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Kaka D. Iralu is a household name among the Nagas in connection to the issue of Nagas’ struggle for political self determination. I first got a glimpse of this man in one program some twenty years ago. It was a small gathering but he was sweating profusely and speaking passionately like he was fighting someone in the arena. I later came to find out that sweating and speaking was his trademark. In one such program, one day uncle Kaka walked over to me and said, “Rümatho, whenever I am asked to speak on the Naga issue, I cannot help but sweat and speak.” Watching Kaka from a distance and listening to people’s hearsay about him is quite different from getting to know him at close range. Living close to each other as neighbours in Kohima for a couple of years, and from the casual chitchat with him, I have come to know Kaka as someone who is very simple, practical and down-to-earth.
A thinker, an orator, an author, a Naga nationalist to the core, Kaka has written extensively on the Naga political history. Someone who speaks his mind and thinks aloud on Naga issue in any given platform, he epitomises what speaking the truth with courage is like. More than anything else, the Naga issue is so dear to his heart. I would think that if someone whispered the word “Naga” or “Naga issue” to Kaka in his sleep, he would inevitably jump up from his bed and instantaneously set the conversational ball rolling. Kaka’s writings are basically political in nature, but the icing on the cake invariably comes from the perspective of the Bible, an indication that his years of theological training has remained intact throughout in his thinking process. Such is the Kaka I know from my brief association with him.
While other Naga friends have their own good reasons to remember this great son of the soil, my people will remember Kaka for being our voice to the world. In his book “The Naga Saga” and other writings, Kaka has documented the suffering and sacrifice of my people in graphic detail. An entire chapter, running into several pages, chronicles the account of the price my people have paid for the Naga cause in the 60s. While many writers carry out their research from the comfort of their homes and libraries, Kaka had traveled to several villages to ascertain the fact on the ground. Today, Kaka is no more with us and the thought of not having him around has saddened us. But the example of his commitment to the Naga cause and the unwavering courage he demonstrated in the face of all kinds of threat will inspire posterity to face the unknown future that awaits the Nagas. May the God of all comfort draw him nearer to His presence, and may his tribe increase.
Rev. Rümatho Nyusou
Executive Secretary
Pochury Baptist Church Council