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Neiphiu Rio speaking during an event in Dimapur on Saturday. (EM Images)[/caption]
Dimapur, July 21 (EMN): A united people will achieve their dreams and their rights shall be secure. However, a divided people will experience supression, including supression of their rights, for which unity is imperative, Nagaland’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said on Saturday.
“When we are united, our dreams can come true. Our rights can be achieved. But if we are divided, we are not united. Our wishes will be just a dream; our rights will be suppressed and therefore, unity is a must,” Rio said in his address to a dedication programme for a new complex, Tenyimi market complex, in Dimapur on July 21. The programme was organised by the Tenyimi Union of Dimapur (TUD).
Dimapur is known as the commercial city of Nagaland. The city is inhabited by ethnic peoples besides those from the subcontinent. Referring to this fact, the CM said, “Dimapur is not only a miniature of Nagaland but a miniature of India.” He was hopeful that the complex would be a “blessed place for entrepreneurs” and for all commercial activities that take place there, in the future.
Encouraging the Tenyimi union, Rio asserted that, ‘It is not the end, but the beginning of unity.’ Unions are relevant for tribal communities today as they help in building a strong community by forging a common ground as one “Naga,” Rio said.
The Tenyimi union was formed not because of necessity but because of brotherhood and for it being a family historically, Rio maintained. He urged the Tenyimi community not to be confined only to itself but to ‘come out and build a stronger’ Naga community.
Rio likened the state’s tribes to pillars. “Each tribe is like a pillar in the building. A strong pillar, a strong tribal hoho put together can build a strong Naga house,” he said. Therefore, he said, unity is the need of the times.
The question of state economy
The most important aspect to Dimapur’s growth will be unity and harmonous coexistence that can create an environment conducive to business. The reason is that, “When Dimapur prospers, Nagaland will prosper,” the CM opined. He congratulated the TUD for establishing the commercial complex as ‘not only will it the benefit Tenyimi but will benefit everyone.’
Rio mentioned his awkward encounters with queries related to the state’s economy. He recounted meetings with national or world leaders that saw matters relating to the state;s affairs and economy discussed. The questions that arise mostly include matter about what Nagaland’s economy is, or what its source of income is and whether there are business opportunities, Rio explained. He confessed that being a state leader, such questions become “very embarrassing” and “difficult” to answer.
“We have to rebuild our culture. We have to learn how to do business and we have to have economic activities,” he said. Economy will be good only when the people decide to work or do something useful, he said. He had an advice for the gathering: ‘If you want to be a proud Naga, earn, save, spend, and be a proud person.’ He hoped that the complex would be a place for new beginning of economic activities for the Naga people.
Speaking about the prolonged political negotiations of the Naga groups with India, Rio said that the ‘Naga areas is a genuine demand’ and one which even the government of India recognises. ‘However, it has not been possible maybe because we are not united, or our rights have been suppressed,’ he said and urged the people to play proactive roles to achieve the aspiration of the people.
Iterating the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party’s objective to fight for Naga integration, Rio assured: “We will be an active facilitator” for a settlement which includes “honourable, acceptable, inclusive.” If the Naga people are united, any settlement that comes will be more honourable, more acceptable, and therefore we talked about the settlement of inclusiveness,” Rio maintained. However, Rio had concerns that ‘in paper, we show our unity but in reality we are not cohesive and still lack the strength of unity.’
In response to the ‘threatening’ statement made by Manipur’s chief minister over ‘Naga integration,’ Rio stated, “I want to appeal that they (Manipur) must support the Nagas. They must respect the rights of the Nagas as we’ll also respect their rights.” As neighbours, the states need to ‘co-exist in peace so that we can forge together forward for all round development. We should have harmony and brotherhood with each other in different states,’ the CM said.
“They can speak for themselves, but they cannot speak for us. They cannot decide for us. We have to determine our fate,” he said.
The chief minister also spoke about hygiene and cleanliness in Nagaland. “We can easily maintain cleanliness,” he said, and appealed to citizens to contribute in making the state free from plastic, by November. Raising concerns at the excessive use of plastic in the state, Rio said “We have to give a substitute to the use of plastic.” The state’s government is deliberating on the issue and have a few suggestions to solve the problem, the gathering was told. Some of the alternatives include bamboo baskets, and paper bags, which are biodegradable.
The president of the TUD, Khalo Kapfo, said in his address that the union had bought a plot of land in 2001. The project began in July 2013. It consists of 81 rooms, 200 sq ft per room. He said that the complex will be given out on lease for a period of 25 years. After the completion of 25 years, the ownership will revert to the union. It was informed that the daily Sunday market will be open at the complex. Vendors and business persons are invited to avail the opportunity.