'There is a window of opportunity for all of us'
Arup Kumar Goswami administers oath to RN Ravi at Raj Bhavan Kohima on August 1. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 1
Nagaland’s governor RN Ravi today said that five years back when Prime minister Narendra Modi gave him the responsibility as the Interlocutor to Naga peace talks, he accepted as “not a mere job” and has been looking and pursuing it “as a mission of my life.”
“While I have no doubt that we will achieve what we all have been looking for, there cannot be a ‘No’ when you all are with me,” Ravi said while speaking at the “Welcome Reception” programme here this evening at State Banquet Hall.
“There is a window of opportunity for all of us,” he said adding that Nagaland cannot afford to miss it.
“It is the accumulative contribution of all that we have come so close, that the final settlement seems within the glass,” Ravi remarked.
Over the years, he was thankful in receiving the immense love and cooperation extended to him by the Naga people, including the NGOs, and particularly the elected representatives of the Naga people irrespective of party colour.
In assuming the office of the Governor of Nagaland, Ravi stated that this will be another inning to journey with the people of Nagaland.
Earlier, in his message to the people of Nagaland on assumption of office, Ravi said that he will remain steadfastly committed to “my constitutional responsibilities.” “I take a pledge that I dedicate myself selflessly and tirelessly to the service of the people of Nagaland,” he stated.
My endeavour would be to help create an ecosystem of optimum opportunities for them here in Nagaland so that they not only help overcome the development differentials with the most advanced states of the country but outdo them, he said adding, “I would like equal partnership of our mothers and daughters. They deserve urgent better attention in terms of health, education and entrepreneurship.”
Ravi said his dream is to see the youth of Nagaland at the vanguard of all these technologies for the good of the people.
He said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is on way to fulfilling its long awaited destiny.
“Early honourable resolution of the Naga political issue has been at his heart. My earnest endeavour will be to help resolve it at the earliest ensuring utmost honour and dignity to the Naga people,” Ravi said.
Further, Ravi called upon the people of Nagaland, specially the youth, to awake, arise and set the momentum of a resurgent state, a Nagaland that becomes a model for other states of the Indian Union to follow.
Speaking at the reception programme, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the entire Naga community is looking forward to the Governorship of RN Ravi with high hopes and expectations.
Rio said that Ravi is not a new name in Nagaland as he has been closely associated with the state and the Naga people for many years.
As interlocutor of the Indo-Naga peace process, he has been at the core of the peace talks and the political negotiations and was the driving force behind the 3rd August Framework Agreement which was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, Rio said.
“The people across all Naga areas are crying out for peace and resolution of the several decades old Indo-Naga political conflict. Generations have been impacted by the political movement and all sections and conflicting parties have come to the realization that talks across table with respect and honour for each other is the only way ahead,” Rio added.
An early negotiated political solution that is honourable and acceptable to the people and one that upholds the political rights of the Nagas in a democratic manner is the need of the hour, he said adding that resolution of the Indo-Naga conflict will not only bring to an end one of the longest political movements in the entire region but also defuse what has come to be known as the mother of all insurgencies.
“You have our fullest cooperation and support in our collective aspiration of achieving lasting peace,” Rio assured Ravi.
Opposition leader TR Zeliang said the state of Nagaland is fortunate to have a Governor in the person of RN Ravi whose name and identity has become synonymous with the Indo-Naga political issue.
“It was only after over 80 rounds of peace talks spanning several years that the Framework Agreement was signed with RN Ravi as interlocutor. It is without doubt that his role and contribution towards the Indo-Naga political solution leading to the signing of the Framework Agreement between GoI and the NSCN/GPRN on August 3, 2015, which is now joined by 7 NNPGs, will go down the annals of history as a landmark achievement,” Zeliang said.
He was optimistic that the appointment of R.N Ravi as the Governor of Nagaland will facilitate and speed-up the process of negotiation between the Naga Political Groups and the GoI.
As an opposition party, the Naga People’s Front reassures our fullest co-operation and is ever-ready to extend our contribution, wherever it is needed, he added.
RN Ravi sworn-in as 19th Governor of Nagaland
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 1
Former Deputy National Security Advisor who is also the Interlocutor to the Naga peace process, RN Ravi was sworn-in as 19th Governor of Nagaland here today at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan. Arup Kumar Goswami, Chief Justice (Acting), Gauhati High Court administered the oath of office to the latter.
Nagaland’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet colleagues, opposition leader TR Zeliang, ex-Governor Dr. SC Jamir, NLA speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu, MP (Rajya Sabha) KG Kenye, top police/army officers, NGO leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony. The swearing-in ceremony was followed by a State Guard of Honour presented by Nagaland Police.
RN Ravi, born in 1952, did masters in Physics in 1974. He joined the Indian Police Service in 1976. He served in different parts of the country in various capacities. After retirement from government service in 2012, he wrote regular column in national dailies.
He re-joined the government as chairman Joint Intelligence Committee in the Prime Minister’s Office in August 2014 and in October 2018, he was appointed as deputy National Security advisor to the Prime Minister.
Ravi's major achievements as Interlocutor include the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Government of India and the (NSCN-IM) on August 3, 2015 and the “the ‘Agreed Position’ or ‘Preamble’ signed on November 17, 2017 with the the Working Committee (WC) of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs).
