Message from Naga National Council on Naga Day

With another New Year graciously granted, I bring greetings to one and all. I write this to express my profound gratitude to God Almighty and also appreciation for the efforts of FNR to organize such a gathering at this time of the year when our people’s minds are more open, fresh and receptive. What better time is there to call for “Healing, Forgiveness and Building of the Naga Future?”

Permit me first to ask a question to every Naga soul – Where would we be today had not our ancestors launched their first movement? The fate of all Nagas would have been doomed had our forefathers not raised their first voice of identity, freedom and self-determination at one point of history.

Ever since then, by the grace of God, everything required for a people’s common political journey was done in a timely, fairly and systematic manner, without any ill feeling towards other people or nation. We have inherited such a fine and beautiful legacy in our vintage history. This is all so amazing to our eyes today. The way our pioneers projected our case to the world was superb and of the highest  rank and order in a democracy. Talking about them tops of the joy we have in them and the hope out of them.

Surrounded by big nations with major world religions plus powerful ethnic people groups on all sides, our people could have been easily assimilated in no time. Yet something somehow preserved us safe and intact. People who brought the Good News (The Gospel) as well as benefits of modern life were destined for some other particular places and peoples. But circumstances inadvertently made them put their feet on our soil accidentally and unintentionally. Somehow, the twists and turns of events and history seemed to have worked out all in our favor. Inspite of so many different types of contacts and encounters, no power or government ever dominated or ruled over us, nor is there any record and written document or treaty of Nagas surrendering to anyone in the past. Such is our case.

We are grateful to the American Missionaries as well as agencies of the Great British Empire for all the benefits and good things they brought about in response to the Nagas assisting them in various manners and capacities to win both Great world Wars (WWI of 1914-18 WW II of 1939-1945). Still they owe us an answer for remaining silent over the Naga issue. To us it matters!

Our history needs no repetition. Everything was carried out in a peaceful, democratic and open manner on the basis of the facts of our history without any hatred towards anyone. All along our way we just wanted to be a people and a nation. To that we are all determined and committed. Following is a reminding list of some early important political milestones on the road of our national journey:

1. In 1918, Naga Club was formed.
2. In 1929, on 10^th January, Memorandum to Simon Commission was submitted.
3. In 1935, British Parliament Act, Nagas were kept as “Excluded Area”.
4. In 1946, Naga National Council (NNC) was formed.
5. In 1947, on 14^th August , Nagas declared Independence.
6. In 1951, on 16^th May, Naga Plebiscite carried out.
7. In 1952, India’s first General Election totally boycotted by Nagas.
8. In 1953, on 30^th March, in a meeting with two Prime Ministers (India and Burma) at Kohima, Nagas walked out.
9. In 1956, on 22^nd March, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) was formed etc.

All important historical events were carried out by NNC with the mandate of our people. While recognizing and appreciating the various contributions of our people at different times under different circumstances towards nation-building, I hope all our people will come together again one day for the final settlement under N.N.C. I believe Truth is supreme and Truth will win ultimately.

On this NAGA DAY of 10^th January 2018, I call upon today’s generation to reminisce about the significance of past events and not waste away our time and energy anymore by blaming others and making inventory of all the failures and shortcomings of the past, but learn bitter lessons out of them. All of us have contributed our shares of mistakes and wrongs that have wounded our struggle and our society. We must now inspire and help one another to do that which will be right for our future. Come to stand unitedly and move forward from here. In size and number, bigger nations may beat us, but in moral and spirit, we are second to none and we remain unbeatable and invincible. Together we can.

Kuknalim.

Gen (Retd) Thiniselie M. Keyho
President, NNC