[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a few days, Nagaland will celebrate its 50th anniversary of statehood. Such an occasion will but come once in a lifetime. Other milestones to follow will be celebrations like the Diamond, Platinum and Centenary etc…
What is of relevance as of now is what we as a people have achieved so far. Surely it has not been very easy considering that Nagas have been yearning for Independence meaning political sovereignty as a nation. Side by side with ongoing development as a fledgling State, we have had to deal with the issue of fulfillment of our political aspirations for which innumerable lives had been sacrificed.
In the mean time life has got to continue with the cards dealt to us.Nagaland became a full-fledged State on December 1, 1963. The roots of Naga quest for sovereignty began when leaders conveyed to the Simon Commission in 1929 that Nagas had never been part of India.
The first agreement between the Government of India and the then Naga National Council was signed on the eve of the Independence of India on June 26, 1947. The 9- Point Agreement, was signed by the first Indian Governor of Assam Sir Akbar Hydari in Kohima on behalf of the Government of India.
But this agreement finally never saw the light of day.
Subsequently, Naga’s declared their Independence on August 14th, 1947, one day before India declared hers. The mid-1950’s saw much violence, including the call for Non-Cooperation in 1950 by AZ Phizo, the then President of the Naga National Council. This was followed by the Plebiscite of May 16th 1951 to which it is claimed that 99.9 per cent of the Nagas supported the option of Indpendence.
The general view was that India had invaded Naga territory in 1956 and later the security forces were armed with the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act of 1958. The terror and misery, and bloodshed that followed will forever be a stain on the history of a people.
In the given situation of relentless pursuit by the Indian Army, eventually, some Naga leaders decided to negotiate with GoI and the 16-Point Agreement based on Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution. Article 371(A) laid the foundation of Nagaland’s statehood—much to the displeasure of the Naga National Council and the then Federal Naga Government and Army.
In fact, when then Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru announced the formation of a new State to be called Nagaland in Parliament, a number of MPs questioned as to why the proposed State should not be called Nagasthan or even Naga Desh. So much so, that in exasperation, Nehru declared to the effect that “If the Thais can have their Thailand, let the Nagas have their Nagaland!”
Be that as it may, then President of India, the philosopher Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan came to Kohima and inaugurated our statehood on Decmber 1, 1963. He gave assurance that now the highest posts in the Government, civil services and defence were available for the Nagas if they strive for it.
Just before statehood, an Interim Body was formed as a precursor to Nagaland’s Legislative Assembly. The surviving Members of this body whose sacrifice and risks have not received the attention it deserved are being remembered on the state’s 50th year.
Nagaland has undergone the vicissitudes of a developing State on practically all fronts and differences still linger within us. However, development has been going on albeit in leaps and bounds. In a deeper sense, Statehood has provided much respite and our people are gradually forging ahead in all sectors. We still have a long way to go but despite so many drawbacks, the essential Naga spirit of individuality and other laudable qualities inherited from our ancestors are still prevalent amongst us.
It is up to us, each and every citizen, to contribute one’s mite as much as one can as we march ahead in this second decade of the second millennium. Let us not leave everything to our social, religious and political leaders to solve all our problems. Rather, we have to guide them as to how they must guide us accordingly.
This Golden Jubilee also coincides with the first day of the Hornbill Festival which has been extended from the usual week to ten days. A few lakhs of visitors domestic as well as foreign are expected to honour us with their presence. The festival will include such extravaganzas like International Rock Contest, the Literature Fest , test and tastes of multi tribal cuisines and what is more, for the first time the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, will inaugurate the occasion.
This is a special opportunity to let the world see what we are capable of, what potential we have, and the uniqueness of our cultural heritage since we are now on the world map of not only struggles for fulfillment of our long-standing political aspirations but new frontiers of tourism as well.
It is just as well and fitting that our Golden Jubilee of statehood and Hornbill Festival herald the beginning of our festive season. For many tribes it will be harvest time, Christmas is also round the corner with the New Year just a week behind plus weddings, wrestling et al.
So, let us rededicate ourselves to the goals that we strive for in all respects so that we still ensure a much brighter tomorrow for our future generations.
An extract of the speech of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the Philosopher President, in Kohima on Dec 1, 1963:
“May I also express the hope that, now that the wishes of the Nagas have been fully met, normal conditions will rapidly return to the State, and those who are still unreconciled will come forward to participate in the development of Nagaland. The highest position in the country is open to every Naga: in the Parliament, in the Central Cabinet and in the various services, military and civil.
“Understanding and friendship help to build a society where hatred and violence tend to disrupt it. Let us avoid the latter and adopt the former. On this auspicious day I make an appeal to all the Naga people: let all past rancour and misunderstanding be forgotten and let a new chapter of progress, prosperity and goodwill be written on the page which opens today. I once again say that a bright future awaits the brave people of Nagaland”.
