The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) Chakhesang Region celebrated the 79th Nagaland Independence Day at Thenyizumi Village on August 14.
Following the unfurling of the national flag, Kedahge Gen (Retd) Viyalie Metha expressed deep appreciation to the region for hosting the historic occasion. He recalled that 78 years ago, on August 14, 1947, the Nagas declared their independence as colonial rule was ending, affirming their status as a sovereign nation with the right to decide their own future.
He stated that, despite moving forward as a sovereign nation, India invaded Nagaland in 1955 and continues its “illegal occupation” to this day.
In spite of this we continue to survive and exist as a nation, he added .
Gen. (Retd.) Metha however, cautioned that mere survival and existence does not guarantee a vibrant future. He stressed the role of the younger generation in the future of the nation and the collective duty of every Naga to create an environment for a thriving, sovereign nation.
He further said that to create such a future as a sovereign nation our constitutional rights and duties are of utmost importance as citizens and to ensure the rights and duties of each citizen constitutional order must be implemented.
“This is the very character of a sovereign nation that under such constitutional order its citizens are secure and their freedom as individuals are guaranteed. Thus we as a nation must move towards our own future as enshrined in our Yehzabo,” Kedahge said.
Emphasizing on the sovereign nation’s hurdles and sufferings and many a brave soldiers, civilians , both men and women, giving their lives for nation’s defence, Kedahge said that today we remember their supreme sacrifice and honour them. He underscored that we must not forget our past lest we drown in irrelevant narratives and ideologies unfit for our nation’s future.
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General Kedahge said that the legitimacy and legal foundation of our sovereignty as a nation lies in the historical continuity of the mandated Naga National Council and the Federal Government of Nagaland and “whether we have political differences or personal dislikes of one another does not matter when we are gathered in one mandated national platform and institution that has its foundation in historical continuity with a legal basis bound by mandate.”
Referring to the 75th Naga Voluntary Plebiscite Day held on May 16, 2025, organized by the Naga Plebiscite Commission, he reiterated that “Our Declaration of Independence is not without ratification or the people’s mandate for it was ratified by the Naga Voluntary Plebiscite of 1951 in which 99.9% wished to remain independent as we had been all along. Therefore, to keep alive this very historic milestone this year we celebrated our 75th Naga Voluntary Plebiscite Day”.
Gen. (Retd.) Metha thanked the Chairman of the Naga Plebiscite Commission and his colleagues for successfully organizing the 75th anniversary celebration and the Khiamniungan cultural troupe for their performance, which he said reflected their “undying loyalty to the nation.” He called for unity in principle, integrity, values, and character, likening it to iron and steel forged in the strongest heat and hammered by the heaviest blows.
Program was chaired by Capt. (Retd.) Yirei Lungleng, Rali Wali Kilonser, Federal Government of Nagaland. Rev. Dr. Chekrove-i Cho-o, Executive Secretary of CBCC, read the Bible and offered a prayer. Eno Medoth Rhakho, VCC of Thenyizumi Village, delivered the welcome address, and a special song was presented by Yorüba Youth. Awards were presented, and a mass prayer was held for the nation. Folk songs were performed by the Thenyizumi Women Group, Kuzha Cultural Society, Chetheba Women Group, and Eli Shothalü Neykha & Friends. The vote of thanks was delivered by Eno Kamucho Chüzho, Midan Peyu of Chakhesang Region, FGN.
