My dear Countrymen,
As we commemorate our history on this 14th of August 2011, we do so in celebration of our 65 years of Naga Independence Day. I on behalf of the Federal Government of Nagaland bring you greetings! God Almighty has sustained us this far by His grace and mercy in our movement to find our rightful place to live as an independent people and nation. The Nagas have come a long way from where we have started. Our journey has been long and tedious one. Nevertheless, in spite of our struggles which were in fact, many, we have neither been bogged down to submission nor to defeat. What we have claimed to be right for so long has never changed and it will never change.
On this auspicious day and historic occasion, Nagas must be reminded that we do not ask for that which is new and that which do not belong to us from any government of the world be it our neighboring country or a far off place. But that we claim our rights and the legitimacy of declaring Naga as an independent Nation like any other nations of the world on 14th of August, 1947. The attestation of this historic declaration was made in the historic Voluntary National Plebiscite on 16th of May, 1951. Human wisdom and arguments can never alter these facts. What followed thereafter was the formation of a federation of the then divided Nagaland at the first historic Tatar Hoho, which was convened by the Naga National Council on 22nd of March 1956. This Hoho unanimously ratified the Articles enshrined there in the constitution, enabling the Nagas thereafter to act with legal authority. Accordingly, NNC representing the then Naga Hills District and the Hongkong Government, representing Free Nagas, freely and willingly merged into a single Federal Republic, as a result the Federal Government of Nagaland was set up. Thus, our political foundation rests on the will and mandate of the people based on the Naga system of democracy.
We must move forward and not be held back by the politics of power, charted by fear and apprehension of what may become of the Nagas and begin to speak the language of our oppressors who sound concern over our welfare just to imprison us and numb our aspiration as if time will heal the wounds of the past. We must resist such move for to submit to those pep talks is to continue to prolong our suffering. Naga nationalism cannot be beat around by anything less than what belongs to us. Ours is not a movement of secessionism but a movement of political and historical rights. We cannot be led to confusion either, as if prolonging our national cry for the recognition of our sovereignty will murder and silence our dreams and vision. We cannot betray the sacrifice made by those who had given their lives for what they believe to be true and honorable. Let it be known this day to one and all, that there is no honorable settlement other than the settlement of granting the wish of our people to be an independent nation. There is no package other than which belong to us originally from the very beginning. What belongs to us belongs to us full stop.
Today, selfishness and lack of political will of any leader cannot take our Naga nation hostage to reach our destiny. Therefore, at this crucial juncture, may I remind the nation that we cannot afford to made another mistake by bowing down to any offer that is less than what our history calls for! Division and selfishness cannot snatch away the political vision for which Naga nationalism had stood for this long. We must rise above all elements that are at work against us both within and without. If we surrender our heritage of freedom handed to us by the Nagas of yesterday, how can we ask of our children of today and the generation tomorrow to cherish and stand for their liberty? Freedom and liberty cannot be compromised! It is never a negotiable property because it constitutes the very being of our existence as people and nation granted by God. Our freedom and rights to be a free people is deeply enshrined in us from the beginning when God blessed us as a nation distinct from any other. Therefore, we must resist any temptation to demean this freedom that we have for so long cherished and fought for. The piecemeal approach and the divide and destroy policy of the Indian government need to be resisted at all times. We shall not be tricked into making deals now or later by the offer of this and that. Our Independence and Sovereignty as a Nation is not contained in a package but it is a wholesome freedom which no one can hand it down to us but it can only be recognized and honored by our suppressors. We know only for our freedom and rights to be a nation and that is all we ask for. Our political aspiration cannot be threatened with muscle power and no modern theories of political knowledge can prove us wrong. Our intellectual and wisdom to be what we want cannot be ignored neither be bargained. The Nagas cannot be used as a shield to protect the interest of other nations or nation. We existed independently and we will be compelled to be restless till our souls are at peace within us. If we bow down to this threat and offer of anything less than our rights, we will never be able to look straight into the eyes of those orphaned children and widows whose fathers and husbands care less about themselves and gave their lives for the cause of our nation.
Today, we must also address the twin power that our Naga nationalism is at war with. We have on the one hand, India the world largest democratic nation who cannot live up to their commitment made to the Nagas. On the other hand, we have the disease of division and factionalism among us seeking to destroy the Naga patriotism and the spirit of nationalism. Our dreams and vision are shattered not only by others but also by ourselves. This is why the former has taken advantage of the situation seeking to destroy us over and over again.
