Chizokho Vero
Asufu, Robvedzu
(Punanamei) | May 9
Minister for agriculture Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu today complimented the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) “for always contributing to ignite the minds of the students thereby bringing about integration and understanding among the Nagas and for shaping the young minds of our Naga brothers.”
“Naga Students’ Federation has to become partners in the development missions of Nagas by knowledge planning, knowledge creation and knowledge dissemination among the students who will be executing the missions after completing their education,” the minister opined while addressing the inaugural function of the 22nd general conference of NSF here this morning under the theme “Enduring Beyond..”
The education system should inspire the young to learn how to achieve, he said adding that students with such a prepared mind can definitely take up the entrepreneurial leadership and become employment generators rather than employment seekers.
Azo also asserted that in order to be at par with the rest of the world “we should do away with ‘isms’ such as nepotism, factionalism and tribalism etc.”
“Therefore, we should revamp our society from gun culture, non-violence and hatred to a loving society, revengeful to forgiving, tearing down to rebuilding our society, weeping to laughing and war to peace.”
And I strongly felt that a time has come for all of us as Nagas to truly realize that we are truly blood brothers. Why should we ruin a perfect future because of the silly past? I know nothing is easy, but everything is possible if we are committed,” Azo said.
The minister also says “we want peace to prevail in our land, we want to live in peace and harmony.
I am sure we do not want anymore bloodshed and fratricidal killings, we want our posterity to be free from communalism and we also want our Naga nationality to be the source of justice and equality.”
NSF president V. Phushika Aomi in his address said that the arbitrary demarcated boundary created by the suppressors in an attempt to divide the Naga people without our consent could never keep NSF away from people’s common aspiration.
“Let us remind ourselves that as students, we have equal share of responsibility to promote our issues rather than shying away from it and inherit an incomplete legacy,” Aomi said adding land, people and boundary are the three fundamental principles upon which, a nation is build. The land and her people are inseparable entities.
This is an intrinsic strength of the Nagas, a strength which India and Burma sought to undermine by intentionally creating an imaginary political line without consulting us, he said adding “this divisive line has confused the new generation and has compromised us from claiming our rightful place among the nations of the world.”
The greatest fear of our enemy is the unity of Naga tribes, he said and the disturbing factor today is intermittent factional clashes. The enemy sheds crocodile tears to woo our heart over this development. Nagas cannot effort to sacrifice our cause through this unnecessary hunting and killing among Naga brethrens, which will be political suicide.
“The younger generation must no longer be forced to inherit this vicious heritage of mutual suspicion and conflict, therefore, must work to find a solution,” said NSF president adding that Nagas need a healing touch on each others’ wounds and must reconcile “if we are to achieve our goal early.”
Based on its firm principles, he said the NSF stands against all odds as and when Naga people’s existence are questioned or challenged by outside factors.
In defense of Naga people’s inherent rights, the NSF has never failed its call-of-duty at any point of time, employing various democratic methods to voice out against suppression oppression, he added.
Stating that various socio-economic challenges lie ahead of Naga youths, the president said “Because the very survival of a Nation is determined by its economy, we need to develop a sound economy to be self-sufficient. We have rich mineral and natural resources at our disposal, and we need human resources to tap this potential.”
Also stating that many multinationals were taking interest in exploiting “our resources on the pretext of extraction, taking advantage of Nagas simplicity,” Aomi said “the NSF has a clear policy on this matter that unless government signs a Memorandum of Understanding on the principle ‘ Honourable, beneficial and acceptable to the people’ any form of extraction shall not be allowed.
Individual property rights must be respected, he added.
Touching on education, the NSF president lamented that many government teachers has forgotten their basic duties and started looking for political shelter by either hiring someone as proxy teacher, find themselves attached to ministers and MLAs, school directorate or district offices which has become daily fashion, leaving the poor school children to their own fate.”
“Today it is apparent that government schools have become a poor man’s school,” he added.
Earlier, additional chief secretary and development commissioner Lalthara inaugurated the NSF Park.
North East Students’ Organization (NESO) chairman Dr. Samujal Bhattacharjee, MLA Atomi Zhimomi and representatives from United Naga Council and All Assam Students Union also spoke at the inaugural function.
The function was chaired by K. Inaka Assumi while P. Chuba Ozukum, convenor organizing committee said welcome address.
Meanwhile, cultural regale will take place on May 10 from 10:00 AM with His Highness, Kirit Pradyot Manikya Debburman, the Maharaja of Twipra as the special guest.
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