Representation for Upliftment and Implementation of Nagamese as Common Language Within Naga Inhabited Areas

In inviting reference to the above cited subject, we the undersigned leaders of Nagamese Common Language Department of NBCA would like to submit few lines of prayers for upliftment and implementation of Nagamese common language within the Naga inhabited areas for your kind consideration and prompt necessary action. That Sir, during the 8th NBCA Annual Conference at NBCA office compound Kuda Village, Dimapur on 30th November 2016, we the leaders of literature committee of NBCA would like to apprise you with few important suggestions before your kind authority for early implementation of the Nagamese common language. That Sir, no one can deny that the Nagamese language is the common language of Naga in Nagaland since the British-Indian Government and now the same language is widely spoken in all parts of Northeast as well as in Myanmar. India though a vast country with huge population having different distinct features have recognised Hindi and English as its official language and it is to be stated here that though illiterate Nagas who do not know the said two languages have high regards and respect for it and the Nagas do not have any objection for the said two language recognised as the official language for the Country (India). And in the like of Hindi and English there is nothing wrong if Nagamese is recognised as the official common language of the Nagas where the Naga villagers, their leaders, GBs, Village Chiefs and Ahngs and the people at grassroot level will warmly welcome the new development if uplifted and implemented the Nagamese common language successfully. Or for the Naga common language if the Naga National workers and their respective leaders bring out or introduced the Nagamese as common language for the Nagas, we are sure that all section of people shall warmly welcome it. Besides that, among many VIPs in Naga inhabited areas, Sir, you are one of the leader who have time and again expressed your concern for the upliftment of the Nagamese common language through publication and public speeches which are very important for the development of the language. It is also highly appreciated that hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri. Narendra Modi had taken keen interest in recognising and tapping the importance of Nagamese language to make it a common language for the Nagas within the countryside. And it is a fact that Nagamese language is the only language where all section of Naga societies including the neighboring state and country communicate with each other. Therefore, the NBCA literature committee took this opportunity to brief you that, during your tenure, you will surely lay the foundation of the Nagamese language to be recognised as the official and common language in all the Naga inhabited areas with the help of the powerful prime minister of India Shri. Narendra Modi within a reasonable period of time. That Sir, it may not be out of place to mention here that Nagamese language is very much essential for the Nagas as a whole and the Nagas have no other language to substitute it for common communication. That Sir, it is worth to be mentioned here that, most of our Naga preachers while preaching the Gospel to the non Christian around the Naga country the only common language for communication was Nagamese language which has developed as the easiest language for the whole section of Nagas to understand and communicate with one another. And as such, the same Nagamese language must be uplifted and implemented as Naga common language as soon as possible. That Sir, in view of the few facts and its circumstances mentioned above, we hereby suggest the following for the upliftment and implementation of Nagamese language as Naga common language:- 1. There shall be only one Nagamese Bible and Nagamese song book for the whole churches in Naga inhabited areas. 2. There shall be only one Nagamese Dictionary and Grammar book. 3. That proper linguistic, alphabet and vocabulary should be worked out fairly and systematically in a very simple manner. 4. There shall be only one Nagamese Churches Association in all Naga inhabited areas covering Myanmar. 5. The Nagamese common language department should be set up separately and look after by Education Department with a separate branch of Nagamese language to assist it for the successful implementation as Naga common language. 6. In order to implement effectively and to avoid any confusion, all the existing books written and printed in Nagamese language including the Bible and song books should be abolished/set aside and bring out a common language books based on proper and uniform structures of Nagamese language. However the Nagamese Dictionary and Grammar, Nagamese Hymnal song book, Nagamese church manual, books, etc which have been already released by NBCA, NCRC, UBCA NE-I etc shall be referred. 7. A separate subject on Nagamese should be introduced in school and college level in Nagaland. 8. A state level committee should be formed with intellectuals and elders representing all Naga major tribes for consultation and successful implementation of Nagamese as common language. In view of the above mentioned points, we the undersigned, pray you to kindly look into the facts mentioned above and thereafter consider the case as genuine one and also on top priority basis and do the needful as required by the organisation as well as the whole Nagas.

N Mhonbemo Patton Convener, NRCA Literature Committee; Rev R Meren President & Acting Executing Secretary NBCA; Shri T L Angami Founder & Sr Advisor GB (Village Chiefs) Federation of Nagaland Member, Literature Committee; Dr Hitoca Achumi Member, Literature of Committee; Shri Tako Wati Member, Literature Committee; Rev Moses Murry Member, Literature Committee; Shri J S Rengma Member, Literature Committee; Dr Anto Member, Literature Committee; Miss Enokali Secretary, Christian Education NBCA