Greetings to my beloved Naga brothers and sisters on this auspicious occasion. I give all Glory and Honour to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for his gracious love, mercy and sustenance of our people. He alone is our refuge and strength.
We recall the sacrifices of thousands of Naga patriots in our long struggle, who laid down their lives in defence of our homeland. We honour them today.
Friends and comrades, we recall the dawn of Naga nationalism, sacrifices, failures and achievements of the Naga people since the formation of Naga Club in 1918. To this day the aspirations of the Naga people to live with dignity and honour amongst nations remain a pivotal goal. The oppressors are mighty and strong but the political and historical right of a nation cannot be extinguished by sheer military might.
Today, as we commemorate the historic date of our struggle and establishment of a People’s Republic government representing a distinct race and nation called Nagas, we are glad to see that the spirit of unity and brotherhood among the various Naga NPGs have returned in our society and that has strengthened the Naga people’s core political values.
We are aware that the Naga movement has faced many destructive forces, within and outside, in the last eight decades. However, we have withstood with unbridled courage and strength because we know we are distinct and different with our God given right. We believe and fought as true nationalist. We will not give up.
Without compromising on the people’s political aspiration, a peaceful progressive Naga society has become a dire necessity for the younger generation. In a fast paced changing world, we must retain the core values of our freedom struggle while enabling our children to cohabit with the best minds in the best institutions.
I reiterate that the vision our forefathers envisioned was the best for us today and those of the future. We honour the well-thought-out landscape of our people’s journey ensured by our past leaders. Despite the self-motivated narratives among the national workers, the truth is out in the open for Nagas to clearly see who has misled the people in the last 25 years.
I appeal to all Naga tribal Hohos, the Church and all apex civil societies to crawl out of the cocoon of fear and sentimentalism because they induce abject silence on crucial moments of history. This syndrome has locked up many brilliant Naga minds. Wisdom comes from God and to many Nagas, clear reasoning on Naga issue is needed. In the last quarter century, through cumbersome narrative, many bright stars have fallen off the horizon. In doing so Naga society lost its intellectual output and vibrancy. NSCN is thankful to fearless Naga tribal Hoho leaders, village custodians and hereditary village chiefs, the church, mothers and student leaders, learned men and women for detaching incessant propaganda and sentimentalism, two very poor cousins of transparent Naga political blueprint, and embracing transparency and pragmatism. WC,NNPGs “Agreed Position” signed with GOI on 17th November 2017, has awaken and renewed the dormant patriotism in our land. We have demanded what is rightfully ours and GOI has accept the reality that we have the political and historical right. We believe and hope that Union of India and Nagaland will coexist and Nagas will experience enduring peace for our children, grandchildren and those after them. We will not lose our patriotism. We shall inculcate our children and hold onto the legacy of our Naga identity. Curse befall us should we lose our land and identity in the sea of unknown people.
GPRN/NSCN honouring the sanctity of this auspicious day, reaffirm once again that, an honourable and acceptable solution of the Indo-Naga conflict is paramount. The WC, NNPGs and GOI have concluded negotiations, the Naga tribes and all sections of people agreed that “Agreed Position” and subsequent “Status Paper” is a fair political document reflecting Naga people’s will and aspiration ensuring the core essence of Naga pioneer’s political goal. We will not allow it to be defiled by any motivated agenda. A peaceful coexistence and enduring relationship with Union of India in consonance with contemporary political realities would be ushered in. A time has come for practical thoughts and actions to debunk rhetorical insinuations and excuses.
GPRN/NSCN as a partner of Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC,NNPGs) urges every Naga citizen to contemplate and seek the benevolent blessing of the Almighty God for an early solution of the Naga political issue. Let us stand strong and united to fulfil the destiny entrusted to us by our brave and wise pioneers.
Happy Naga Republic Day!
Kuknalim.