D.Bon Gangmei
The Nagas as an indigenous people have been so divided by arbitrary political state boundaries which have mentally shaped and emotionally make the people to think and accept the fact as a matter of social phenomenon and getting use to it.
We as Nagas are experiencing a real reckoning time. A time to decide and act right, to live right. In the past when we were not aware of our identity, position and rights, we were put into a serious condition that has made us to face the present complications. However, the greater the problems we face the stronger and greater will be the battle and the victory.
As a concerned Naga citizen, I would like to appeal and call upon the Naga people particularly living in parts of Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul, and Chandel under Manipur state, to wake up at the call for solidarity and coming together of the Nagas as a people and Nation. No time will be good time in future, if we don’t act our part today. Today we the Nagas are given a right time to decide and determine our common future and then go together there. We have long been suppressed and subjected to unjust ruling and tremendous discrimination by the ruling class of the Manipur Govt. We were helplessly conditioned and fashioned to the unjust climate and now our helpless tolerance makes us to think right to be with the Govt. of Manipur
My earnest appeal and straight message for our people is “Change your MINDs”, look seriously ahead, and see our people’s vision. Let us not go for temporary gain but get for lasting freedom. The present system of governance and its nature of superimposition of ruling upon us will not change even if we send up our representatives to the house from the state and Central political parties. The system and legislations practiced in the state will keep them under condition. Whether good or bad, our Naga politic is our own, if bad make it good by your participation. If good get involve propagating even greater to the whole world. We are responsible for the making or unmaking of our own people and Nation. Let us stop our past way of looking at things or keep watching or wishing at others to do the right things we want it done. You are a precious Naga. Your support to Naga cause in whichever way or however small you think is so valuable and priceless. I think, We Nagas need to create our own political party to represent in whichever state, Nation or country. Regional people party symbolise indigenous unity, rights to self determination according to their own way of life, culture and tradition. We must create it and let it grow from every Village and land of the Nagas. It is our right. It is our role and duty not just for monetary gain or fame but to stands for our common people, land and nation. Nobody else will do that for us. Our decision we make today is crucial and great, because it will shape our future. It will make or mar our destiny. Whatever our today, tomorrow is our future. Our today will determine our tomorrow.
It seems to me that our people living in Manipur need to wake up, move forward, display courage and be confident. You are important. Without You Naga Nation cannot stand and grow strong. You have a legacy of courage and sacrifices handed down to you by your bygone leader Jadonang. He took the right decision amidst the storm of odds and oppositions and apparent comfort to be under the British. He defended our right, fought the British for our people. He died un-surrendered for ours’ today that we may live in freedom. We too can and must take right decision not for our temporary gain but lasting satisfaction and joyful gain. It is our time and turn to fight relentlessly against all form of suppressions, injustices or subjugations.
Let us leave aside our narrow mindedness, some Manipur mindedness, Manipur political oriented mind or whatever that holds us back from taking the right decision for and in the interest of the Nagas. Let us actively participate in making the Naga great. National pride is reflected in every action, decision and behaviour of a citizen whether in Assam, Nagaland or Manipur. Loving your people doesn’t mean hating others community or neighbouring people. It means we are bounded by social responsibility and moral obligation to build our own house and safeguard it so that others will not give undue interference in our (land). A divided house cannot stand. We must risk for the right cause and stand for it even when others fall. It is absolutely important to know our right and live on it. It is better to have risked and lost than to have never tried. The word of Patrick Henry sounds practical here, “if we wish to be free, we must fight. Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Is life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death” My people, it is not what we wish that will happen, it is what we give that will make us happen of what we wish for. In every decision that we take let us consider this one thing. Principle. Let us be moved by convictions not by preferences or privileges. Preferences are negotiable but convictions are not. When under pressure convictions grow stronger and preferences weaken. People who value or put priority to privileges and ignore or forget their principle when tempted, end up losing both his privileges and Principle. When we sacrifice our own petty interests for the sake of larger interest of the Nagas, we can truly build our nation and truly we can achieve what we aspire to.
