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Dr. Aküm Longchari (centre) with publisher Dr. Lanusangla Tzudir and Dr Xonzoi (Sanjay) Barbora at the launching of the book on November 14 at Elim Hall DABA, Dimapur.[/caption]
Dimapur, November 14: ‘Self Determination-A resource for just peace,’ a book authored by Dr. Aküm Longchari, editor of Morung Express, was launched on November 14 by Dr. Xonzoi (Sanjay) Barbora, Dean of School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati, along with Dr Lanusangla Tzudir, chief editor and publisher of Heritage Publishing House.
In the words of the author, the book is an encounter of people’s perspective and not of Naga political groups or the government. Rendering a prelude to his book, Longchari said ‘Self Determination’ was not a source of conflict on peace and how we determine it. Clearing the notion on the title of his book, he said the book was not about Nagas but on Self Determination for peace and how people understand peace.
“Self determination is a basic human need, a source of all human rights that comes from self liberation,” he said adding it includes imagination that comes from encounter with people. He hoped the book would provoke to ask questions out of the box.
He pointed out ‘peace cannot be pursued from a dominant culture’ and remarked it has to be ‘just peace’ and through exchange of language of self determination which would continue to be relevant in the search for humanisation.
The author shared ‘encounters with people shaped him to be who he is today’ including the book – which he underlined as ‘our book’ that represents issues and challenges. He expressed optimism that the book would push and challenge people in the peace community.
Dr. Xonzoi (Sanjay) Barbora described ‘Self Determination’ as a concern that goes throughout the book which presents a meaning and purpose. He also remarked the author’s insistence of justice and peace as a great leap forward.
The book was hailed as an idea of solidarity – of people coming together that gives meaning and purpose, a book that sets new direction through contested terrain where the author urges to cast away fear and to be more creative, imaginative and audacious when re-examining the global system of nation states as key source of conflict.
