Our attention has been drawn to Mr Atou Liezietsu’s letter published on the 7th February in your esteemed daily .We would like to issue the following clarification -
1. We request Mr.Atou Liezietsu, journalist and now businessman, to kindly read the Times of India dated 30 Jan and 31st Jan 2013, which carries news report stating five representatives of the Naga Mothers Association accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on stage at the Convention Hall, Hotel Ashok, New Delhi, on behalf of the NMA. They are President NMA and founder member, Mrs Abeiu Meru, Former president NMA & Advisor, Mrs. Khesheli Chishi, Rosemary Dzuvichu, Advisor, NMA, Mrs. Sarah Nuh, Vice president, NMA and Mrs. Lochumbeni Humtsoe, Secretary NMA. These present office bearers and Advisors were invited and sponsored by the Times of India Group to the Award ceremony at Delhi.
2. Besides these five leaders of the NMA ,five women leaders from tribe units also attended the Award ceremony at Delhi. It was an NMA decision to include five more delegates as the backbone of NMA activities all these years has been the tribe units. The delegation included President Angamimiapfu Mechu Krotho, Mrs.Salhoutuonuo Kruse, President Lotha Eloe Hoho Mrs. T.Tsanglao , Wokha President Rengma Mothers Association Mrs. Kelesa, Tseminyu, President Sumi Totimi Hoho Mrs. Kitoli, Zunheboto and Secretary, Tenyimi Women Union & Board member NMA Community Centre Ms. Vilanuo Yhome.
3. When the Times of India Asst. Editor visited the NMA at Kohima, besides the present office bearers she was taken to meet the NMA founder member Mrs. Sano Vamuzo as well as former president NMA Mrs. Neidonuo to hear their accounts of NMA during their tenure, which has been widely published in the Times of India all over the country, so their contribution was well taken into account.
4. As far as Mr Atou’s Liezietsu’s contention is concerned, we have not neglected any earlier leaders. One of the Founder members Mrs. Vamuzo expressed her inability to travel when preparations were made. As for the Padmashree and former leader cited by Mr. Atou, it is most unfortunate that she has refused to be an NMA Advisor and handed her resignation in 2010, and has abstained from all activities of the NMA since 2007.Therefore, it was a unanimous decision to include only active supporters of the NMA movement and struggle and not otherwise, for the Delhi trip.
5. Regarding credit to former NMA leaders, we request Mr.Atou Liezietsu to please check Times of India and media reports which covered the acceptance speech of the President NMA where she stated: “This award is a tribute to our earlier elders and leaders, some departed, who had a vision for societal change, peace and gender justice .And today we walk in their footsteps.”
We hope it is clearly understood that the award is recognition of the NMA as an organization and we have humbly accepted the same, on behalf of Naga mothers, with humility and happiness. The award is recognition of NMA’s movement for peace, against alcohol and drug abuse, human rights violations and gender justice over the years. The photos carried in the local media is the photo session with the President of India after the award ceremony was over, which allowed only two leaders from every organization to join the President on stage again, due to tight security reasons.
--- Naga Mothers Association
