come closer for the sake of our beloved Naga Nation.”

He said that with the completion of 75 years of NSF, ‘Call for Oneness’ becomes louder and more urgent to unitedly respond to the situation at hand. 

“As we march on with renewed spirit of oneness towards attainment of our goal for Unified Nagalim and Glory of Nagas, let us reflect where we might have failed to steadfastly pursue the visions of our pioneers. Let us renew our commitment to work faithfully not only for glory of ourselves but more for the Glory of God, the God who has been our strength and refuge amidst this inhuman oppression for decades together,” Jamir said.
 
In solidarity
Extending solidarity and support to NSF, North East Students’ Organization (NESO) Advisor Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya said, “NESO will be always with NSF.” He reminded that NSF has to work on the line of good education and good employment along with working for the protection of the indigenous people of Nagas.

Also extending solidarity to NSF, Khasi Students’ Union, General Secretary, Donald V Thabah requested NSF to take care of the Khasi community in Nagaland, while assuring that KSU will too do the same to the Naga community in Shillong and Meghalaya. This will strengthen the bond of friendship and relationship, he said.

Earlier, NSF former president, Y Vikheho Swu unfurled NSF flag. The celebration witnessed songs and cultural performances from Chakhesang Baptist Church Kohima, Coloured Keys, Eastern Naga Students’ Federation, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, Myanmar Nagas, Poumai Naga Tsiidomai Me and poem recital by Sureno Melody Kikon.