Naga Day observed in Nagaland

Kohima (Nagaland) [India], January 11 (ANI): Naga people from various states of the country and Myanmar came together today to observe the Naga Day here to commemorate submission of the memorandum on the Naga rights to the Simon Commission in 1929.

The theme for this year's event was 'Nagas Without Borders'. More than 15 speakers delivered speeches harping on oneness and togetherness, in the event hosted by the Angami Public Organisation (APO).

Speaking on "Why Naga Day?", peace activist, Niketu Iralu, said it was a day that took Nagas back to what had happened 89 years ago, to assess the distance Nagas had covered and what was achieved.

He said many may not be thankful to the pioneers in 1929 who, by their declaration woke up the Nagas to go on long journey and because of whom today, Nagas have reached thus far.

Iralu said time has come to reject hatred, fears and selfishness of the past and take the Naga society forward.

He added, "Nagas must appreciate and thank one another for what was achieved and also asked them to stop blaming each other for what was not achieved as the blame game only weakened unity."

Niketu urged upon Naga people to lift each other up to do what was good for common goal instead of pulling down one another. "By making others great no one becomes smaller," Iralu said.

In his address on "Calling Home", FNR convener, Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, said the soul of Naga history was alive and "Naga Day" was a testament that Nagas have victoriously emerged from the storms of the past as tragedies have taught Nagas to be a better and fit people.

He said the day was like a great piece of art that was handed to the Nagas, a unique kaleidoscope of socio-cultural art, a collective and constructive art, created by the brushes of many painters.

Stating that "Naga Day" was to reaffirm the past, Rev. Aier said it was also a day to consolidates a culture of belonging and would continue to spread influences that Nagas were without borders.

Dr. Aier asserted that Nagas today wanted to make a shift from therperpetual mindset of looking backwards.

"Naga Day is a paradigm shift from our perpetual mindset of clinging on and looking backwards," FNR convenor said.

Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) president and NBCC general secretary, Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, in his address on 'Celebrating Oneness', said Nagas were a big family and the bigness transcended the demarcation of the border lines.

"The gathering today must kill this spirit only then true celebration will emerge in full bloom," he noted.

He suggested three points needed for the celebration -- to create positive history for tomorrow by going back to the past glory of oneness and come out strong by asserting that unity was a must for true celebration of oneness to take place in one's mind.

Naga Club chairman, Krurovi Peseyie, in his address recalled the first Naga Political representation submitted to Simon Commission on January 10, 1929 and said the formation of Naga Platform acted as the political platform.

He said it was a wonder how the idea of forming a common platform those days was conceptualized. Peseyie, however, said that Almighty God had been with the Nagas despite Nagas backwardness and ignorance of His existence and all those events happened for good as designed by God.

FNR members Dr. P. Ngulie, Athikho Liriite, Shwisho Lorin, Jawang Sumpa, Dr. Chingmak Chang, Dr. Kethoser Kevichusa, Athong Makury, Dr. Akum Longchari, Theyiesinuo Keditsu also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, tribal warriors from Konyak tribe opened the event by beating of "Kong", gun-firing followed by songs by the Naga choir. (ANI)