Neichülieü Nikki Haralu
• Former Naga Ambassador Neichülieü Nikki Haralu passes away, she was 98
• Funeral service at 1:00pm at her residence in Burma Camp, Dimapur
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 2 (MExN): Neichülieü Nikki Haralu, the former Naga Ambassador passed away on September 2 in Dimapur. She was 98 years old.
The eldest of eight siblings Neichülieü was born on July 28, 1918 to the first Naga medical doctor Dr. Harielungbe Haralu of Poilwa village in Peren district and Rükhrieü of Kohima village under Kohima district.
From a young age Neichülieü displayed the same bold pioneering spirit of her father as she put together the first choir group in Kohima where she sang Soprano, as the third Naga to venture out to study in the United States, and as she became the first Naga Ambassador.
As a diplomat Neichülieü served in Belgium, Italy, USA, and Sri Lanka before her retirement as Ambassador of India to Panama in 1980. At her retirement, she had served for 26 years in the Ministry of External Affairs with additional charge of Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Panama is the first country in Central America where India established a resident Embassy in 1973. A historic event that took place during her tenure includes the handing over of the Panama Canal that changed the economy of the United States, Europe, and Asia.
After her retirement, she came back to Nagaland to serve as Chairman of Nagaland State Social Welfare Advisory Board (1987-1993) .
Neichülieü began her early schooling in Mission school at Kohima and went on to the Welsh Mission Girls’ High School, Shillong. Her academic qualifications included BA (Pol. Sc. & Eco.) - Calcutta University-1948; MA (Soc. Sc.) – Haverford USA – 1953; and Rockefeller Foundation Seminars on Diplomacy, School of Advanced International Studies, John Hopkins University, Washington DC – 1969. Click Here
Neichiilieii Nikki Haralu - A life of Testimony
Neichülieü’s family members say that she lived an extraordinary life. “She dreamt big and relentlessly pursued and lived out those dreams. She lived her life with so much passion and blazed a trail for those of us who follow. She was fearless and exuberant and joyful and beautiful. Her life was an absolute testament of God’s goodness and faithfulness,” they stated.
Her life is her legacy and “all her life, she trusted in God and believed in herself and she went on to live a rich and full life. And she lived it to the fullest.”
Nagaland CM condoles
Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang has expressed grief at the passing away of Neichülieü Haralu. In a condolence message, the Nagaland CM said: “Though she was older to me, she was a source of inspiration to me since childhood as we had heard so much of her achievements, despite the difficult times in which she lived. She was not only the first career Diplomat from the Zeliang community but also from among the Nagas as a whole. She endeared herself to her people as a true ambassador of the Nagas.”
Zeliang stated that “we have lost a precious family member who was indeed ahead of her times. She was able to prove to the people that Naga women are as capable as anyone.”
