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Dimapur, Jan. 25 (EMN): Nagaland Governor RN Ravi said in his message to the people of the state on the eve of India’s 71st Republic Day on January 26, that “two evils” -- guns and corruption – have taken unacceptable toll on the people and assured to eliminate it to build a “new Nagaland”.
“When the rest of the country; even our neighbours in the North East are marching ahead to greater prosperity, we, in Nagaland, are craving for basic needs like motorable roads, functioning basic health centres, schools with qualified teachers. Our development projects, infrastructure projects, health and education projects, livelihood projects have suffered enormously by the twin evils,” read the message from Raj Bhavan.
Ravi said it’s a matter of shame when a pregnant mother and her unborn baby die while travelling over 100 km on a road-less road to access basic medical assistance; and conscience jolted when young people turn to drugs for want of education and employment opportunities.
“The political economy of guns and corruption is holding the present as well as future of our people to ransom. It is a vice-like grip, a heinous crime against our people. It is unacceptable. The unholy alliance of the two has to be broken; it shall be broken and the two shall be eliminated. It is essential for building the New Nagaland,” he said.
The governor also reminded “some people”, who try to undermine the historical reality of the Nagaland state and its unique Constitutional status by using guns, that violence has never succeeded and shall never succeed, and the people are supreme in democratic India. “We resolve our differences through peaceful dialogue, not under the shadow of guns. I remind those with guns that any attempt to subdue the people with fear is doomed to fail and bound to recoil. I urge them to read the bold writings on the wall – and reformat themselves in tune with the reality before it is too late,” he added.
Stating that the government of Nagaland is committed to building a “New Nagaland”, he stressed on moving forward by using modern technologies. He also urged people from all walks of life to join hands for the success of this “sacred” mission -- “New Nagaland”.
Meanwhile, the government of Nagaland has announced the list of people selected for the award of Governor’s Gold Medal on the occasion of Republic Day. A statement from the home department has informed that the winners will be awarded the medals along with certificates in the subsequent Independence Day function.
List of people selected for Governor’s Gold Medal
Yambemo Humtsoe, NPS, SDPO (N), Kohima
K Thavaseelan, IAS, Dy. Commissioner, Mon
Thejavizo Nakhro, NCS, EAC, Chümoukedima
Vilalie Khamo, Contractor
Lemsachenlok Society, Longleng (NGO)
North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA), Nagaland (NGO).
My dear Brothers and Sisters of Nagaland,
On the 71st Republic Day of our great Nation, I extend my warmest greetings to you all and to the rest of my countrymen. On this day we remember with utmost gratitude our founding fathers whose sacrifices, whose blood and sweat gave us our Republic. On this day, we pay our gratitude to those who, with their labour, capital and enterprise build this Republic. We also remember with utmost regard members of our armed forces and the police for defending the integrity of our country and ensuring security of our people. On this day, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the fundamental values of our Constitution – Democracy, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Secularism and Justice for all.
Nagaland, as the 16th State of the Indian Union came into being in 1963 through a peaceful political process between the people of Nagaland and the Govt. of India. We pay our deepest homage and tribute to the leaders of the Naga Peoples’ Convention, who, under the most trying circumstances, displayed their extraordinary courage, political vision and strategic foresight and secured for the people, the Nagaland State with Special Status sanctified under Article 371-A of the Constitution of India. It recognises the Uniqueness of its people and safeguards their identity and interests in the most befitting manner. This auspicious Day is also an occasion for we, the people of Nagaland, to celebrate our Uniqueness in the rising Republic of India.
Some people, using guns, have tried to undermine the historical reality of the Nagaland State and its unique Constitutional status. On this Day, I remind them that violence has never succeeded and shall never succeed. Power through the barrel of gun is a proven failed ideology. In a democratic India the people are supreme. We resolve our differences through peaceful dialogue, not under the shadow of guns. I remind those with guns that any attempt to subdue the people with fear is doomed to fail and bound to recoil. I urge them to read the bold writings on the wall – and reformat themselves in tune with the reality before it is too late.
Guns and corruption, the two evils, have taken unacceptable toll on our people. When the rest of the country; even our neighbours in the North East are marching ahead to greater prosperity, we, in Nagaland, are craving for basic needs like motorable roads, functioning basic health centres, schools with qualified teachers. Our development projects, infrastructure projects, health and education projects, livelihood projects have suffered enormously by the twin evils.
When a mother in the throes of labour pain has to travel over 100 kms on a road-less road to access the basic medical assistance and the mother and baby die on road, the tragedy hits us with shock and shame. When for want of useful education and employment opportunities a young man turns to drugs, it jolts our conscience and robs our sleep.