It is now time for us to wake up and take our stand courageously in our journey to the final destination. And in order to do so, we must come together to work out our difference and put an end to self righteousness and selfish motif that seek to destroy the very fabric of our unity and existence as one people and one nation. We must choose to take the path of forgiveness and embrace each other as brothers and sisters. The recent paper wars have not served anything good in our journey of self determination and assertion. It has rather destroyed us and fractured us into minors threatening to extinguish the flaming fire of freedom movement to a mere personal agenda and selfish gain. This has to stop once and for all not for anything else but for the love of our nation and her people.
My Government will continue to support the work of FORUM FOR NAGA RECONCILIATION (FNR). The initiative taken by them is commendable and the fruit of their labor is enjoyed by the Nagas today. We stand by the COVENANT OF RECONCILIATION (COR) signed by the Chairman SS Khaplang, Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and Kedahge Brig. (Retd) S Singnya, based on the historical and political rights of the Nagas. We shall not retreat from our commitment.
Based on the spirit of forgiveness and with the view to exhilarate the work of the reconciliation and peace work among the Naga National Political Groups, my Government NNC/FGN and the GPRN/NSCN entered into an unconditional reconciliation and unity at Monyakshu on 15th July 2010. We remain open to such move so that Naga cause can be hastened. We believe that unity among the Nagas is pre-requisite towards finding a permanent solution to the Indo-Burma Naga political issue. We must once again learn to speak the same political language and command respect as one nation, one people and with one political agenda.
As we celebrate our Independence and look forward to the road ahead of us we must also retrospect the sacrifice and achievement of the past. Much has been sacrificed but much is still demanded from us. We are what we are today for the many who selflessly gave their lives for our cause. We honor and celebrate their contributions and we will always cherish their sacrifice. I must also congratulate everyone in service to the nation for standing steadfast to our national cause. My special salute goes to the recipients of the awards and commendations for their dedication and sacrifice made for our national cause. You are the bearers of the torch and you must hand it down with courage until our dreams and vision is realized and our people live at ease and in harmony.
We must march forward with courage until we find our rightful place in the history of the world.
God Bless you all and KUKNALIM.
As we commemorate our history on this 14th of August 2011, we do so in celebration of our 65 years of Naga Independence Day. I on behalf of the Federal Government of Nagaland bring you greetings! God Almighty has sustained us this far by His grace and mercy in our movement to find our rightful place to live as an independent people and nation. The Nagas have come a long way from where we have started. Our journey has been long and tedious one. Nevertheless, in spite of our struggles which were in fact, many, we have neither been bogged down to submission nor to defeat. What we have claimed to be right for so long has never changed and it will never change.
On this auspicious day and historic occasion, Nagas must be reminded that we do not ask for that which is new and that which do not belong to us from any government of the world be it our neighboring country or a far off place. But that we claim our rights and the legitimacy of declaring Naga as an independent Nation like any other nations of the world on 14th of August, 1947. The attestation of this historic declaration was made in the historic Voluntary National Plebiscite on 16th of May, 1951. Human wisdom and arguments can never alter these facts. What followed thereafter was the formation of a federation of the then divided Nagaland at the first historic Tatar Hoho, which was convened by the Naga National Council on 22nd of March 1956. This Hoho unanimously ratified the Articles enshrined there in the constitution, enabling the Nagas thereafter to act with legal authority. Accordingly, NNC representing the then Naga Hills District and the Hongkong Government, representing Free Nagas, freely and willingly merged into a single Federal Republic, as a result the Federal Government of Nagaland was set up. Thus, our political foundation rests on the will and mandate of the people based on the Naga system of democracy.
We must move forward and not be held back by the politics of power, charted by fear and apprehension of what may become of the Nagas and begin to speak the language of our oppressors who sound concern over our welfare just to imprison us and numb our aspiration as if time will heal the wounds of the past. We must resist such move for to submit to those pep talks is to continue to prolong our suffering. Naga nationalism cannot be beat around by anything less than what belongs to us. Ours is not a movement of secessionism but a movement of political and historical rights. We cannot be led to confusion either, as if prolonging our national cry for the recognition of our sovereignty will murder and silence our dreams and vision. We cannot betray the sacrifice made by those who had given their lives for what they believe to be true and honorable. Let it be known this day to one and all, that there is no honorable settlement other than the settlement of granting the wish of our people to be an independent nation. There is no package other than which belong to us originally from the very beginning. What belongs to us belongs to us full stop.
