Kanpatlung Pamei
THE much debated and controversial figure of the generation has been figured out as the Rani of the Nagas; Gaidinliu. When all that could be branded and criticized and thrown all condemnable allegations, the reality of her human person stands out pure and clear before the world by her own statement and her vivid exemplary simplicity demonstrated during her life time. All filthy and abominable languages thrown against her true self could not deface or defile her virtuous character. The fact to substantiate could be established to silent all words or terms of cruel implication meted against her.
Detail research consideration on her life account studied by her contemporary writers and followers could be reproduced before the world. According to one of the writer’s version who is a devotee of Rani Gaidinliu; Jagdamba Mall when interviewed about her life’s account, he narrated that she was a spiritual and charismatic person whose influence was well recognized, honored and highly regarded by all class of Indian society within and abroad. India revered Rani Gaidinliu, affectionately called as Ranima by her followers and admirers including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and all his cabinet colleagues, the whole parliament- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha with ruling and oppositions MPs alike with various political and religious background including Hindus, Communists, Christians, Muslims and Parsis adore her by calling her Ranima. Hindu regards her and worshipped her as one of the goddesses.
The epoch-maker political icons like Atal Behari Vajpayee and Lalkhristna Advani put Rani Gaidinliu as freedom fighter of Bharatvarsh at par with Rani Lakshmi bai of Jhansi, Rani Durgawati of Jabalpur, Rani Chenamma of Karnataka and Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. She is also regards as one of the fierce revolutionaries at par with Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Ram Prasad, Bismil and Udham Singh. By her valor and perseverance, Rani Gaidinliu inflicted crushing defeat on the English. She beat her white conclusively. The Rongmei of Zeliangrong Nagas and the Nagas from all Nagas inhabited areas baring few exceptional cases that she was believed to be an incarnation of Charachamdinliu- the daughter of Lord Vishnu- the supreme godhead. However, the present generation perceives the reality behind the supposed belief about her queer personality. The fact that she was a woman of faith in the existence of supreme God, who pervade and sustain the nature of the universe.
Rani Gaidinliu was also believed to possess a divine soul and ascetic sanyasin who often meditate in the night, sitting near a fire at quiet place away from human habitation. Her meditation lasted for hours together. Our elders have seen the cave where Ranima used to meditate in Luangkao village. She used to go trances which lasted sometimes for whole night (8-12 hours) mostly on poornima (full moon) nights near a fire facing poorna Chandrama (full moon). Our elders and her followers have seen her meditating and in trances several times during her journey to Zeliangrong Areas and to difference parts of the country. They have experienced her diving powers and spiritual lives. Her divine powers and spiritual heights with motherly love and compassion made her “Ma” (mother) of one and all whosoever came in contact with this diving Naga lady of Nagaland. Though born in Luangkao village (150 kms from Imphal) in Tamenglong district of Manipur, she spent most of prime times of her life in difference villages of Nagaland and neighbouring villages of Manipur and Assam. She was living in a house No. AF/69 in Forest colony of Kohima. She had contributed most to the Nagas of Nagaland. And she is Charachamdinliu to all of her devotees. It is advised that Thepfulhouvi Solo and the like-minded to avoid hurting the sentiments of her worshippers and admirers in the Northeast region and the other parts of the country.
