“One lives in the hope of becoming a memory” (Antonio Porchia) and “Immortality is to live your life doing good things and leaving your mark behind” (Brandon Lee).When we retrospect who among the Nagas has truly lived upto these ideals, one man instantly comes to mind who is none other than the champion of the poor, the needy and the downtrodden Mr Vamuzo Phesa-o.
Fourteen years has elapsed since his death but I still hold him dear in parts of me with profound gratitude for his selfless services to the Nagas and particularly for his masterpiece schemes for the economic upliftment of the rural populace. Time passes at unprecedented pace and people forgets history and pioneers who devoted their entire life to making a reality of what we are enjoying and feeding upon today. He is death and gone but i. Even though a no relation of him, as senior citizen, through this brief write-up, would like to highlight immense contributions Mr Vamuzo made for the welfare of the Nagas and country, strongly believing to inspire present leaders and evoking social, political and economic consciousness of the younger generations.
Beginning as a Naga Army in the Naga National Movement to becoming the chief minister of Nagaland Mr.Vamuzo was though and though a patriot, a politician with conviction, a genius innovator, a reformer true in purpose. Often times, because of his love for Naga Nation and for his strong assertion for sovereignty and preservation of Naga identity, he was labelled as a rebel, a secessionist by the Indian union, but never did not participate in the election, in response to the clarion call by the Nagas under the slogan “SOLUTION NOT ELECTION”.
As the champion of the under-privileged, he stands the figure of a god-father.it is his nationality approved and adopted VDB and CADS that the rural folks are benefitting today. It is because of these schemes that they are able to buy salt, get free C.G.I. sheets for roofing, a road to ply, financial aid to the other citizens, and consummate developmental boards like Village Councils and DPDB.....et al. Whenever I do any VDB or compact work the figure of Vamuzo comes to life and I pray to god for another Vamuzo who can envisage such innovative schemes for the upliftment of the starved and neglected rural folks.
The god-father of the rustics had no less love and concern for urbanities .if I can remember anyone, it is Vamuzo, who was pivotal in giving shape to the present state of urban areas in Nagaland, the pride of Nagaland, the new secretariat Complex, Dimapur fly-over bridge, Dimapur super market complex, Kohima town playground pavilion, to name a few, are the masterpiece of Vamuzo’s initiatives. Mr.Vamuzo, if I must say on, not only devoted his life to the cause of uplifting the economic wellbeing of the Naga,but also he was a great reformer who sought to foster peace, uproot corruption, and promote societal interest. It was he who moved the resolution for Nagaland total prohibition of liquor in the assembly to give meaning to Naga’s pledge “NAGALAND FOR CHRIST”. And to eradicate all evil practices which all stems from liquor consumption.
Sadly the days of Vamuzo is over but not without leaving behind thousands footprints to guide us. Indeed Mr Vamuzo’s contribution is immense; it would take years and hundreds of pages if one were to write on him. So with this brief write-up I take leave as for now. However, I want to make it clear that I do not intend to criticize or belittle anyone’s leadership or contribution. Leaders has been many and there are many and each has done one’s own part. But undoubtedly Vamuzo was the most dynamic, committed leader Nagaland has ever had. I therefore wish to urge the Naga leaders to be even more people-oriented leader than Vamuzo himself and forge the Naga’s aspiration on a new anvil. I sincerely entreat all the concern nags to join in prayers that god may bless and guide our present and future leaders to always walk in the footprints of Vamuzo and bring new dawn upon Nagaland.
GOD BLESS NAGALAND
N.Nyiempa Konyak
Tizit Village.
