Morung Express News
Kohima | June 24
“All stories have a beginning. To know one’s origin is very important,” said Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, Nagaland Chief Minister, who spoke to a young gathering on June 24 at the Global Shapers Kohima hub monthly Cafe Conversation series- ‘Story Nights.’
Upholding and attempting to revive the age old tradition of oral storytelling, the Global Shapers Kohima Hub held its third Cafe Conversations series ‘Story Nights’ at D Cafe, Jail Colony Kohima. “We are all made of stories and in stories there are no agendas,” said Apem Raman, Curator of Global Shapers Kohima Hub while giving an introduction of the Story Nights series, adding that stories are the way people interpret their own narratives of life.
In keeping with the tradition of storytelling, Dr Shürhozelie narrated his memoirs of growing up in Kohima village and retold the folktales he learned as a child. Due to the absence of scripts in the Naga culture, stories were ‘told and retold’ therefore Dr Liezietsu noted that in retelling stories, some elements may have got lost however the ‘theme’ remained the same. “With the change of time, many people think that it is not important to know one’s origin, but we must go back and find our origin, our history,” noted Dr Liezietsu while narrating the migration history of the Nagas from neighbouring South Asian countries.
“I belong to the generation which have seen maximum changes in Nagaland. The greatest change was brought by the World War II. Though we lost heavily, that was the beginning of how we opened our eyes for the modern world,” said Dr Liezietsu viewing that the Great War though devastating, prepared the Nagas for modernity.
Expressing hope in the younger Naga generation, Dr Liezietsu posited how the young have advanced and progressed with the rest of the world. At the same time, he also felt that the older generation need to search themselves, delineate the origin of the people and start afresh somewhere. The Naga elder also lamented that the young generation are least bothered about their basic history where often they are not aware of the names of their immediate grandparents or even the meaning of their village’s name. “As far as progress and modernity is concerned, let us go as fast as we can but it is important at the same time to know our history,” Dr Liezietsu suggested. Despite the progress in Naga society, Dr Liezietsu expressed concern over the growing economic problem which will trigger a revolution Nagas are not ready for, further adding, “Unless we discuss our problems very seriously we are moving towards a dangerous trend now. For the young, I should advice to never depend on government jobs. You have to find a way so that you will thrive on your own.”
While there are many ways to bring improvisation in Nagaland, Dr Liezietsu lamented on the lack of initiatives. He also felt that it is necessary to have hard talk with one another and find out ways for our future.
Hoping for a settlement soon
During the interaction, questions were also raised on the ongoing Framework Agreement and the future of the Nagas, to which Dr Liezietsu hoped that there will be a settlement soon. “Any settlement high or low, big or small we need it very badly.
We must bring back the system to the society so that the people can grow,” the Chief Minister stated. About the ongoing dialogue for a settlement, the CM admitted he does not know the contents.
While the Nagas have divided themselves into many factions, the Dr Liezietsu considered the formation of the Naga National Political Group (NNPG) by six factions a big step because it makes it easier to assert the unity of the Nagas.
“We may be wrong but we have been requesting the six groups not to insist on the participation at this crucial stage in the talk. And on the other side we have been telling NSCN (IM) that if you believe in yourself that you are hammering out the settlement for the Nagas then it is high time to contact the other groups because we must be very clear that NSCN (IM) alone cannot bring about the solutions. Therefore it is they who have to come down a little bit and approach other groups at this time,” the Chief Minister revealed.