Coming back to her spiritual possession, divine power and extra ordinary divinity. Ranima was regarded as saint by all the four Shankaracharyas of the country and other highly revered sages at Prayagraj (Allahabad), Ayodhya kasha (Varanasi), Mathura Vrindavan, Gaya (Bihar), Ujjian Rameswaram and other holy places in the country. The second RSS Chief- M.S Golwalkar (Shri Guruji)- himself a sanyasi of high cadre honor Ranima by offering his blessings and respect to her when he met her at Jorhat in 1969 during a Northeast level Hindu Sammelan (conference). Shri Guruji presented her an idol of Baal Shri Krishna (Child Shri Krishna) which she adored throughout her life. A bottle of divine Gaidinliu’s water of healing was sold for Rs 10/- in Zeliangrong areas of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, in Angami areas and in Karbi Anglong before 1947 and after it till she left for heavenly abode on February 17th, 1993. The life of Rani Gaidinliu is unique. She was believed to be an incarnation of goddess Durga by some Indian devotees - the killer of mighty demons when she was faced with and challenged by white demons- the British. Simultaneously, she was regarded as a great saint. She was a compassionate lady. However, she was compelled to take up arms in her defense of her eternal religion and culture when attacked and she also fought for the freedom of her people. The British and the NNC attempted to suppress her movement by hunting her life. She established a military force to repulse the organized armed militants whose target was to finish her movement.
She was a fierce revolutionary woman with remarkable character and simultaneously a saint lady of high caliber. She was a unique lady with extra ordinary valor and exceptional spirituality both rolled into one which is rarely found in the country and the world as a whole. But the Nagas failed to identify the greatness of her motherhood. To our utter surprise many of us venerated Mother Teresa- a foreign lady who stayed in Kolkata far away from Nagaland. She devoted her whole life for the upliftment of the whole Naga society without making any distinction on the basis of tribal differences. She made no religious distinction be it a Christian, Muslim or Hindu. Ranima was one and the same for every human being. Her universal love and compassion embraces all religions. Whoever touched her feet and bowed to her were said to have been blessed. That was regarded as her divine power. Her all pervasive innocence and divinity was a charming spell to one and all.
Ranima was a believer of integral humanism. She believed in the conservation of nature and co- existence of living and non living being. She preached and practiced against the extraction of mineral resources and opposed exploration and exploitation. She was one of the greatest saints on earth.
Ranima, when in 32, was put in Yimrup – a Chang village in 1947. When the news of Rani Gaidinliu’s coming to Yimrup spread, the people from this village and other nearby villages assembled to welcome her and prayed her for blessing . Water touched by Ranima Gaidinliu was used as a healing medicine for different types of ailments. Jagdamba Mall visited Yimrup village twice and interviewed almost all important persons who could narrate the private and social life of Gaidinliu. The people show appreciation and admiration to her. None of them mentioned about human sacrifice or sucking human or animal blood. Beso Chiching Chang a resident of Kezok village in Tuensang district became Vice President of Nagaland Gaon Borah Association. When Ranima arrived in Yimrup in the year 1947, Beso Chiching Chang, 13, came to Yimrup and lived with Ranima till 1952. He looked after her as a son served his mother and Ranima gave a motherly care. Jagdamba visited Luangkao Village, the birth place of Ranima and stayed in the same house where Ranima lived. The villagers narrated that they have never seen any human skull or human blood or baby sacrifice. He interviewed a dozen elders of the village and recorded it for his research paper. None of them mentioned about sorcery, witchcraft and baby sacrifice against her person. He also visited Jalukie, Peren, Tening, Heranglwa, Old Tesen, Njao, Njauna, Nsong, Imtuma, Ngam, Poilwa (Pulomi), Benreu, Beisumpui, Athibung, Ngaulong, Magulong, Yankholen, Ziumi, Haflong, Lodi, Tungje, Hungrum, Laisong, Puilo (Boro Haflong), Boro Chenem, Kepeulwa, Ziribam, Binakandi, Subhashnagar, Khasia Punji, Silchar, Huxer Nagar and Tarapur etc. He produced a list of 112 living sepoys with their photos. Over a score of them were interviewed by him. He even interviewed prominent Zeliangrong Stalwarts or read their books. Prof. Gangmumei Kamei, Meizinlung Kamson, Asoso Yunuo, A.K. Lungalang (NSCN IM Kilonser), Azu Newmai, Ramga, Atum, Pou. N.C Zeliang, Pou. Ramkuiwangbe Newme and many more.
