“United States of Nagaland (USN)” – an idea, sounded to some people during his lifetime by Lt. Vizol, former Nagaland Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha M.P., whose time had not come yet then. In his funeral meeting, this was reiterated by a retired senior bureaucrat thinker, D.K. Zeliang, IFS, Retd. Principal Conservator of Forests. A similar perspective was mooted in a recent article entitled “Solutions for Naga Questions” by another thinker, Besesayo Kezo, IPS, Retd. DGP. The other day, Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Convenor, FNR, emphasised that “Nagas should practice our uncontested sovereignty, without seeking it from those who do not have the rights to offer the same”, saying “cooperation is nationalism begun, and nationalism is cooperation at its best”.
That the Naga political issue is a multidimensional and multilayered complex one is obvious. That piece-meal solution or a final solution at one go is unimaginable is also obvious. Hegel’s conclusion that “History teaches us that history teaches us nothing” appears to be relevant for us today. “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. As of now, many people feel that any solution could be a panacea.
There is no expiry date, but the long-drawn issue has created many problems over the years for all citizens and we are blaming one another for all the ills thereof. It is possible that we are yet to offer our best responses to this protracted challenge. We all can contribute our best to set our house of Naga fraternity in order (social harmony, unity, etc), be friendly with our neighbours and be expectant of positive and good outcomes from the great democratic nation of India and the neighbouring country of Myanmar. The Almighty is in control of history, not men, and we cannot afford to be desperate or hopeless. Wherever we are placed, let us have a unity of purpose and a meaningful existence, knowing that we have a common destiny ahead of us.
Dr. Dietho-o
South Corner, A.G Road
Kohima