Condolence message delivered at Chishilimi Village by Y. Vikheho Swu, nephew of Isak Chishi Swu and Minister P.W.D (Roads and Bridges) Nagaland
Chairpersons of the Funeral program, Rev. G. Kiyeto Sumi, and Khehoshe, Vice president Sumi Hoho. Respected, Ato Kilonser, GPRN Th. Muivah and his lady wife, respected Vice President GPRN Gen. (Rtd.) Khole, all the rank and file of the GPRN, Parliamentary Secretary Pukhai Sumi, my friend Achumbemo Kikon, my friends from the NPMHR, FNR, NSF, Government Officials, and each and every one whom I cannot mention individually, I want to thank you all for being with us at this time of sorrow.
Today, we bid farewell to a man who gave his all to the cause of the Naga Nation. We bid farewell to a man who has been the rock upon whom many held on to, in this long struggle for the Naga cause.
My uncle Isak Chishi Swu joined the Naga National Movement much before I was born. I first met him in 1971 when he had come to Ghathashi to attend the Diamond jubilee celebration of the Chishilimi Baptist church. I remember accompanying him on foot to attend the celebration at Chishilimi Village.
I also recall the first time I met him as an adult in Kathmandu. We shook hands and words did not come easy for both of us. Years of separation and lack of communication left a vacuum that could not be filled with easy flow of words. The first meeting, I recall was of uneasy silence and just some polite conversation.
As President of Naga Student’s Federation and subsequently, Convenor of Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Right (NPMHR) I started having more interactions with him as I came to know him more personally. I saw that he was indeed a remarkable man. Our meetings always started with a prayer and ended with a prayer. Whenever I met him he never failed to mention that without God nothing was possible and that we are all created for a purpose and we all need to seek that purpose with God’s constant guidance. I still continue to pass this on to my children.
Another thing about my uncle was that he was a very caring man. He was always concerned about other people. While going out, he would always be the one to open car doors for us. Even when entering a room he opened the door for us. While eating too, he always gave us the best portions. He was a perfect gentleman, humble and selfless. He did not think of accumulating worldly things. He was generous to the core. Always giving away what he had. I treasure the small but precious gifts that he has given me over the years, like his personal Bible, his shawl, a belt that he gave me among others.
He was a man who was disciplined and led a very God fearing and exemplary Christian life and he wanted others to do the same. Through all ups and downs he never once wavered in his walk with His Lord. Wherever he went, he did not fail to Glorify God. His two main commitments in life were to Glorify God, and another was the cause of The Naga Nation. Even during his stay in Kathmandu from what I learnt, he was instrumental in building a church there. Through his friends in the Church circle he could also take the Naga struggle to many other platforms. I also had the privilege of accompanying him to attend church services in Bangkok and Manila.
His sacrifices can never be fully comprehended. Most of the children were born in the jungles and were sent away one by one, carried by sacrificing villagers and cadres through rough jungle terrains. They were all born during the worst time of the struggle and taking them out of jungles for safety was another heartbreaking story altogether. All the children grew up in different homes, away from each other. The family did not grow up as a unit. No doubt, it was traumatic for the children. However, through it all the Lord God was merciful and today they have all turned out to be fine young men and woman. The first time the family ever got together was around 2002-2004 in Manila. It was just for a few years but that was the most memorable and most cherished time that I can remember. One of my greatest worry that I shouldered all my life was for my uncles family. I always worried about what would happen to the children. I remember, seeing them all together for the first time in Manila bought me so much happiness. I had taken care of each one of them when they were first brought to Kohima and Ghathashi. Here I want to particularly thank the following families who had helped in raising them to be what they are today. Mr. & Mrs. K.L. Chishi and family, Mr. & Mrs. Lt. Gen Zuheto Swu and family, Mr. & Mrs. late Quito Chishi and family, Mr. & Mrs. Khetovi Chishi and family, Mr. & Mrs. Nihoshe Swu Lazami and family and within the close family particularly, Rev. Luhoi Jakha and family, Mr. & Mrs. Nixezu and family, Rev. Yehoshe Chishi Swu and family. If I have not mentioned all, we do remember every single one of you who has helped along the way. The Naga struggle would not have come this far and my uncle would not have accomplished what he has thus far, had it not been for his long time companion and colleague, Uncle Th. Muivah. Their partnership was a perfect balance, which was, I can say without doubt, pre-determined by God. The amazing relationship survived through many ups and downs and would not have survived this far if the hand of God was not present. For being his friend, his brother and his family all through the years, I thank him on behalf of all the family members.
I would also like to thank all the rank and file of NSCN (IM) and every individual who worked with him, for believing in him and in his leadership.
