National Plebiscite Day Message By Senka Yaden,
President Naga National Council (NNC) On May 16, 2009.
Dear Naga People:
It is a joy to greet you KUKNALIM in celebration of this historic national plebiscite day. Kuknalim was the buzz word used by Naga student volunteers during the plebiscite in the early months of 1951.
Following the declaration of Naga independence on August 14, 1947, Naga National Council (NNC) launched a nationwide voluntary referendum to determine the desires and the political future of the Naga people. The result of the plebiscite was announced on May 16, 1951 with an overwhelming majority reaffirming independence and sovereignty and rejected the invitation to join India union.
National workers and student volunteers walked to every village and collected plebiscite papers with finger impressions for record and reproduction of every Naga age 15 and above irrespective of gender. All Nagas enthusiastically participated in the foundational event and gave a resounding 99.9 % verdict in favor of independence and rejection of joining India.
Through this plebiscite, Naga people entrusted NNC with the democratic Naga mandate. Accordingly, the Nagas bestowed on the NNC the accolade of the embodiment of the Naga people and the apex Naga body. The proclamation of the united commitment of May 16, 1951 is viewed as one of the most important legal document in the history of Naga democracy and hold as the foundation principle of Naga national rights.
Today we are honoring the wishes of our ancestors and the legacy of independence and sovereignty of our land. Let us rejoice and celebrate this day the ancestral blessings of freedom and liberty by honoring our history.
As we celebrate this 58th anniversary of Naga plebiscite day the words and the anthem written by James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson is a symbolic hymn appropriate for the occasion.
LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING
Lift every voice and sing,
till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the
dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
bitter the chastening rod,
felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
yet with a steady beat,
have not our weary feet
come to the place
for which our fathers died?
We have come over a way that with tears have been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
out from the gloomy past,
till now we stand at last
where the white gleam
of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
thou who hast by thy might led us into the light,
keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee;
lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee,
shadowed beneath thy hand,
may we forever stand,
true to our God,
true to our native land.
This is the day we celebrate to honor those who have honored us with a vision of a better and peaceful future by engaging in a movement through the power of the people, united, one people, one Nation. Today, let me also say something about “Science And Technology” as an encouragement to our young Naga people for the sake of our Nation-
Science and Technology are essential to our nation’s economic prosperity and the quality of life for our citizens today and in the next century. Our young people must be equipped to make informed decisions in this age of rapidly developing knowledge, changing technology, and sophisticated information and communication systems. Students must have a solid education in science, mathematics and technology so that they are prepared for workforce to survive and contribute in improving the quality of life. Science and society will co-evolve and the social evolution will be dependent more and more upon technological advancements. The products of science and technology have become prominent elements of the world economy and of everyday life. Industrial science is associated with manufacturing, transportation, and communication. Revolutions in science are the driving force in maintaining world politics, power, leadership, and wealth-generating commercial products and services.
• Never before has science and technology pervaded everyday life to the extend we now experience.
• Never before has society looked so expectantly to science and technology to provide answers to questions which relate not only to the quality but also to the very existence of life.
• And never before has there been such a challenge or such an opportunity for scientists and technological leaders to serve mankind.
Education is the key to developing the intellectual capacity of young people- the next generation of innovators, consumers, citizens and leaders. It is the responsibility of the educational systems to continuously and diligently nurture future generations in order to provide them the opportunity to contribute and prosper in the technology-based world of tomorrow. The advancement of our society will depend upon a literate generation in science education and our goal should be to educate and inspire students to reach their maximum potential, especially in technology based fields such as natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
Demographic data seems to indicate that Naga students in schools, colleges, and universities do not pursue a career in the sciences. It is unfortunate that very few of our students seek advanced degrees in the sciences. Our concern has been that most of our students who go abroad for further studies are in areas other than science and technology oriented disciplines.
More and more jobs demand advanced skills, requiring that people be able to learn, reason, think creatively, make decisions, and solve problems. An understanding of science and the processes of science contribute in an essential way to these skills. Advanced countries invest heavily to create scientifically and technically literate workforce. It is important that science education in learning institutions should present and direct guidelines for standards in what students need to know, understand, and be able to do at all level of instructions. Standards should point toward a future that is challenging but attainable without requiring major changes in the existing educational systems. Broad principles should include issues regarding standards on: curriculum, professional development for science teachers, and assessment of science education, subject content, and programs to inspire and motivate young minds.
The following unifying concepts and processes in science education curriculum may be suggested for consideration in schools and colleges: (1) science as inquiry (2) physical science (3) life science (4) earth and space science (5) science in personal and social perspectives (6) history and nature of science. For the future, let us all help our children learn science by teaching values of science and technology, educate all students to be scientifically literate, and above all, educate the public to provide barrier-free education with access to opportunities in science and technology.
Every person has thought at least once in his or her life, that it would be nice if there were no war, no disease, no crime, and no poverty and/or for some other improvements in the Human condition. Let us then, work for continuing survival and hope for a happy, safe and a good life for us and our loved ones for the future generation.
Scientists as practitioners, teach important values. These include honesty, an eagerness for new ideas, the sharing of knowledge for public benefit, and a respect for evidence that require verification by others. These “behaviour of science” make science a catalyst for democracy. Science and democracy promote similar freedoms. Science’s requirement of proof resembles democracy’s system of justice. There are no scientific lies since science is basically the search for truths known, unknown, discovered, undiscovered. USA President, Thomas Jefferson said that the purpose of science is freedom. Since everyone desires a good life, we should all make the same a common goal to find technology and methods that satisfy the physical and mental state of human existence. With the right nurturing, everyone who desires to seek the truth to unite the nation for good and noble actions can fulfill this message of Hope. A scientifically literate population is vital to the democratic process, a healthy economy and quality of life.
I suggest the following by way of encouragement to our young Nagas:
1. Learn algebra, geometry, trigonometry and/or calculus in schools and colleges so that you will have knowledge in mathematics, science, and technology. 2. Acquire experiences that will enhance problem-solving and analytical skills. 3. Pursue education in careers where there is a need for gainful employment. 4. Seek real life experiences in mathematics, science, and technology through contacts, visits, speakers and mentors. 5. Take advantage of opportunities to constantly learn and be aware of the ongoing changes in science and technology and changes in the world around you. 6. Get an education and major in a field where you will always be useful with a purpose to serve your God and your Country.
Let us spend more time on the future and proclaim our love for our country with pride letting no one deny our rights. For what is morally wrong can never be politically right.
Let us fight the right fight and not become victims of the enemies of culture such as: Decay of moral truth, Depreciation of who we are, Denial of heritage, Decline of family, Dishonor historic principles and Deception of affluence.
Let us seek solutions to strengthen the bond of nationhood, religion and country consistent with the historic tradition of our culture.
Let us strive to make this land a better place to live, it is our home- we are proud of it and we love it.
In honor of this auspicious day, let us protect, preserve and provide to maintain a balance of personal liberty with pride and celebrate the legacy of love and freedom left to us.
Dream never dies and history can not be changed, but the best predictor (genetics) of the future is the past.
Let us honor the past, aspire for that one dream, one future for all Nagas united in the spirit of The Naga National Plebiscite Day--May 16, 1951.
K U K N A L I M
Senka Yaden
Tyler, Texas USA
