[dropcap]N[/dropcap]aga National Council (NNC) president Adinno Phizo’s comment “Nagas to progress and exist as a distinct people in this fast changing world” has volumes to speak. She said this is to “ensure the survival of our race” which according to her is the most important “agenda” of the Nagas. She was speaking at the Jakhama Public Ground addressing the Angami Regional Council of the NNC on November 5.
Adinno Phizo has been maintaining a low profile after she returned to Nagaland in April end last year from England. She has also been avoiding the media. Due to these reasons, her presence in the state was not felt by the people. One was not sure whether she was in the State then. There have been speculations about her health condition too. However, the Jakhama occasion has cleared the debris of doubts and speculations from the public mind.She came in full traditional attire and spoke about the Nagas and their survival. Though the NNC president did not elaborate much about the theme of her speech it is crystal clear that Adinno Phizo stressed the need for the “progress” of the Naga people in this fast “changing” world without diluting the identity of the Nagas. It is also clear she meant to say that in this globalised world the position of the Nagas as distinct people is under threat. The NNC leader urged the Nagas to fight against the threat on the survival of the Naga race. This meaning becomes vivid when she said, “To ensure the survival of our race.”
Now, one can elaborate the speech of the NNC supremo in this way. Adinno Phizo has indicated that the static worldview of the Nagas is not going to work in this fast moving world. She advocated that Nagas too should change with time but sans diluting the pristine Naga identity. Adinno also reminded the Nagas about their struggle to protect their identity in this modern and globalised world. She also reminded the people that the main objective (agenda as she used) of the Nagas is to ‘ensure’ that ‘our race’ is survived. The workable strategy has been to change with time (progress as she used) but the Nagas should remain as the Nagas, as indicated in her speech.
