By NM Jamir (EMN)
The Legend, illustrious statesman and a staunch architect of the State of Nagaland in the Union of India, Dr.Lokshree S.C. Jamir was born at Ungma village on 17th October,1931 to the Late Senayangba and Late Takatula.
The Legend, out of all odds became the blue-eyed boy of the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and was assigned with the important parliamentary works of Sovereign, Democratic, Secular and Republic of India at the young age of early 30’s.
After obtaining B.A., LL.B degree from the University of Allahabad, Dr S.C Jamir took keen and pivotal initiatives in ‘Naga Political Movement’ and became the Joint Secretary of Naga Peoples Convention (NPC in short).During those days of ‘Naga Political Movement’ there were extreme violence in the entire Naga inhabited areas leading to killings, arson, inhuman torture, rapes, burning down of houses and granaries and grouping of villages due to massive operation by Indian military forces. The situation was horrific and life was a nightmare as told by the elders and also written in the books authored by some learned personalities. It was with the active intervention of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and with the able leadership of the leaders of NPC, the Peace Mission was initiated with the target to stop violence in Naga areas and resultantly in the Third session of the Naga Peoples Convention held at Mokokchung from 22nd to 26 October, 1959 , the landmark in Naga history Sixteen points was resolved after full deliberation of the various recommendations of Sub-Committee to form the basis of negotiation with the Government of India for Naga Political Settlement. The Signatories of the draft were Late Dr. Imkongliba Ao, President, NPC, Late Vizol, Vice President, NPC, Late Jasokie ,Secretary, NPC and ChubatoshiJamir (S.C. Jamir ), Joint Secretary, NPC. The Sixteen Points was placed before the Prime Minister of India on 26thJuly, 1960 by the delegation of the NPC lead by Dr. ImkonglibaAo with Mr. JasokieAngami , Secretary NPC, Mr. ChubatoshiJamir (S.C. jamir), Joint Secretary, NPC, Mr R.C. ChitenJamir (Ao Representative), Mr. KhelosheSema (Sema Representative), Mr. EtsorhmoLotha (Lotha Representative), Mr. SentsiRegma (Regma Representative), Mr. LakhimongYimchunger (Yimchunger Representative), Mr. Pauling Phom (Phom Representative), MrLitingseSangtam (Sangtam Representative), Mr. Pudene Demo (Chakhesang Representative), Mr. Imtichuba Chang (Chang Representative), MrThanwangKonyak (Konyak Representative), Mr, ThinuowholieLiegiseZeliang (Zeliang-KukiRepresntative), Mr. T.N. Angami (Angami Representative), Mr. SashimerenAier, Consultant, Mr. H.Zopianga, Consultant, Mr. GoyiepraKenye,Consultant and P. ShiluAo,Consultant.
After thorough discussions on the Sixteen Points with the Govt. of India placed by the aforesaid delegation of NPC, the Agreement was finally signed paving the way for creation of Nagaland as 16th state in the Sovereign, Democratic, Secular Republic of India on 1st December, 1963. It was on the preference made by the delegation the newly created State was named as Nagaland. Some of the other hardcore points discussed between the delegation and Govt. of India were; “that the Govt. of India will be no objection to the affairs concerning Nagaland being dealt by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Govt. of India.” It was agreed that “No Act or law passed by the union Parliament would operate in Nagaland unless the Naga Legislative Assembly accepted it by a majority vote.” On the question of resources, the Govt. of India explained to the delegation that “there is no intention to disturb the ownership of the underground resources; Parliament must retain the power to regulate and develop such resources in accordance with entries 53 and 54 of List I-Union List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.” It was agreed that “To Supplement the revenues of Nagaland, there will be need for the Govt. of India to payout of the Consolidated Fund of India; (i) a lump-sum each year for the development programme and (ii) a grant-in-aid towards the cost of administration.” As regard to the Naga inhabited area “the delegation expressed the view that other Naga inhabiting contiguous areas should be enabled to join the new State to which the Govt. of India pointed out that Article 3 and 4 of the Constitution provided for increasing the area of the state, but it was not possible for the Govt. of India to make any commitment in this regard at this stage”.