The political economy of guns and corruption is holding the present as well as future of our people to ransom. It is a vice-like grip, a heinous crime against our people. It is unacceptable. The unholy alliance of the two has to be broken; it shall be broken and the two shall be eliminated. It is essential for building the New Nagaland.
The New Nagaland has to be capable of successfully meeting the challenges of modern world. Nagas are legendary warriors. They have successfully met the challenges of the past. However, in an inter-connected world challenges are different. Modern warriors are technologically powerful. More than physical strength and courage, today victory and success are determined by how advanced people are in terms of modern technologies. The modern world respects Knowledge and Technology Warriors more than Physical Warriors. I imagine the New Nagaland to host Technology Hornbill showcasing our innovations and entrepreneurship in Science & Technology along with our Cultural Hornbill. We have the right kind of human resource to be a hub of Science and Technology, which can compete with IT hubs of Bangalore, Hyderabad, Gurgaon and Noida.
Friends, we all know that Nagaland is rich in human and natural resources. In this regard I wish to share with you a recent happy experience. I recently launched the Governor’s Young Fellowship Programme, to create a Research Cell in my office, where the best young minds of the country would do deep-dive researches on economic and development problems facing our State and help the Govt. in formulating informed policies. Over one-thousand bright young scholars from across the country - Chennai to Chandigarh, Kashmir to Kohima – responded to the offer. Selecting only a few best among them was very difficult. I constituted a selection committee comprising world renowned experts. The result is fantastically revealing! Among the top five selected by the expert committee, four are from Nagaland! One more pleasant news - of the top four, three are our daughters! It validates our assertion that our daughters are the brightest and our human resource is second to none. The need is to harness them constructively.
The Govt. of Nagaland is committed to building a new Nagaland of our dreams, a Nagaland which will be in the front-rank of the states of the Indian Union.
Building a network of good roads is among our top priorities. We should remember that a road network is like the circulatory system in our body. A good circulatory system is essential for a healthy body. Similarly, a network of good roads in the State is essential for its healthy growth.
In order to ensure that our road projects do not suffer due to rampant extortions by gangs using guns, the State Government has constituted a Highway Construction Protection Force in Nagaland Police. Also a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted for focussed and determined investigation of extortion cases to bring the culprits to book.
Our priorities also include creating good health infrastructures, education infrastructures, livelihood projects, IT networks and creating a conducive eco-system for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Friends, we all know that Nagaland is a village centric State. Village Councils are responsible grass-root Units of governance. Public utility services and institutions in Nagaland have been communitised for efficient delivery of public services. The Village Councils have a very important role in building the New Nagaland. The status of our village roads, village schools and village health centres reflect the integrity and efficiency of our Village Councils. Some are doing very well, others need to catch up. I urge upon them to take their responsibility with utmost seriousness.
Friends, transparency, accountability and fair play are the tripod of good governance. The Govt. of Nagaland is seriously working on setting up a statutory body for selection of non-Gazetted Staff. For recruitment of Gazetted Staff, we have the Nagaland Civil Services Commission. The Staff Selection Commission for non-Gazetted staff will do away with the current system of ad-hoc appointments and will ensure fair play and justice in government recruitment system.
In order to strengthen people’s trust in the Rule of Law, it is important that those who are on the wrong side of law do not get away without facing the consequences and justice is meted out to them. Besides police and prosecution, the role of judiciary especially the lower judiciary is crucial in this regard. People of the country, including our State, look upon our Courts for justice with enormous trust. I am confident that our judiciary will continue to enjoy the unwavering trust and confidence of our people.
There is growing global awareness on environment protection. Our villages have been traditionally environment conscious. Symbiotic relation with environment and respect for nature is inherent in our traditional ways of life. However, of late, need is felt to reinforce this consciousness. The Government has constituted Governor’s Award for excellence in Environment protection and preservation to be awarded on the Republic Day. It should encourage healthy competition and enhanced awareness for environment protection.
Drug addiction among our youth are emerging as an area of serious concern. It is destroying our precious human resource. Drug addiction kills the will of an individual to be a productive and responsible member of family and society. It turns our most precious asset into the most dangerous liability. In order to create awareness and encourage the good Samaritans helping the society against this evil, government has constituted Governor’s Award for Excellence in mitigating and eradicating social ills.
Both the Awards - For excellence in Environment protection and preservation, and for excellence in mitigating and eradicating social ills, will begin this Republic Day.
In our Mission to build the New Nagaland, I call upon our parents, Teachers, Doctors, Engineers, the Tribal leaders, grass root organizations, the Church and our youth to lend your heads and shoulders. This sacred mission is bound to succeed. God is with us!
Kuknalim! Jai Hind!