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Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 30
Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) President Ninoto Awomi today maintained that the NSF has been the torchbearer for the youths and the Naga people at large in fostering unity for all Naga tribes cutting across all lines and artificial boundaries.
“Today, the Naga people and the entire region eagerly awaits an outcome based on the promise of a solution made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Awomi said in his presidential address at the 29th general conference of the NSF here today at Naga Solidarity Park.
An agreement that will honour the historical and political rights of the Naga people and restore the pride of the Nagas without compromising its future, the NSF President stated.
“We have embarked upon a historic crossroad in the journey of our people in defence of our rights and in our quest to restore the honour of the Naga people. But regrettably, what culminated as a national movement is now slowly losing impetus into polarised camps, factions and groups, based on tribal and territorial lines, which have threatened the very fabric and the existence of our people,” Awomi said.
He said that the Naga people cannot afford to allow the bitterness of the past to dictate the course of the future. “The younger generation yearns to live in peace and at par with the rest of the world, and the only way forward to realize this common hope is to learn to accommodate each other, setting aside all egos, past differences and enmity among the various Naga tribes, groups, factions and other barriers,” he added.
‘Bring about a life of dignity’
Awomi also stressed on the need to step out from the parameters of confinement and make a collective effort to bring about a life of dignity and the shared purpose of peaceful coexistence and respectful relationships within Naga people and with neighbours.
He said the students’ community and the youths have a vast role to play as ambassadors of goodwill and understanding to help create a harmonious environment where “respect, democracy, justice and peace are the cornerstones of relationships amongst ourselves and with those living in close proximity with us.”
“We must respect each other’s history and basic human rights, accept each other’s differences and value the common interests so as to establish a secure future,” he said.
Awomi challenged the people to strive to build a future where the entire region will thrive together in harmony.
“The challenges ahead of us are vast but as students and educated youths who will ultimately inherit the future, if not us then who will? It is therefore, you and I who must shoulder this responsibility,” he asserted.
‘Rise up against corruption, mediocrity, isms’
He also challenged the people to rise up against “corruption, mediocrity, isms and from our narrow tribalistic mindset.”
Awomi highlighted various activities taken by the team, which took over office in the month of May 2019.
Issues such as extension of ILP in Dimapur, setting up of Nagaland Staff Selection Board, mainstreaming of SSA and RMSA teachers 2010 and 2013 batch into the state cadre, hoisting of Naga National Flag in all Naga inhabited areas, mass solidarity rally at New Delhi for the ongoing Indo-Naga dialogue, No-False Claim on Scholarship Campaign, setting up of Foreign Graduate Medical Examination Centre in Kohima, Reservation issue etc were among the many activities.
“We must endeavour to protect and preserve all that we have in our culture and in our land while also sparing no efforts to eliminate those elements and practices which are against the social and economic progress of our people,” he said.
The NSF President called upon the people to strive towards harmony, in building lasting relationships with the neighbours and share the positive traits of the people graciously with the outside world. “Together, we must continue to press forward as a federation in strengthened cooperation and harmony in days to come,” he said.
