Our Reporter
Dimapur, Feb. 26 (EMN): Former Chief Minister of Nagaland, SC Jamir on Saturday said that Nagas are in a state of confusion and ‘sleep mode’ with no peace of mind and filled with tension and fear.
Jamir, who also had served as the governor of Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Odisha, said this at the golden jubilee celebration of Ongpangkong Senso Telongjem Dimapur (OSTD) held at Senden Riju, Purana Bazaar in Dimapur.
Naga people are living in denial to accept the truth and appreciate what is good, he said, while urging the gathering to wake up and live a life of truth and move forward.
He said that the weakest Nagas keep on talking about the past, and no one talks about what has to be done in the present for the future outcome.
‘Are you going to live in the past or live in the present and think for the future?’ he asked.
He stated that they have to abandon the negative approach towards each other and choose the right path. He said that people in other states compete and work hard to move forward in life while it’s ‘all about talk’ in Nagaland.
Jamir said that Nagaland will not be the same 10-15 years from now, as the Indian government has stopped looking towards the West and started looking towards South-East Asian countries for its future economy.
‘This 21st century, it will be Asian civilisation while India, China and Japan will be the leading force. Keeping this vision in mind, the Indian government’s Act East Policy will gather people from all over the Southeast Asian countries like a floodgate through the Northeast. While this economic force from Southeast Asian countries crosses the region, it (Nagaland) will not be able to handle the economic force,’ Jamir opined.
Stating that the Northeast region will become a common market, he said Nagaland must be ready, well prepared and be able to stand side by side with the people from outside the country so that ‘Nagas will not live as second class citizens in their own land’.
Jamir said that for brighter tomorrow, the top priority must be ‘honesty and unity; amend mistakes being a Christian state and work for the betterment of Nagaland state.
Rev. Dr. L Kari Longchar spoke on the jubilee theme ‘Ora Penzü’. Presidents of Ongpangkong Mungdang, Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur and Ongpangkong Senso Telongjem Chumoukedima also spoke at the event.