‘The youth movement should become the people’s movement’
Dimapur, October 8 : Nagas emphasise too much on freedom not realising that freedom is not free but comes with a law and the student organisations, instead of indulging in politics, should come together to discuss and pressure the government to implement various educational policies and fight for educational rights. This was conveyed by Neiphiu Rio, Lok Sabha MP and former Chief Minister, at the Yimchungrü Students Union Dimapur (YSUD) Silver jubilee celebration at Yimchungrü Baptist Church Dimapur on Saturday.
Oberving that the Naga society is wasting time quarrelling and fighting for too long, Rio stated that fighting has become part of Naga culture. Therefore, he impressed upon the youth to encourage peace and collectively decide for good things.He noted that the Naga society is so divided that the more they are told to unite the more the fight escalates.
Drawing attention to the historic August 3, 2015 framework agreement between the Government of India and a Naga political group, Rio remarked “the Nagas are silent and confused over the framework agreement, whether to accept, reject or fight again’. However, he reminded the congregation that since the Government of India has recognised the unique Naga tradition and culture, we should also be practical and accept what is available instead of missing the opportunity that may sink us further down and only leave room for our defeat.
“Naga society is more like an individual[istic] community because every Naga community talks as an individual community and not as a common Naga society, instilling individualism and tribalism which will not allow us to progress,” said the MP.
Calling on the Nagas to remove pride, he exhorted that a civilised society should emphasise on ‘what is right’ and not ‘who is right’.
Emphasising on Northeast India and Nagaland’s rich untapped resources, Rio stated that the political issue is the reason that the northeast remains dormant which is also the cause for non-availability of resources and revenue. “The money that we receive from the Central government on rent are not utilised judiciously,” he added.
To all these problems, Rio expressed that they can be solved only when we unite and added that the ‘youth movement should become the people’s movement’. Towards this, the Yimchungrü community should contribute as a strong pillar of society, he further stressed.
