The Naga Students’ Union Shillong (NSUS) observed the 78th Naga Independence Day on August 14 at K.C. Secondary School, Lummawrie, Shillong. The celebration was held under the theme: Inclusive Progressive and Empowered Nagalim.
According to a press release by NSUS, the program started with the hoisting of the Naga flag by the Chief Guest, Prof. Xavier Mao, HOD of the Department of Philosophy, NEHU, Shillong, and Joint Secretary, Indian Philosophical Congress. Following which the Naga anthem God Bless Nagaland, was sung.
In his keynote address, Chief Guest Prof Xavier Mao emphasised on looking at the history of the Naga Independence journey from a bird’s eye view. The political seed of the movement was planted during the First World War, after the Naga Labour Corps returned from France and felt the need to come together, and formed the Naga Club. The second milestone was when Simon Commission reached Nagaland in 1959 and a memorandum was submitted under the leadership of AZ Phizo, that the Nagas were partly under the British rule but a large part of the Naga areas especially in Burma were never under the British Empire, stated Prof. Mao.
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He reminded that the Indian Government sanctions a huge amount of money to Northeast and Jammu Kashmir which has been misused due to high corruption. “Political independence without Economic independence is like a blind person. And Economic independence without Political independence is like a lame person. They are like yin and yang,” said Mao, adding that the multiple pressure groups and factions have become the destroyer of the Naga society rather than uplifting the society.
“Intellectual and morality refinement is the need of the hour of Naga people. Work hard and be good people. The tree of the struggle is big but we are yet to see its flowers and fruits. The geopolitical struggle of superpowers like China, Russia , Korea and USA can highly determine the fate of our struggle. And we need to prepare ourselves to solidify our state. If not, our struggle for freedom will be in vain like that of the Palestinians, due to lack of preparation and delusion. Instead of liberating our society, we might end up destroying and enslaving ourselves,” stated Prof. Mao.
He earnestly requested the Naga youth to never waste their days and have self restraint and follow universally acceptable moral values and ethics.
The invocation was pronounced by the NCF, Happy Valley Pastor N. Pichamo Lotha and the Presidential address by the NSUS President Mughaka Awomi. Awomi greeted the invitees , viz, Naga Elders Forum, Khasi Students’ Union, Naga Scholars Forum Shillong, The Eastern Naga Student Union, Naga Post Graduate Coordination Committee and the presidents of the 17 Federating units of the Naga Student Union, Shillong. A one minute silence was observed in honor of the fallen heroes of the Naga freedom struggle. A folk song was presented by the Sumi Christian Fellowship, Shillong. PH Rosounii Albert, the General Secretary of NSUS acknowledged the invitees including the President of the 17th Federating unit of Naga Students’ Union Shillong, with a token of appreciation.
Speeches were delviered by the following the President of Naga Elders Forum, Shillong, the Khasi Student Union, the Eastern Naga Students Union, Shillong, and Naga Scholars Forum, Shillong. And a special presentation by Imlikumzuk Imsong. The vote of thanks pronounced by Vice President NSUS, Thumlan Vashum while benediction was invoked by Dimali K Holo, M.Th Christian Education.
