‘Nagaland too can soar to heights like Japan one day’

Kohima, February 4 (MExN): Naga Club President Kuolachalie Seyie said that “I believe if we also allow the invaluable values of the right attitude of our forefathers to come alive in our hearts, Nagaland too can soar to heights like Japan one day.”

He said this during the recently concluded 60th Wrestling Meet 2024 of Western Angami Youth Organization (WAYO) at Jotsoma in Kohima district. 

He said that Japan, one of the richest and strongest nations of the world is known for its people’s unwavering patriotism, commitment and integrity. People were equipped with the capacity to give their best in their professions by strictly preserving the values and traditions of their forefathers, the perfect blend of cherishing the old values while also embracing modern changes, he added. 

“On my recent visit to Tokyo, I came across several Japanese Rickshaw pullers with whom I occasionally chatted. I remember the words of one of them: “If I am good, Japan is good.” Then I learnt that almost all Japanese carry their national responsibility on their shoulders by their own choice. One of the Rickshaw pullers said that they are proud for their profession; their earnings are good, they would be promoted further and have a great future as was the case even in the past. One may seem to truly never know the essence of dignity of labour until one visit Japan,” Seyie said.

“Our positive mind-set is our free choice within our own free heart. Such fundamental changes take time to learn but the pace should not be too slow. Therefore, we should start to learn with discipline today, for the sake of our tomorrow,” he said.

Seyie said that Naga forefathers were “fully clothed with patriotism, utmost courage, commitment, hospitality and integrity. Above all, they were conscious of the unchallengeable political rights of the Nagas. They gave their best and their all to promote Naga brotherhood, nationhood, and unity.”

“Truthfully acknowledging that we are moving fast into the modern world while our values and unity are being assailed by new threats of rampant corruption, ignorance, poverty and moral challenges, we now realize it is our bounden duty to preserve the invaluable values of our forefathers, to let their values come alive in all of us and prepare our people to rightly respond to these threats and challenges with clarity of thought, integrity and steadfast moral courage,” he said.

He stressed on the need to think and act in time for the long-term welfare of Nagas. “The present generation shall adhere firmly to the belief that no differences should be allowed to weaken and divide the Nagas with hatred, tribalism, corruptions, immoralities, laziness, extortions, factionalism,” he remarked.

“We Nagas who face greater challenges today should acquire the wisdom and values of our forefathers to let our differences, whenever they occur, make us stronger by showing the capacity to rise above narrower self-seeking interests to achieve what is right and best for all,” Seyie added.