THE man with a Naga Vision for sovereignty has been laid to rest just few days back in his Native home Village called Chishilimi, Zunheboto District of Nagaland. Yet a fresh memory of his leadership influence keeps ringing in the minds of many Naga Leaders and people. On the day his death body was brought to the land of the Nagas, throng of thousands gathered to receive him, and candle lights of sorrow were lighted in all Naga Inhabited areas. There was a phenomenal appearance of a rainbow over the Nagas’ sky ; the sign of God’s promise of protection shown upon the Nagas on that day.
The Nagas have been looking up to him for model and hope. But the hope turned shattered at his demise and disappearance from the Naga sky of nationalism. Nevertheless, not our will and wish but God’s willing that, he has to rest at the accomplishment of God’s assigned task for him. The Nagas at the moment could not but accept the fact and wait on the Lord of the Nations to let the rays of hope shine upon the Naga. The face of the dark remains on the Nagas but the dawn of hope will break upon us in God’s own time and appointment.
The Nagas respected his Excellency Isak Chishi Swu. Yaruiwo of the Naga Nation as the star leader upon whom the hope of Naga final settlement was rested. He was indeed our model leader who led the Naga people with undimmed confidence to the path he took to himself and the Naga people. He may be called as Naga Moses who led the Nagas thus far when the end of journey is about home.
To him, there is no tribal colour or ism but Naganess. He did not use or spell the term of Naga people hood by territorial differences. He stood for the entire Nagas. His integrity and uprightness in the cause has been a source of courage and hope for the Nagas. I recalled one of many incidences in Bangkok where a European came to greet us, I responded by shaking hand and said I am from India, Sir, Isak Chishi Swu corrected me to say ‘I come from Nagaland’. He was mindful of lifting up the Nation to world status. That incidence took me up to a height of realization and that was one of the finest lessons I learnt from our beloved Leader Isak Chishi Swu. Another remarkable event for me was when I was asked to lead the team to take our Leader Isak Chishi Swu to his Native Home to Chishilimi for a Christmas weekend, December 2012 by Chopper. We were embraced with heartiest welcome accorded by the Villagers to the Home coming of their man of hero after long years of absence from home on Naga National duty. He had spent most of his youthful life for the cause of the Nation. Such a welcoming joy was so thrilling and so jubilant that, the scene and the climate was so enrapturing. Joy of tears were shed at his home coming. I was made to think of the day when Nagas shall finally be led to experience Victory and settlement from all hard journeys of struggle through out and through the years of untold sufferings.
He had accomplished his role and assigned purpose that, the coming Naga generation may find hope and path to finish the unaccomplished task. His life-work would forever be recorded in the anal of the Naga National struggle.
