Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 7
The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) is taking forward the concept ‘Nagas without borders’ by announcing Year 2018 as ‘Walking the Naga Day.’
“This year 2018 is ‘Walking the Naga Day’. It is a new vocabulary – a socio-cultural speech of the people. As part of this, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation is aiming at empowering young people to work together to positively change their societies and beyond. This is to create a culture of positive change”, said FNR convenor, Rev Dr Wati Aier.
Earlier on January 10 this year, people living in Naga areas congregated at Khouchiezie (Kohima Local Ground) and celebrated the ‘Naga Day’ under the theme ‘Nagas without borders.’
Sharing FNR’s views on ‘Nagas without borders’ with students from 22 colleges on the concluding day of the ‘Pow Wow; Nagaland collegiate Festival’ here at Tetso College, on Wednesday, the FNR convenor said, “Our identity is not limited by borders, that is not our making.”
He said the need to belong is a fundamental human motivation and that the desire for belongingness is universal and transcends all cultures. The consequence of not belonging is isolation and fragmentation, he added.
The FNR convenor also reminded that ‘Reconciliation’ is much more than simply the absence of violence. Aier said Reconciliation is a process, and includes people to people, community to community, from the students to the society – all aimed at transformation and wholeness of the self, community, society and neighbours.
“Human beings discover each other and we believe that as you discover this secret you will not let go of what you have discovered. This will lead to reshaping of our society- a rebirth, a renaissance is not an impossibility”, he said.
Aier also informed that as part of the ‘Walking the Naga Day’, FNR would be organizing a gathering of college students from across Naga areas, to initiate the ripple effects of the mission Naga without borders.
He said through active participation of the youth, efforts would be made to work out concrete steps towards positive change through writings, indigenous and contemporary art and music centering on ‘Walking the Naga Day.’
“We believe in you (youth) and your potentials, sometimes, left untapped. Let us give ourselves the chance to actualize this dream. Above all, we take God as the basis of our foundation and I believe He will bring this dream to pass,” Aier said.
Other FNR members also interacted with the students.