Jagdamba Mall made all possible effort to verify whether Ranima practiced human sacrifice and cherished human blood and skull as maligned by some Naga Pseudo- intellectual like Thepfulhouvi Solo who himself is not a pure Angami. He said his mother is a Garo lady. He is not a native of Kohima BaraBasti. He is simply an adopted son of the village authority. On hearing his question, most of them were taken aback. He interviewed some of the church leaders as well. They also denied of the allegations. Rather, all of them were in praise of Ranima. He visited Zeilat lake, Binakandi Mandir and Bhuvan Cave near Silchar via Khasiapunji village. He found people praising Ranima all along for her valor and perseverance. People were surprised to experience the medicinal value of Gaidinliu’s water.
To him (Jagdamba), the atmosphere of the Bhuvan Cave is a Holy, Divine and enlightening shrine. Here in this cave where Ranima and Haipou Jadonang did their penance for attaining a divine enlightenment. Ranima attended the second world Hindu conference at Prayagraj (Allahabad) way back on the 24-26th January 1979 at the confluence of mighty holy rivers- Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. She addressed the mammoth Hindu rally of five Lakhs assembled from over 50 countries of the world. All the four Shankaracharyas, the venerated sages and sanyasis were present. VHP international President Maharaja Bhagat singh Mewar- the direct descendant of Maharana Pratap, was presiding over the conference. VHP international President Maharaja Bhagat singh Mewar, 3rd RSS Chief Bala Saheb Deoras, Kalyan Ashram Founder President Bala Saheb Desapande and Rashtra Sevika Samiti Chief Tai Apte described her as an outstanding Freedom Fighter possessing an extra ordinary divine entity. She addressed at the mammoth rally of five lakhs Hindu which was translated by Ramkuiwangbe Newme of Lodhi village, the then PS of Ranima. Smt. Vijayaraje Scindia mother of Madhavrao Scindia-a prominent Congress leader and mother of Smt. Vasundhararaje Scindia the chief Minister of Rajasthan were sitting beside her. They were all in one accord praised Ranima. Ranima presided over All Bharat Janjati Mahila Sammelan conference where more than five thousand women delegates from all the states of the country attended on the 24-26th January 1985 at Bhilai. She was honored by General Manager of Bhilai Steel Plant. Her Birthday was celebrated in famous Ganesh Mandir in Bhilai (M.P). Thousands of ladies and gentlemen prayed for her long and prosperous life. Ranima showered her blessing upon them.
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru met her in Shilong Jail in 1937 and described her as Rani of the Nagas. Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi admired Ranima. The authors prof. Gangmumei Kamei, Asoso Yunuo, Suboth Chandra Dev, Dr. D.V. Kumar, Dr. Keshor Jadav, J.M. Risbud,(Chief Engineer of Nagaland PWD, Dr. Aram Director of Nagaland Peace centre, Natwar Bhai, Khakkar(founder Director of Gandhi Ashram, Chuchuyimlong, Dr. K.K. Sharma, V.S. Tamhankar, Director Gyan Prabodhini, L.P Singh, former Governor Northeast States During 1970s, M. Ramuni Advisor to Governor L.P. Singh, Hokise Sema former Chief Minister of Nagaland and his advisor shri Sangmungam, T.R. Zeliang Chief Minister and even Neiphiu Rio and several others- all these stalwarts of Nagaland and outside the state describes Rani Gaidinliu as an epoch maker. Neiphiu Rio Former Chief Minister declared on 12th Oct.2009 that he would constructs Rani Gaidinliu Museum at Kohima. Therefore, Rani Gaidinliu Museum cum Library Kohima is constructed with Rs.10 crores brought over by Neiphiu Rio. He allotted this contact work to his own distance related.