Today, selfishness and lack of political will of any leader cannot take our Naga nation hostage to reach our destiny. Therefore, at this crucial juncture, may I remind the nation that we cannot afford to made another mistake by bowing down to any offer that is less than what our history calls for! Division and selfishness cannot snatch away the political vision for which Naga nationalism had stood for this long. We must rise above all elements that are at work against us both within and without. If we surrender our heritage of freedom handed to us by the Nagas of yesterday, how can we ask of our children of today and the generation tomorrow to cherish and stand for their liberty? Freedom and liberty cannot be compromised! It is never a negotiable property because it constitutes the very being of our existence as people and nation granted by God. Our freedom and rights to be a free people is deeply enshrined in us from the beginning when God blessed us as a nation distinct from any other. Therefore, we must resist any temptation to demean this freedom that we have for so long cherished and fought for. The piecemeal approach and the divide and destroy policy of the Indian government need to be resisted at all times. We shall not be tricked into making deals now or later by the offer of this and that. Our Independence and Sovereignty as a Nation is not contained in a package but it is a wholesome freedom which no one can hand it down to us but it can only be recognized and honored by our suppressors. We know only for our freedom and rights to be a nation and that is all we ask for. Our political aspiration cannot be threatened with muscle power and no modern theories of political knowledge can prove us wrong. Our intellectual and wisdom to be what we want cannot be ignored neither be bargained. The Nagas cannot be used as a shield to protect the interest of other nations or nation. We existed independently and we will be compelled to be restless till our souls are at peace within us. If we bow down to this threat and offer of anything less than our rights, we will never be able to look straight into the eyes of those orphaned children and widows whose fathers and husbands care less about themselves and gave their lives for the cause of our nation.
Today, we must also address the twin power that our Naga nationalism is at war with. We have on the one hand, India the world largest democratic nation who cannot live up to their commitment made to the Nagas. On the other hand, we have the disease of division and factionalism among us seeking to destroy the Naga patriotism and the spirit of nationalism. Our dreams and vision are shattered not only by others but also by ourselves. This is why the former has taken advantage of the situation seeking to destroy us over and over again.
It is now time for us to wake up and take our stand courageously in our journey to the final destination. And in order to do so, we must come together to work out our difference and put an end to self righteousness and selfish motif that seek to destroy the very fabric of our unity and existence as one people and one nation. We must choose to take the path of forgiveness and embrace each other as brothers and sisters. The recent paper wars have not served anything good in our journey of self determination and assertion. It has rather destroyed us and fractured us into minors threatening to extinguish the flaming fire of freedom movement to a mere personal agenda and selfish gain. This has to stop once and for all not for anything else but for the love of our nation and her people.
My Government will continue to support the work of FORUM FOR NAGA RECONCILIATION (FNR). The initiative taken by them is commendable and the fruit of their labor is enjoyed by the Nagas today. We stand by the COVENANT OF RECONCILIATION (COR) signed by the Chairman SS Khaplang, Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and Kedahge Brig. (Retd) S Singnya, based on the historical and political rights of the Nagas. We shall not retreat from our commitment.
Based on the spirit of forgiveness and with the view to exhilarate the work of the reconciliation and peace work among the Naga National Political Groups, my Government NNC/FGN and the GPRN/NSCN entered into an unconditional reconciliation and unity at Monyakshu on 15th July 2010. We remain open to such move so that Naga cause can be hastened. We believe that unity among the Nagas is pre-requisite towards finding a permanent solution to the Indo-Burma Naga political issue. We must once again learn to speak the same political language and command respect as one nation, one people and with one political agenda.
As we celebrate our Independence and look forward to the road ahead of us we must also retrospect the sacrifice and achievement of the past. Much has been sacrificed but much is still demanded from us. We are what we are today for the many who selflessly gave their lives for our cause. We honor and celebrate their contributions and we will always cherish their sacrifice. I must also congratulate everyone in service to the nation for standing steadfast to our national cause. My special salute goes to the recipients of the awards and commendations for their dedication and sacrifice made for our national cause. You are the bearers of the torch and you must hand it down with courage until our dreams and vision is realized and our people live at ease and in harmony.
We must march forward with courage until we find our rightful place in the history of the world.
God Bless you all and KUKNALIM.
