Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 29 (EMN): Paying rich tributes to the historic legacy laid down by the founders of the Naga Club in 1918, hundreds of people from all walks of life assembled at Jotsoma Baptist Church Centenary ground, to celebrate the centennial celebration of the Naga Club on the theme ‘Coalescence’ on Thursday.
Bringing the message of hope and goodwill to the Nagas, Mrinal Talukda from Assam Sahitya Sabha said in his solidarity message that even as the centenary celebration is a grand occasion to rejoice, it also offers an opportunity for all to revisit and critically reflect the hundred-year long journey—achievements as well as failures and shortcomings.
“Since the establishment of the Naga Club, this land witnessed and experienced many twists and turns of history characterised by both peace and violence,” said Talukda, adding that even after a century the journey is still continuing; and the peace negotiations with the government of India headed towards finding an amicable settlement to the political conflict.
He also stated that the Naga story has inspired many ethnic groups and communities of the Northeast to assert their rights for political identities through both violent and non-violent means.
While some of such conflicts have been resolved, and some at different stages of negotiations, he maintained, “we can only hope and pray for early settlements of the long-drawn conflicts…we can’t leave behind a legacy of distrust and animosity to our next generations. In the fast-changing world, the younger generation cannot live with the weights of the same burden of history.”
Despite being provoked to situations that create temporary tensions through misunderstandings and distrust, Talukdar stressed on the need to further strengthen the ‘fraternity and goodwill’ between the Nagas and Assamese. He earnestly stated that the Nagas and Assamese must live as neighbours for ages to come whatever might be the future political status of the Nagas.
‘Nagas are one’
Iterating that the Naga Club is for ‘Nagas are one’ through the true spirit of reconciliation, Krurovi Peseyie, the president of the club said “if there is anyone in the Naga family feeling isolated just for the simple reason that one was not a signatory of the Memorandum 1929, it is nothing less than misconception, because the memorandum says, ‘all the Naga regions’ and the founders of the Naga Club also said that ‘the Naga Club was for the Naga people as a whole’.”
Peseyie also reiterated that the club is neither for fame nor wealth but for the truth and goodwill towards all Nagas; and it is neither for factionalism nor tribalism; neither for power nor selfishness but for humbleness and benevolence.
Strongly asserting that the club should remain as a reliable body, which is not under the constitution of any other body, he also stated that no right-thinking Naga should feel isolated from the Naga Club; and at the same time no Naga should have even the slightest attitude of distorting the simple and truthful stories concerning the Naga Club. “The clean image of the club should not be inked (sic) by any with unclean hands and feet,” Peseyie stated.
He pointed out that Nagas today are in dire need of taking a journey of change—“from the mountain of pride to the plain of humility, valley of oppression and insult to the meadows of respect and joy, and we need to take a journey from the cliff of factionalism to the garden of peace and harmony.”
‘A gift from God’
Terming the Naga Memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929 as ‘a precious gift from God’ to the Naga people, Prasilie Pienyü, descendant of Rheichalie Pienyü who drafted the memorandum, marvelled at the ability of the Naga forefathers to state their stand clearly at that point of time.
He was of the view that the foundation of the club might have been more of a social club, which grew in time to be in a position to give pure, innocent and clear reply to the Simon Commission about the stand of the Nagas, which became the foundation of the Naga political stand.
“Today, if we the Nagas still choose to drift apart, it is but, our own choice,” said Pienyü and stated with confidence that “we have better days at hand for us all to seize the moment to stand united and resolutely manage our affairs in one accord.” He expressed hope that one day all the Nagas will come together without borders and form a common identity.
‘Under one nation’
Kewezü Mero, one of the surviving members of the erstwhile Naga Club, said it is the bounded duty of all Nagas to pay respect and homage to all the pioneers of Naga Club; and to uphold and honour the glorious deed of the forefathers who clearly envisioned the destiny of Naga people through the submission of the memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929.
Recalling how Nagas have travelled a long way and have stood the test of time, he said history bears witness and unwaveringly testifies the realities of Nagas’ bravery and passion to live free with dignity, pride and self-respect.
Mero also acknowledged the role and valuable contributions of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), especially in protecting the legacy and properties of the Naga Club till date, besides upholding the rights and aspirations of the Nagas over the years.
He also stated his desire that the new leadership of the club and the upcoming generation would continue to give their best to strengthen the unity of all Naga-inhabited areas, which fall under ‘excluded area’ and bring all the Nagas together under one nation and one God.
Lhouphrevilie Rino, the president of Western Angami Public Organisation (WAPO); N Changmi, the president of Tirap Changlang and Longding People’s Forum; and Nong Youngkuk, the president of Naga Council of Upper Assam, shared centennial greetings.
Citations and mementoes were presented to the descendants of the signatories of Naga Memorandum, and former office bearers of the club.