Her birth Centenary celebrated at Peren Nagaland, Lodi Vill, Assam, Guwahati, Delhi, Kolcutta, Mumbay, Nagpur and sixty other places in almost all the states of the country. Photo exhibition, CDs show on the life of Ranima, lectures, siminars and workshops, quiz Competition and essay competitions in school, college and university level were organized. RSS and its two dozen sisters’ organizations, Arya Samaj, Bharat Sewas Shram Sangh, art of living, Patanjaliyog Samity, Lions Club, Lotary Club, Bharat Vikash Parishad and all the local socio cultural Organizations actively worked to organized the functions and cultural shows in honor of Ranima. Peoples spoke of gallantry deeds of Ranima. Yog Guru Baba Ramdev described her as illuminating personality acting as a source of inspiration and a paths finder for all Nagas and the peoples. Ranima’s freedom stories and reformed movements were prominently carried through-out the country. Prominent columnists also wrote about her in Hindi, English and Vernacular News Papers.
S.C Dev brought Ranima over ground. He had written about the brave personality of Ranima in his books- The Untold Story of Nagaland. Prof. Gangmumei kamei has described the freedom struggle of Rani Gaidinliu in his books- (1) A History of Zeliangrong Nagas- From Makhel to Rani Gadinliu (2004) (2) Jadonang- A Mystic Naga Rebel (1997) and (3) History of Manipur 3Vols (2015). Chaoba Kamson has described in detail the philosophy of Zeliangrong Religion in his book – The Zeliangrong : Social System and culture. Asoso Yunuo has given the account of RaniGaidinliu’s life in his book- Freedom struggle under Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu. Arkotong Longkumar- an Ao Naga has produced a book-Reform, Identity and narratives of belonging: The Heraka movement in Northeast India. This is his thesis brought over in book form (258 pages). Ursala Graham Bower – a British Lady has spoke about divine Virtues of Ranima in her book- Naga Path. Dr. Rose Mary ( a professor in Nagaland University and Director, Women Study Centre Nagaland University, Kohima) organized a seminar on Rani Gaidinliu in Nagaland University, Kohima Campus in early this year (2016). She also failed to find out that Rani Gaidinliu was a demon and sucker of human blood. Dr. Rose Mary an outstanding Scholar, Social activist and a visionary lady leader tried to dig out the divine virtue of Ranima. She also hail from Kohima Bara Basti. She discards out rightly what envious Theofulhovi Solo writes about the greatest Naga Lady of her time. None of the above scholars could implicate Rani Gaidinliu as Witchcraft, Sorcerer, Demon worshipper. Those allegations and implications were inventions of Thepfulhovi Solo. How does Thepfulhouvi Solo dare to abuse our mother – The Great Rani Gaidinliu. A section of Naga society is jubilant on Mother Teresa having been declared as Saint by Pope Francis in Vatican for her miraculous healing but the same Naga failed to recognize and honor to their own Lady- Saint Rani Gaidinliu who has healed thousands of nagas through her miraculous water and divine touch.
There are several other Naga intellectuals like Charles Chasie ( Kohima Village ) and Monalisa Changkija who do not subscribe the abusive language used by Thepfulhouvi Solo in his allegation against the revered Ranima. Misrepresentation of Rani Gaidinliu’s story by prejudiced persons like Thepfulhouvi Solo and the likes are only revealing their resentful and covetous attitude. This is perhaps the high time to come forward and presenting the correct history which will be guiding force and source of inspiration and aspiration for the generation to come. Also, Naga society is required to remain ever alert to check the destroyers and master liars. Thepfulhouvi Solo has hidden agenda to distort the Naga History.
The construction of Rani Gaidinliu’s Museum Cum Library at Kohima is almost 80 percent completed but the further construction is stopped from last one year because of the opposition by Angami Nagas of Kohima Bara Basti on the ground that Rani Gaidinliu has not done anything tangible for Naga society. But the history speaks otherwise. The APO and Angami Youth Organization of Nagaland are also responsible for this unhappy development. What if A.Z Phizo is also condemned who killed T. Sakhrie, his NNC’s first Secretary for no deserving reason or cause.
