Gen (Retd) TM Rhakho,
Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland
My dear Countrymen,
On this historic day, the 14th of August 2024 as the Nation celebrate the 77th years of Naga Independence Day. I take the privilege to address you on behalf of the Federal Government of Nagaland. Firstly, I give all glory and honor to our Almighty God who has blessed us with the Naga Nation and we are the custodians to defend its existence and upkeep to glorify God.
Secondly with outmost reverence I pay my tribute to our pioneers and founding fathers and to all Naga Martyr and families for their selfless sacrifice, sweats tears and blood. I assure you that the NNC/FGN will never give in to the ideals. We all so highly cherished upon which thousands made their supreme sacrifice I beseech the same spirit of Nationalism resonates within each and everyone of us with greater reason more than ever.
It is on this historic day that we embarked on becoming a people, a Nation to the world under God. It is on this day we took the giant leap to declare our freedom and independence to the world that we will never be part of any foreign. The desire of the Nagas to live in peaceful co-existence with our neighbors should not be constructed as weak nor we cannot afford to our adversaries to buy any more time to destroy the tables of our movement. We must re-orient ourselves to walk on the path that our great leaders had chosen and we must do so together in the spirit of forgiveness and mutual understanding. We have never lost sight of what our forefathers have laid for us. Had it not been for the declaration of our independence on this very day in 1947, where could we be in our political movement? And had it not been for the Naga plebiscite of 1951, where 99.9% of our forefathers put their thumb impression with their blood declaring “We are Nagas and not Indian” and we will forever be free without the interference of any other foreign power, where would we be standing today. The historic declaration and the momentous action exhibit our historical and political rights before the world. The NNC/FGN hold these principle towers as the solid foundation for without these historical facts, our political movement will be lifeless, the NNC/FGN stands to preserve the long cherished dream of the Nagas. Today I pledge before Almighty God and our people that my Government will never deviate from the path our great leader Dr. A.Z Phizo have paved and will never settle for anything short of sovereignty no matter how long it may take us. Today, as we celebrate this historic day of our Nation.
I wish to acknowledge and put on record my appreciation and gratitude to all our people who are praying and observing this day throughout the world. Let us take pride in the strenuous journey we have taken thus far but until we reach our destination much will be required of us. We must stay strong and focused. Today, we celebrate with pride, and honour those who have made the supreme sacrifice towards the national cause for it is because of them we stand proud and inspired in midst of all trails and difficulties. To all who have stood steadfast, I congratulate you.
My special salute goes to the recipients of the awards and commendations for the dedication and sacrifice you have made. Let us rededicate ourself today to what we all hold dear and stand steadfast until we reach our final destination and attain our rightful place among the Nations of the world.
God bless Nagaland
Kuknalim
Speech on the occasion of 77th Naga Independence Day, August 14, 2024
