Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 17
On the second and last day of the Nagaland leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on January 17, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that he "really" had a special time and promised to return for a longer stay in the future.
Addressing a public rally in Mokokchung, he observed that not only Nagas but also people from the rest of India, including Uttar Pradesh, reside in the State.
“And I am proud to say that the Naga people treat everybody with respect and affection,” he maintained, attributing the tradition and emphasis on equality.
“These are assets for the Indian Nation. The rest of India should come and see the way people are treated in Nagaland,” he added. Another trait that impressed the Congress Member of Parliament was what he termed as Naga people standing in a line.
“There's no pushing and pulling. Look, there are thousands of people here. No pushing. No pulling; everybody is giving space to everybody else,” he said. According to him, this is a sign of respect for each other and one’s space and ideas.
“This is the type of India that we are trying to build,” he added, thanking the Naga people and their forefathers for showing the way forward. “I will never forget in my entire life the love and affection that you have shown me,” he added.
To his end, Gandhi made a commitment that after the yatra is over, he would come and spend a few days in Nagaland, talking to the people and youngsters in detail and understanding their aspirations. “You are straightforward, decent, honest people. I am like you,” he added.
The Congress leader also urged the youngsters, especially the females, to enter politics and give Nagaland a new vision for the future.
The otherwise positive outing on the second day was ‘dampened’ a little for native Ao language speakers as an apparently impromptu request from Gandhi resulted resulting in some aspects of his speech getting 'lost in translation' as the translator navigated unfamiliar territory.
