The Naga Students’ Federation organised ‘The Naga Morung’ to commemorate the 78th Naga Independence Day under the theme “Kuknalim” on 14th August 2024 at the NBCC Convention Centre, Kohima.
Following is the speech delivered by Dr Rosemary Dzuvichü, activist, retired professor, Adviser of Naga Mothers’ Association and Co-Convenor of the Global Naga Forum, at the event.
Today, as we commemorate our Naga Independence Day, we stand in solidarity with struggling nations across the world who yearn for peace and justice. From the mountains and hills of our Naga Homeland to the streets of Palestine, from the hills of Kashmir to the plains of Western Sahara, we recognize the shared struggles of nations and peoples who have borne the fragility of war just like us for generations. We know that peace is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of justice. We know that justice is not just a concept, but a lived reality. We know that our struggles are interconnected and our fates intertwined.
Today we gather to reflect on our political history and struggle and to honour the resilience that has defined our people. We remember the past, with the hope to build a stronger future. Our journey has been marked by courage, sacrifice and determination. From the early days of resistance against colonial rule to the present day our people have stood firm in the face of adversity. We have faced forced assimilation, cultural suppression, political marginalisation, militarization and army atrocities, dehumanization and violations of human rights, yet Nagas remain unbroken.
We remember the pioneers who fought for our rights like Dr. Imkongliba Ao, A.Z.Phizo and others who paved the way for our struggle. We honour the sacrifices of our Naga martyrs, whose blood has watered the soil of our freedom. We recognize the tireless efforts of our Naga political leaders of today, who have navigated treacherous landscapes to keep our cause alive. But our history is just not a tale of struggle, it is also a testament to our resilience. We have preserved our rich culture, our languages and traditions, despite centuries of external pressure. We have adapted, innovated and thrived in the face of adversity.
As we ponder on Nagas Tomorrow: The Vision and build the Naga future, we must draw strength from our past. Let us honor our heritage by innovating and preserving our culture. Learn from our struggles to forge a united and inclusive path forward. Empower our youth and younger generation to become Leaders who are changemakers in the truest sense. We must foster reconciliation and understanding amongst ourselves, with our neighbors and the world.
The Vision for the Nagas tomorrow has the potential to transform our communities and shape a brighter future for generations to come. Nagas Tomorrow is more than just a vision…it’s a movement that seeks to:
Bring Lasting Peace to our Homeland, built on the principles of justice, equality and reconciliation.
We are a nation born of ancestors that believed in justice, respect for elders and women, honest and brave. A people that protected a culture of peacemaking in the midst of wars. We must revive and sustain these traditional values and practices for the greater good of our people and for the future of the younger generation. Empower our people to Self-determine our Future, free from external interference, militarization and the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act that has affected and traumatized generations. Each one of us, old and young have the responsibility to stand for our Naga Identity as a people and the inherent right to freedom as declared on the 14th August 1949, which we celebrate today.
Generations of Nagas have seen wars and bloodshed, militarization, guns and killings and our longing for Peace and Freedom has been a long-felt dream.
Nations like ours have struggled and won their freedom. I want to cite few examples of other nations, Timor Leste, East Timor has a long and complex history of struggle for freedom and independence. From 1975 to 1999, they faced brutal suppression of human rights abuses and cultural erasure under Indonesian rule and it triggered the resistance movement led by Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos Horta who later became a peace laureate and President and Prime Minister. In 1999, the United Nations sponsored referendum showed overwhelming support for Independence. In 2002, East Timor officially gained Independence becoming the first new country of the 21st century.
Northern Ireland, the Good Friday Agreement also known as the Belfast Agreement was a landmark deal signed on April 10, 1998. It marked a significant turning point in their history, bringing an end to decades of sectarian violence and political deadlock. It established a power sharing government in Northern Ireland representing both unionist and nationalist communities. Created the British Irish Council to promote cooperation between the UK, Ireland and other British Isles nations.
The GFA addressed policing, justice and human rights and decommissioning of weapons, release of political prisoners. It paved the way for economic growth and development. Despite challenges it is a model for conflict resolution and power sharing globally. Northern Ireland reminded me of our Naga homeland on my fellowship there, few months before Stormont Parliament was finally opened for the signing of sharing of powers. Their resilience and protection of their historical rights has changed the course of British history.
Rwanda has made significant strides towards peace and reconciliation after the devastating genocide that claimed over 8,00,000 lives. The Post genocide reconstruction rebuilt its economy, institutions, infrastructure. Truth and Reconciliation Commission for ten years 2001 to 2010 fostered accountability and forgiveness. The Gacaca courts 2001-2012 was the community-based justice for genocide perpetrators. National Unity and Reconciliation Commission that consistently worked for promoting peace. Women empowerment which is important for a Just peace, Rwanda has increased women representation in politics and leadership. It is a fine example for us Nagas, about the journey to peace, post conflict recovery and reconciliation efforts worldwide.
Nelson Mandela and South Africa, the first Black President of South Africa, promoting peace and forgiveness, justice and equality reminds us of the long walk to freedom. Education is the most powerful weapon we must use to change our world. It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build. When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw. Precious words to remind us of our Naga situation and future.
We must achieve Economic Sustainability through innovative Entrepreneur ship, environmental stewardship and responsible resource management. A poor nation cannot survive even a winter and the Naga future will depend on these factors of economic sustainability. We must bring about a Cultural Renaissance celebrating our rich heritage revitalizing our traditions and promoting cross cultural understanding.
We stand at a critical juncture in our history where the wisdom of our past meets the promise of our future. Our rich cultural heritage shaped by centuries of tradition and resilience is a treasure trove of knowledge, customs and values. Yet we risk losing this precious legacy if we do not act now to preserve it. The challenge to our youth is to involve ourselves in peace building and peace making processes in our society. The future is yours and the older generation must give way to the younger generation who are better exposed and much more educated. Naga Elders must learn to guide and teach in the Naga Morung tradition which will create better understanding. We must encourage young leaders who are selfless, honest and courageous patriots who want the best for our people, gender sensitive in acknowledging the rights of women to peace and security in our land. Young leaders who have a global mindset to march with the changing world. These are the new breed of young Leaders who must lead Nagas to the future we envision for our people.
Nagas Tomorrow is also about connecting our youth to their roots, to the stories of our ancestors and to the political struggle that have made us who we are today. It is about empowering our younger generation with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become leaders, innovators and change makers in their own right.
Through education, cultural exchange, community engagement and economic empowerment we can build a just and lasting peace. Let us come together to make Nagas Tomorrow a reality. Let us invest in our youth, in our culture and in our collective future. We owe it to ourselves, our children and the generations to come, a future where our children can live with dignity, freedom and hope. A future where our culture flourishes and our people thrive in prosperity. Let us march forward together, with the wisdom of our elders and the energy of our youth. Let us create a Naga future that is worthy of our ancestors sacrifices and our People’s resilience
