Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio asserted that Nagas need a new awakening and concerted efforts to “stoke the flame of Naga nationhood”, “patriotism and oneness” and added that this will be the best way Nagas can re-kindle the feelings of oneness and harmony in the Naga society.

Rio stated this while speaking as the special guest at the 75 years Jubilee of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today here at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima.

“The prime need of the Naga society at the moment is oneness, unity and harmony, and realising this need, and to take the lead. The State Government had incorporated the word “UNITY” in the state emblem during my first tenure as Chief Minister,” stated Rio.

Recollecting the history of how Naga movement started, Rio said that the history of the Naga movement, is actually a movement to unite the Naga family as one and Nagas started their journey towards unity and nationhood with the formation of the Naga Club in 1918.

“The Naga Club was the first pan-Naga body that articulated the idea of Naga nationhood and Naga independence in their now famous Memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929. Later on, this initiative snowballed into the formation of the first pan-Naga political organisation, Naga National Council in 1946. Under the tutelage of the NNC, there was broad unity and harmony amongst the Nagas; and they participated in large numbers in the NNC sponsored plebiscite of 1951, opting for Naga sovereignty by an overwhelming majority. It was in the midst of this tubulous time that the NSF was formed in the year 1947,” he added.

A monolith was erected in commemoration of 75 years of the Naga Students’ Federation.

He pointed out that division amongst the Naga family started in the 1960’s, and is continuing unabated till today. The Naga nationalist political groups are now divided into several camps; while tribalism is raising its ugly head in the Naga civil society, he said.

“Sadly, as of today, we do not even have a single true pan-Naga organisation, be it a civil society, a tribal body or students’ organisation.”

He urged the Naga Student Federation to play a catalytic role in guiding and moulding the Naga youths, so that they can live up to their full potential.

He extended his greetings to the Federation on completing 75 years of service to the student community, as well as to the Naga community as a whole. He exuded  hope that the NSF will continue to remain strong, and carry on their legacy of serving and unifying the Naga people even in the years to come.

Kegwayhun Tep, President NSF delivering the welcome address said that the marathon journey of the Naga people to remain as a free people has been in itself a monumental task.

Significantly, with the inception of Naga Student Federation on 29 October 1947 under the chairmanship of Late. Z. Ahu Zinyu, the NSF’s journey has been one filled with numerous challenges, disagreements and difficult decisions along the way, added Tep.

Tep stated that the functioning of the Federation were interrupted at various stages owing to the turbulent times of political upheaval however, he said the call for the Naga people to survive as a nation was more important than to shy away from the war machines and political hegemony of the Indian military might.

“Thus far, Naga Students’ Federation has remained undeterred as the torchbearer for the youths and the Naga people at large in fostering unity for all Naga tribes cutting across shadow lines and all artificial boundaries,” he added.

Tep also said today’s celebration is a humble tribute to the pioneers and past leaders of the Naga people, irrespective of all ranks and files, on whose service and legacy we now stand today.

“Today, we celebrate the culmination of the 75 years long journey of the Federation. While celebrating the glorious past, we also remember all the struggles, the supreme sacrifices, blood and tears and all the services rendered in the true ‘Spirit of Oneness’”.

Further, he said that 75 years have elapsed since the historic declaration of the Naga peoples’ desire to live as a free people and as a separate political entity.

The Federation appealed to every quarter of the Naga people, to forge a unified Naga front as CSOs, as NPGs, and as stakeholders in showing the way forward towards a definite Naga future, acknowledging our own wrongs and enabling others to do the same, by moving away from the bitterness of the past and by overlooking one’s pride, ambitions and individual interests.

Earlier K Temjen Jamir, Convenor, Planning Committee gave a brief speech on “75years of NSF – Setting the Context”, the celebration also witnessed folk dance, Folk songs, Chicken dance and cultural presentations from various Students organisation.