Officials and others during the inaugural day of the India's International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) at G Rio School, Kohima on May 23. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | May 23
Stating that “democracy is not just a political framework but a living, breathing entity that evolves with the collective will and consciousness of its people,” Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu remarked that for Nagas, this mode of governance is not new.
Addressing the Kohima Conference of the India's International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) at G Rio School on May 23, she said that many tribes have practiced some version of it since the time of our ancestors.
She spoke on “the role of literature and culture in shaping the future of democracy”, wherein she also underscored that “this is evident in historical accounts passed on through our oral tradition as well in present day Naga traditional cultures that hold the values of freedom, equality, participation and justice as supreme.”
Ultimately, she underlined that democracy is a dynamic process, and while literature and culture play an indispensable role in shaping its future, she emphasized if Nagaland “can contribute something unique from our context and culture to the improvement of Democracy.”
Towards this end, she impressed upon that this is possible “if we begin to include our literatures, written and oral, if we begin to embed ourselves in our cultures and deepen our roots in indigenous knowledge and ways of life.”
She further remarked that “resilience and hope are pivotal in democratic societies, particularly in regions that have experienced conflict”, and underscored that, “it is our responsibility to spend the time and do the work to understand our pasts, our traditional past where our ancestors established democratic traditions, our modern past.”
In order to take an active role in shaping democracy for the present generation and those after them, she underlined that, “it is an exercise in coming to terms with the truths of our history and reaching a place of forgiveness, healing and peace.” “By listening, reading, documenting and celebrating the traditions and stories of the Naga people, the uniqueness of our history, we can ensure that our cultural narratives continue to inform and enrich democratic discourse”, she further emphasized.
Speeches were also delivered by Deepaknarayan, Charge'D Affairs, IIMUN and Dr Pawan Diwedi. Other highlights of the opening ceremony included performance by Ethnic Future and students of G. Rio School. The event was also marked by lamp lighting while Aishwarya Manojkumar, Senior Secretariat Member - Conferences Department, IIMUN was the host for the event.