In view of this factual matrix, Dr. S.C. Jamir along with the NPC delegation of his contemporary are the staunch architects of the present State of Nagaland within the Union of India.
Dr. S.C. Jamir is the great-grandson of Late Jongshinokdang, the village chief of Ungma village during Riongsanger Pusu who endeavoured logistic support to Dr. E.W Clark, an American Baptist missionary to spread the message of Jesus Christ in Ungma village though he was not converted to Christianity. As a child, Dr. Jamir made a humble schooling at village school and he passed matriculation in second division from the Government High School, Mokokchung (now named as Mayangnokcha Higher Secondary School) in the year 1952 and his roll number was 33.
Dr. S. C. Jamir has held various important Constitutional posts in the Union of India and in the State of Nagaland from 1960 onwards. He was the first Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland 1961-70 during which he was Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of External Affairs, Union Deputy Minister of Railways, Union Deputy Minister of Labour& Rehabilitation, Union Deputy Minister of Community Development & Co-operation, Food & Agriculture. Till date he is the only Parliamentarian from the State of Nagaland to serve as Minister in the Union Council of Ministers. He was first elected to the 2nd Nagaland Legislative Assembly from Mongoya A/C in the year 1971 and re-elected to the 3rd Nagaland Legislative Assembly from Aonglenden A/C in the year 1974 and was appointed as Minister, Finance, Revenue & Border Affairs. Again re-elected in the year 1977 to the 4th Nagaland Legislative Assembly from Aonglenden A/C and appointed as Deputy Chief Minister and became first time as Chief Minister of Nagaland in the month of April, 1980 and resigned in the month of June, 1980 with change of ministry and served as Leader of the Opposition in the 4thNagaland Legislative Assembly from 1980-82. He was again elected to the 5th Legislative Assembly from Aonglenden A/C and when the first Congress (I) Government was formed in Nagaland, he was appointed as Chief Minister on 17.11.1982 and resigned as Chief Minister in the month of October, 1986.Dr. S.C. Jamir also served as Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland for a stint period in the year 1987.He was again elected to the 7th Nagaland Legislative Assembly from Miokokchung Town A/C in the year 1989 and appointed as Chief Minister and again got elected to the 8th Nagaland Legislative Assembly from the same Constituency in the year 1993 and appointed as Chief Minister. Dr. Jamir was again elected to the 9th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in the year 1998 from Aonglenden A/C and was appointed as Chief Minister and served till Feburary, 2003.He was again elected to the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in the year 2003 from Aonglenden A/C and was Member of Legislative Assembly till he was appointed as Governor of Goa in the year 2004. In his State political history, Dr. Jamir was elected two times from the UDF (United Democratic Front, now NPF) ticket and six times from the Indian National Congress ticket.
Dr.S.C.Jamir, was Governor of Goa from 17th July 2004 to 21st July,2008, Governor of Gujarat from 24th July 2009 to 26th November, 2009, Governor of Maharastra from 19th July, 2008 to 21st January,2010. Thereafter, he was appointed as Governor of Odisha on 9th March, 2013 and continuing till date.
Dr. S. C. Jamir is also honoured with Lok Shree Award, Hind Rattan Award, Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Award, Indira Smriti Puraskar Award, Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award, Arch of Asia Award, National citizens Award, Rastriya Ekta Puraskar. He is also an author of the Books title ‘Reminiscences of correspondence with A.Z. Phizo’ and ‘Nagaland; Star of the East- A framework for transforming Nagaland’. Let us hope and pray that the abundant achievements of the legendary Dr. S.C. Jamir be set as an inspiring example for the younger generations in positive perspective.
