Unity in Diversity
MP Thomas
We rejoice at the successful completion of the grand celebration of unity in diversity in the heritage village in Kisama. In spite of minor hitches it is clear that the Hornbill Festival has been a huge success and the state can be proud of its achievement. At this silver Jubilee celebration of the Festival every speaker , starting from the Chief Host , Nagaland Governor La Ganesan, spoke of the Hornbill Festival as an “opportunity to celebrate our unity in diversity and to strive for a harmonious future enriched by mutual respect”. The Host Chief Minister , Neiphiu Rio asserted that the Festival “encapsulated the Naga way of life , bringing together all tribes and communities in a spirit of unity. The deputy chief of mission in the US embassy , referring to the problems indigenous cultures are facing worldwide recommended :“Let us take a piece of Nagaland’s unity, diversity and culture with us” . Can we not now dream of bringing down this same sense of unity and brotherhood into actual life, in our homes, villages and towns and why not, even beyond the borders of our land into the wide world ?
The Present Time
It is true that our times look some what hopeless. With so many wars going on all over the world and mini wars in our own country and the divisions and conflict in our own land, the situation seems beyond redemption. Add to it he atmosphere of hatred and bitterness created by the way the leaders of political parties speak. We are often treated to unheard of expressions and phraes used in public forums which would have been unthinkable in the mouths of civilized people some years back! It appears that decency and good manners have disappeared from the lives and behavior of most leaders.
A call from the distant past – Francis of Assisi
But we have do have many voices from the past that echo distinctly even today calling us back to fundamentals .I want to bring to your notice one voice familiar to all, that of Francis of Assisi : His call for universal brotherhood. We know that he considered the whole creation as his family: Brother Sun, Sister moon, Brother fire , sister water, mother earth, etc.
Francis of Assisi had a dream more than 800 years ago, when he undertook a visit to Sultan Malik –el-Kamil in Egypt, which entailed considerable hardship, given his scarce resources , the great distances to be travelled and their differences of language , culture and religion. That journey undertaken at the time of the crusades, further demonstrated the breadth and grandeur of his love which sought to embrace everyone. Many thought it foolhardy and doomed to failure. Many even feared that he would not be able to come back alive from the court of the Sultan. But Francis went with the same attitude he instilled in his disciples: if they found themselves among nonbelievers, without renouncing their own identity “they were not to engage in arguments or disputes , but to be subject to every human creature for God’s sake”. After the initial suspicion the Sultan was captivated by the simplicity and courage of that holy man and treated him with veneration. It is surprising that at that time he urged that all forms of hostility or conflict be avoided and that a humble and fraternal subjection be shown to those who did not share his faith.
Fratelli Tutti (Brothers & Sisters all)
Listening to the distant call of Francis of Assisi for universal brotherhood, pope Francis in his letter “Fratelli Tutti”(Brothers and sisters all) sends out an invitation to dialogue among all people of good will. He suggests that we dream together “ as a single human family , as fellow travellers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home”. Each of us is to bring the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, unity in diversity , brothers and sisters all !
Recalling the visit of Francis of Assisi and following in his footsteps in 2019 pope Francis had a meeting with the Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb in Abu Dabi where in a joint declaration they stated:“ God has created all human beings equal in rights , duties and dignity, and has called them to live together as brothers and sisters .” The Covid 19 pandemic exposed our false securities in spite of all our advancements in science and technology. The world was not able to respond unitedly to the crisis to the extent required in spite of our hyper connectivity by means of the modern means of instant communication. To cite one example : vaccines were cornered by the rich nations leaving the poor to their own devices ! We are indeed connected to the whole world but are less related to one another on the personal level. The realization is gradually dawning on us that no one can face life in isolation. We need a community that supports and helps us , in which we can help one another to keep looking ahead and “learn to dream together”.
Dreamers of our own Time
We have before us great leaders of modern times who dreamt of universal fraternity and contributed significantly to achieving it: Martin Luther King,Desmond Tutu,Mahatma Gandhi and many more.
Should we not focus on the present dreamers and promoters of peace and unity in our land? Among others there is the “Forum for Naga Reconciliation” , formed in 2008. It has done a commendable job of keeping alive the dream and hope of our Naga people and all people of good will. Their perseverance in spite of hiccups and setbacks is truly praiseworthy . Major landmarks in their journey are the “Covenant of Reconciliation” and the “ September joint Accord”. Not looking for immediate results, they have gone ahead . They deserve the support of all .
Another entity, the Peace Channel, promoted by the Peace Center in Chumukedima , is an emerging youth peace movement aiming at the transformation of individuals to be peace-lovers, peace- makers and peace-promoters. The youth is a power for good or evil. If the energy of youth can be channeled in the ways of peace and unity we shall have a peaceful future. That’s what the peace channel is trying to do. And that too deserves our whole- hearted support.
We have also individuals who have worked for peace. Longri Ao (1906 – 1981) who was a missionary and a peacemaker.Natwar Thakkar (1932-2018), known popularly as ‘Nagaland’s Gandhi’, one of the last Gandhians, who came from Maharashtra and settled down in Chuchuyimlang, a Naga village caught the crosshairs of insurgency. He established the “Nagaland Gandhi Ashram”, promoting national and emotional integration.
We have our own Niketu Iralu , the welll-known and esteemed Peace actvist and Naga statesman. He has dedicated and continues to dedicate his life to the promotion of dialogue and peace.
Permanent Fruit of the Horn Festival ?
All these are men who have contributed to help us to dream and take our share in the realization of peace and unity in our land and in the world at large. May their lives spur us on to do our bit even in the face of seeming odds. Cannot this be the permanent fruit of the yearly Hornbill Festival?