On behalf of the family I want to thank the Sumi community for upholding the Naga struggle thus far. Right from the beginning till now, the Sumis have been in the forefront of Naga Political Struggle. Your prayers, contributions and good wishes are immeasurable. I want to thank the Sumi Hoho, Western Sumi Hoho, Eastern Sumi Hoho, Northern Sumi Hoho, Sumi Aphuyemi Hoho, Sumi Kukami Hoho, Sumi Gazatted Union and all other organizations that I may have failed to mention. Your support and contribution throughout his lifetime, till he took his last breath has been so immense. We hope you will continue to extend the same unwavering support to the Cause of the Nagas. Both my Uncle and Aunty were guided by the Lord throughout, but what they could do all the way was also because of the contribution, in cash, in kind, physical and mental help extended to them by the Sumi community. I urge the Sumi community to continue to support the Naga cause even in the days ahead.
The Sumi Aphuyemi Pughoboto has always been a source of strength to the Naga cause. Sumi Aphuyemi has also suffered untold humiliation and pain for the cause of Naga political right, but we have stood our ground not because we had Isak Chishi Swu, but there is in us the spirit of nationalism much before Isak. I urge the Aphuyemi’s that we should not give up, we must carry on and support the struggle in the way we have through the years till we achieve our goal.
The people of Chishilimi have suffered a lot. From the time my uncle joined the movement till today. Today we are burying him after decades of suffering but I am confident and I want each and every one of us to believe that this burial upon the soil of Chishilimi will bring manifold blessing upon this very soil and upon the lives of every Chishilimi for generations to come.
The Naga Civil Society and the Naga Churches has been one of the most proactive and progressive pressure groups. The unflinching support and contribution of Naga Civil Society Groups towards the Naga Struggle is commendable. I want to particularly thank the Naga Hoho, NSF, NPMHR, NMA, FNR, ENPO, ENSF, ENWO, UNC, ANSAM and all other organizations for recognising the leadership of my uncle Isak Chishi Swu. l also want to thank the Naga Civil Society under the aegis of Naga Hoho for the decision you have taken to erect a memorial in his honour in the State capital Kohima.
I thank God for Iza Khulu whom God chose to be the life partner of my uncle Isak Chishi Swu. Iza Khulu herself was a cadre in the Naga movement. She has been a source of strength, proficient at juggling the responsibilities of being a mother of a family as well as a Nation. Though her life has been a constant struggle she never wavered and stood by my uncle for which we, the family is very grateful. She made every effort to assist in the responsibility of her husband, even to the extent of taking up English Courses so that she may accompany her husband in his frequent travels around the world. Today I am proud to say that she is as capable a diplomat of the Naga Nation as any trained person. We pray for her well-being so that she may continue to be an inspiration to the Naga People.
The decision to bury him in his Native village Chishilimi has caused a lot of inconvenience to the entire Naga people. I want to thank the Naga Hoho, the Sumi Hoho and the Western Sumi Hoho for the concern you had to bury him in the State Capital Kohima, in Zunheboto and in Western Sumi area respectively, but the family members and the Chishilimi as a whole could not do away with his last wish. He wanted his mortal remains to be brought to his village for burial. I want to thank all the members involved in the funeral organizing committee, the Naga Community Delhi, NSCN, Western Sumi Hoho, Angami Public Organization, Angami Youth organization, Rengma Hoho, Sumi Aphuyemi Hoho, Sumi Hoho. The neighbouring villages of Chisholimi, Kilomi, Khughutomi, Hebolimi, Mukalimi, Ghathashi, Lazami and Sumi Aphuyemi Hoho, Sumi Aphuyemi Kukami Hoho, SAKK and each and every individual, community and organization who have participated in various ways.
As we gather here to pay our last respect to Ino Isak Chishi Swu, let us be reminded of five greatest achievements achieved thus far for the Naga people:
1. Cease-fire between Naga Political groups and Government of India.
2. Recognition of Naga Issue in the United Nations,
3. Making the Indian Government recognize the Uniqueness of Naga History,
4. Signing of the Framework Agreement and
. Signing of the Covenant of Reconciliation.
Let us remember that he was from the 50’s and 60’s. His leadership has led the Nagas into the 21st century. It is for posterity to record how we, the present generation go forward with the legacy that he has given us.
Who is a true Naga leader? According to me it would be a person who do not think of himself or his family or his or her tribe alone but able to think for the entire Nagas, hence my last words. My beloved and most honoured “True Naga Leader” my Uncle Isak Chishi Swu, I bid you farewell --- Ileno Wolo!
Y. Vikheho Swu
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