Thousands admirers of Rani Gaidinliu throughout the country blame Angami Nagas for stalling the construction of Rani Gaidinliu Museum cum library.
Top-ranking Angami political leaders are also blamed for not being able to overcome the impasse, whereas it was the towering Angami Naga Leader – Neiphiu Rio, former Chief Minister of Nagaland and present MP Lok Sabha mooted the concept and contributed Rs. 1 Crore from state share and Rs. 9 crores from DONOR for the said museum. People believed that the same Neiphiu Rio is behind this fiasco with an intention to topple T.R. Zeliang Government.
One rupee postal ticket with photo of Ranima was issued in 1996. Again Modi Government has declared to issue Rs. 5 and Rs. 100 coins with photo of Ranima. Her portrait will be kept in parliament house. The statue will be installed at different prominent places. The National Libraries, Parks, Roads, airport and trains will be named after Rani Gaidinliu. It should be enough for whole Naga to understand the logic of human respect India has given to Naga Lady.
The present Government has also pay a high sense of civic honor to the Nagas in respect to their Naga lady. It is unfortunate and regretted to know that the so claim Thepfulhouvi Solo is still propagating his own makeup story without considering the aspect of the nagas society as a people. May the spirit of Ranima forgive and pardon her critic as they (Critics) don’t know what they are doing. Appeal to Angami people in particular and all the Nagas in general to shun all abusive languages for Ranima and impress upon those who are impending the construction work of Rani Gaidinliu Museum cum library at kohima. Angami only will be most benefited because of the Museum which will be an international tourist destination and a place for devotion.
Generally People demand the establishment in the name of great men and women. Take the example of Dalailama, if a memorial is Established in honor of Dalailama in Dharmasala, Shimla, Uttrakhand, It will be an international centre for the Budha Dharma. Dharmashala will come on international tourist map which will earn revenue for the state. Similarly, Rani Gaidinliu Museum cum library once established, it will also bring Kohima in the international tourist map.
Considering the account of Jagdamba’s Statement on Ranima as narrated, it is pertinent to know that the high civic nation is paying a moral obligation to honor the Noble Naga Lady, Nagas as a people ought to respect and honor their own leader as much as India does. Moreover, Nagas ought to respect their leaders likes A.Z Phizo and all prominent Naga National Leaders. It is viewed that some few envious Nagas like Thepfulhouvi Solo are defacing and disgracing the whole Nagas before the world. It is also that as such selfish and unscrupulous leaders are bringing shame and disgrace to the Nagas and India in general. Therefore, if Nagas is to go along with the rest of the civic nations of the world, she must exercise human sense of respect for each other tribes on the ground that the whole Nagas must face the consequent of failing to respect others.
Gaidinliu was a woman of Courage who followed the footstep of Jadonang as his faithful Riphian (Sepoy). After Jadonang was hung by the British India and the Meitei Maharaja in 1931, Gaidinliu took charge to lead the nation at the early age of 13. Her able leadership with the charming personalities and the right cause for the nation were the only messages which the nation followed her. Her movement against the suppressive British India and the protection of the Native People Indigenous Religious Faith invites enemies from the British India, Rongmei Converted Christian and later to the NNC which led her to left her Native village, Puiluan in Tamenglong District of present Manipur. Gaidinlu was the longest sufferer among the national freedom fighters. She was left unattended in the jail when India’s celebrated her first Independence Day on 15th August 1947.
The Rongmei Naga Youth Organization appeal to all the people of the nation and especially to the Naga Christian of Nagaland to shun all unchristian and unethical branding of other human person and to look himself/herself and know that no one is above criticism. It is condemnable and implacable under law for dishonoring the National Freedom Fighter. All those who attempt to defame her virtue is liable to be penalized by act of law as criminal. It is a character assassination and a crime against the nation to attack her person and title. Appeal to all Nagas to relook and see what went wrong within oneself rather than finding fault of others.
