FGN Kedahge Viyalie Metha invokes spirit of oneness

THENYIZUMI — Gen. (Retd.) Viyalie Metha, Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), on Thursday stated that Nagas must henceforth move forward by forging a unity of national principle, integrity, values, and character. This unity, he said, should be as strong as iron and steel, forged in the fiercest heat and hammered by the heaviest blows.

Addressing the 79th Nagaland Independence Day celebration at Thenyizumi village, Metha extended greetings and acknowledged Thenyizumi village for hosting the significant event.

“Three score and eighteen years ago, on this day, the 14th of August in 1947, we declared our Independence as colonialism was drawing to a close. By this very declaration, we became a sovereign nation to live and to decide our own future,” Metha said.

He stated that as Nagas went ahead to mind their own business as a sovereign nation, the neighbouring country, India, invaded their country with her armed might in 1955 and continues her illegal occupation till date. In spite of this, he asserted that Nagas continue to survive and exist as a nation.

However, he maintained that mere survival and existence don’t promise a vibrant future.

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“The younger generation is the future of our nation, and it is the duty of every Naga to begin creating a ground and atmosphere for our nation to have a thriving and vibrant future,” he said.

He also highlighted that to create such a future as a sovereign nation, the constitutional rights and duties are of utmost importance as citizens, and to ensure the rights and duties of each citizen, constitutional order must be implemented. He added that this is the very character of a sovereign nation that under such constitutional order its citizens are secure and their freedom as individuals is guaranteed.

In this regard, he stated that the Naga people, as a nation, must move towards their own future as enshrined in the Yehzabo.

Asserting that the Naga people have come thus far as a nation, in spite of all hurdles and sufferings, and that many a brave soldier and civilian, both men and women, have given their lives in the nation's defence, he also paid tributes to their supreme sacrifice and honoured them on the occasion.

He stated that the Naga situation, as a nation defending itself against occupation, is not an easy one, but the spirit of patriotism borne of God-given sense of nationhood should not be undermined by petty differences of opinions. He added that the legitimacy and legal foundation of sovereignty as a nation lies in the historical continuity of the mandated Naga National Council and the Federal Government of Nagaland.

The Kedahge also mentioned that the Nagas’ declaration of Independence is not without ratification or the people's mandate, as it was ratified by the Naga voluntary Plebiscite of 1951, in which 99.9% wished to remain independent as they had been all along.

He also stated that, to keep alive the historic milestone, this year on May 16, 2025, the 75th Naga voluntary Plebiscite Day was celebrated and organised by the Naga Plebiscite Commission. He acknowledged the chairman of the commission and his colleagues for their tireless effort in the grand and successful conduct of the celebration of the 75th Naga Plebiscite Day.

Earlier, Metha unfurled the Naga National Flag and took the salute. He also presented awards to the army and other authorities.

The programme began with an invocation prayer by Rev. Dr. Chekrovei Cho-o, Executive Secretary, Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC). Medothi Rhakho, Village Council Chairman, Thenyizumi village, delivered the welcome address.

Vote of thanks was tendered by Kamucho Chȕzho, Midan Peyu, Chakhesang Region, FGN, and Thepuzhoyi Theyo, Pastor, Thenyizu Baptist Church, led the closing prayer.