Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 4
The Naga Students Federation (NSF) today kick started its 75 Years Celebration (1947-2022) through tree plantation here at Naga Solidarity Park.
The NSF 75 Years celebration was formally launched by Nagaland Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Neiba Kronu by lighting jubilee torch.
Addressing the gathering, Kronu, who is also former NSF President, said that NSF represents the sentiments of the Naga people and it cares for fulfillment of the common aspirations. In this, he recalled that with a view to bring about better unity and also to have a common voice of the Naga civil society, the NSF had called for formation of Naga Hoho in 1997. He also stressed on the need to strengthen Naga Hoho.
Maintaining that the NSF has come thus far taking up the welfare of the Nagas in general, he said lots more needs to be done, especially on Naga Political issue which remained unresolved.
Kronu said the theme for the 75 years of existence of NSF ‘Call to Oneness’ is apt which give the hope that Nagas will unite for the common cause of the unresolved political issue.
The Minister also stressed on the need for Nagas to focus on economic uplift by engaging in agricultural activities, specially planting fruit trees as the state is blessed with fertile land and sufficient rainfall.
He was also hopeful that the untapped rich natural resources can be utilized towards the economic prosperity of the Nagas.
NSF President, Kegwayhun Tep appealed the Naga people to do away with the internal differences and work together to achieve the common aspirations.
Tep appealed the people to come together and work in unison for the greater lim and glory of the Nagas.
‘Time to revive feeling of oneness’
K Temjen Jamir, NSF former president and Convenor Planning Committee NSF 75 years celebration said the NSF story is not just about the students but the Nagas is general.
“The need of the hour for Naga people at this juncture is, indeed, oneness,” he said adding that “We have agreements with others but we are unable to agree each other amongst us to have a common approach towards Naga political settlement”.
The spirit of oneness is missing and this is the time to revive the feeling of oneness to overcome all ill feelings, he said.
He said that NSF was founded on the Naga peoples aspiration to live together as one people, and “we must live as one people irrespective of geographical locations wherever we are or we may be, and we must refuse to assimilate ourselves into India and Myanmar political culture.”
As Nagas celebrates the formation and remarkable journey of togetherness for the last 75 years, the NSF urges all concerned groups engaged in peacemaking to resume its noble journey of reconciliation and call upon every Naga to reconcile ourselves first before we reconcile with others, he said.
NSF informed that the tree plantation programme in commemoration of World Environment Day was also carried out by all the federating units in their respective jurisdiction.
The programme was chaired by NSF vice president Atokiho Sumi while vote of thanks was proposed by NSF general secretary Siipuni Ng Philo.
