General (Retd) Viyalie Metha
Kedahge
Federal Government of Nagaland
Dear Fellow Nagas,
Warm greetings to all the Nagas, far and near on this momentous occasion of the 75thAnniversary of Nagaland Independence Declaration. Wishing you all joy and happiness wherever you may be.
Today, we are able to celebrate a great achievement, made it possible through God’s blessing and protection. At the same time, the sufferings, losses and sacrifices endured and given by the Naga people, starting from 1950s till today. Therefore, we owed our existence today and beyond to the Almighty God and the patriotic Naga men and women who had given their all for us to live as a nation among nations. Which is the envy of people around us.
Be proud that Nagas had done and achieved all that is proper and legally right. To narrate briefly our national status from early period till today; from time immemorial Nagas lived freely in their villages without any foreign control. When the British intruded into parts of our country we allowed them to stay in our land without entering into any legal and written agreement. On the eve of the British departure several goodwill diplomatic missions went to meet the leaders of the emerging nation of India. One such important mission took place on July 19, 1947. Where a Naga delegation consisting of Naga National Council (NNC) leaders met the undisputed father figure leader Mahatma Gandhi and informed him of the Naga intention to formally declare Naga Independence on 15th August, 1947. To which Gandhi asked and encouraged the Naga delegation, “Why wait August 15? Why not declare it today? Remember, that was on July 19, 1947. Such good nature and understanding, and goodwill from Mahatma Gandhi. Thus nobody stopped us and has no right to stop Nagaland Independence. That was how Nagaland Independence was declared by the Naga National Council on 14th August, 1947 in Kohima. From then on it is history. Where India is answerable sooner or later.Which we are not going to delve into today. The issue with India is withdrawal of its occupational forces from Nagaland. What matters is, who can stop our Independence.
Coming to Nagaland, the territory of the Naga country, I would like to enlighten ignorant Nagas by quoting the Article I of the Yehzabo (Constitution) of Nagaland, which states; The territory of Nagaland shall comprise all the territories of the Nagas and such other territories as the Tatar Hoho may by law admit on such terms and conditions as it may deem fit.
Thus, one should not be confused with the puppet state of Nagaland created by the Government of India with the intention to divide and confuse the Nagas. For that matter, from the very inception of the so-called 16-point Agreement which created the state of Nagaland by India was outrightlyrejected by the then NNC President, A.Z. Phizo through a statement dated July 31, 1960,where Phizo stated; “No agreement can be recognized regarding the future of Nagaland except with people who are truly representative of the Naga Nation.” Similarly, the Federal Government of Nagaland sent a protest note to the Prime Minister of India on the event of granting full-fledged statehood to Manipur from the Union territory. The protest note titled “A protest Against Naga Territorial Involvement by the Government of India in Manipur” – dated 19th January, 1972.
As such, the name of Naga country is Nagaland - no other name. And no other constitution and no other flag except the constitution and flag of the Federal Government of Nagaland.
This day is also an occasion for thanksgiving. We Nagas are blessed in many ways, which we can count at the individual level and at the national level. But the most important ones are; Nagas as a nation with one destiny on this earth and as Christians for eternity. This is a rare thing in the world. Therefore, we must be grateful to the Almighty God always and look for his guidance and blessing at all times.
I wish to state, that Nagas of my generation have stood against all the odds the enemy unleashed on the Nagas in this past 75 years. And I am proud to claim that Nagas have done well in giving our all to the Naga rightful cause in our own rustic way. Come what may, we are ready to face any eventuality in the years to come. But today, the challenge is upon the youth of the present generation. Who are much better equipped in many respects; educationally, intellectually, technologically and financially. Therefore, the youth must come forward to shoulder the national responsibility and make Nagaland of our dream.
Long Live Nagaland.
KUKNALIM.
