The Vision of T. Sakhrie for a Naga Nation written by Ahu Sakhrie and posthumously published by PenThrill Publication House was formally released today at The BookHome in Kohima by Meno Sesa, the older sister of the author.
During the launch, Dr Kepelhusie Terhüja and Labu Sakhrie (son of T Sakhrie) gave insights into the book and also spoke about their close association with the author.
The Vision of T. Sakhrie for a Naga Nation was earlier printed in 2006 in commemoration of the 50th death anniversary of T Sakhrie. When the book came out, Labu Sakhrie said, “there was a 50 years silence. Nobody spoke or wrote in defense of him or presented a picture from our point of view.”
While for 50 years only one side of the picture was presented, he said the booklet attracted a lot of attention. Many people were happy and some were not, he pointed out and expressed that it was not intended to create division but written with an open mind.
With people denied of correct information for too long, Sakhrie exuded the hope that “this book will be a channel for bringing about understanding among people.”
“There should be no more animosity, or division among people. We want to be friends with everyone,” he stated.
In her publisher’s note, Vishü Rita Krocha remarked: “T Sakhrie is a very well-known name to Nagas as a whole and the indelible legacy he left behind even in his short lifespan will be remembered with or without this book.”
She added, however, that the publication of the book also means preserving part of the Naga history that T Sakhrie was so crucially part of. “His conviction and commitment to the Naga issue and his political wisdom is evident from the very way he lived as we have heard of and read about,” she added.
Yirmiyan Arthur Yhome, proprietor of The BookHome, also spoke about her close association with the author while adding that his contribution to the Naga story is indisputably immeasurable.
Earlier, the author’s daughter, Ketoriavi Sakhrie Metseio chaired the programme.
Sasa, older sister of late Ahu Sakhrie (L) and Ketoriavi Sakhrie Metseio, late Sakhrie’s daughter (R)
Ahu Sakhrie was an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, where he studied MPhil in Sociology. He was one of the founders of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) in 1978. He later served as a lecturer at Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung from 1986–94 and subsequently joined the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education, Government of Nagaland, as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in 1994, and retired from office in 2015.
He was much sought after for his exceptional oratory skills and extensive knowledge on subject matters like human rights, Indo-Naga political movement and his socio-political analysis of the Naga society. Some of his unpublished writings include ‘Social Changes and Continuities in Naga Society’, ‘Emergence of a National Identity, the Naga case’ and ‘Traditional Naga Character and Changing Patterns.’
Ahu Sakhrie passed away in July 2016 after a brief illness, leaving behind his wife, three sons and three daughters.
