Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 4 (EMN): Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) launched its 75th year anniversary celebration (1947-2022) with the call for oneness among the Nagas. The event was marked with plantation drive coinciding with the ‘World Environment Day’ on Saturday.
Addressing the programmes, Neiba Kronu, NSF former president and minister of Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue, Parliamentary Affairs, recalled how the 50th year celebration was held under difficult circumstances. To substantiate his claim, Kronu reminded how the federation has represented the sentiment of the people with no organisations except the Naga Hoho and how the latter came into being to talk about the Naga issues.
Stating that the federation has done much for the Naga people, be it the Naga political issue, he lamented that things could not be resolved till now. Making a comparison with other countries, he called upon the Nagas to improve the economy.
Stating that the Nagas are blessed with favourable climatic conditions by receiving about 2500 mm of rainfall annually to excel in agricultural production, Kronu stressed on the importance of good power supply and good road connectivity. In this regard, he has called for oneness among the Nagas for all round development.
K Temjen Jamir, convenor of planning committee, highlighted how the NSF came into being and kept the flame of the federation alive amidst all trials. He advocated for oneness among the Nagas at this juncture.
“We have agreements with others but we are unable to agree with each other - to have a common approach towards Naga political settlement,’ K Temjen said. Stating that the spirit of oneness was missing, he stated that it was time to revive the feeling of oneness to overcome all ill feelings. While reminding that NSF was founded on the Naga people’s aspiration to live together as one people, Temjen urged to live as one people irrespective of geographical locations.
“Notwithstanding the present divisions and differences prevailing in Naga society, if we have any reason to celebrate today, then it is still the feeling of oneness as Naga people. No Naga, be it from any geographical direction or be it from any group or party, disowns his or her origin and blood line as Naga, rather all are proud to be Naga,” Temjen said.
As the convenor of the NSF planning committee, Temjen urged all the concerned to engage in peacemaking to resume its noble journey of reconciliation. He further called upon every Naga to reconcile first before they reconcile with others in the process of peace making.
NSF president, Keghwayhun Tep, highlighted the significance of the day and shared the genesis of how the federation came into being under the leadership of the first chairman, Z Ahu. He also made an ardent call to all the Nagas to ease the differences and come together to solve the common issues.
Tep also led the participants to pay homage to all the NSF leaders by observing a minute of silence.
Later, Kronu lit the NSF Jubilee torch and led the tree plantation drive in the presence of senior NSF leaders including minister Tongpang Ozukum, and MLA Vikheho Swu at the Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima.
A special prayer for NSF 75th years celebration was also offered by the representative from Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (KBPF), while the programme was chaired by Atokiho Sumi, vice president, and concluding remark was delivered by NSF general secretary, Siipuni Ng Philo.