It is heart-warming to learn that the new NSF team is planning to tour and reach out, among other places, the forgotten side of the fence in the political fractured Naga homeland. Should wishes rain, it would sprout a turning point in our Naga history embracing each other’s social customs and religion. In another context, it would be re-enactment of the scenario of North-South Korea/Vietnam and Croats/Albanians of Eastern Europe.
“Blut ist dicker als wasser” – German proverb
Every individual must cheer the NSF team and wish them ‘God Speed’ to reach their destination for the good of all. During my tenure in Naga Hoho (2002-2004), I had put forward more than once to go to Assam, Arunachal and Manipur to express our political impasse and grievances to Asom Sahitya Sabha and the United Manipur Committee members respectively but, it was not enthusiastically accepted and acknowledged. Due credit should also be given to those individuals, families, churches councils and the Nagaland Missionary Movement for sponsoring missionaries to China, Nepal, Thailand and in other parts of the Indian Union, God bless them abundantly.
However, nearer home, there are still dark fields inhabited by our Gospel nor has seen the progress and advancement of their fellow brethrens. If I am not mistaken, our fellow brothers and sisters’ present social, culture and economic conditions may be well equated with our forefathers’ point in time during the last century prior to the arrival of Dr. E W Clark and his mission. The onus of uplifting this dark field needs to be owned by us. These following Naga tribes and villages in Sagaing Province, Myanmar are recognized by the Military Junta of Myanmar:-
1. Konyaks- 17 villages, 2. Khiamnungans- 163 villages, 3. Lainongs- 72 villages, 4. Pangmies- 375 villages, 5. Somras- 37 villages, 6. Paras- 22 villages and 7. Makuris- 28 villages. Further, there are still people and tribes who are yet to be recognized.
It is appreciable that the Chief Minister, Shri. Neiphiu Rio on his own volition walked into the Myanmar Consul General’s office, New Delhi and politely asserted to the Consul General to extend the development programmes in the Naga areas, who retorted that they lacked resources and funds. Instead, paradoxically he pleaded to the Chief Minister, Nagaland to devolve funds for our kith and kin there. We may therefore, propose to the Myanmar authorities to add Sagaing Province, where Nagas are suppressed and deprived of the basic Human rights to us, our Naga’s land.
“Blut ist dicker als wasser” – German proverb
Every individual must cheer the NSF team and wish them ‘God Speed’ to reach their destination for the good of all. During my tenure in Naga Hoho (2002-2004), I had put forward more than once to go to Assam, Arunachal and Manipur to express our political impasse and grievances to Asom Sahitya Sabha and the United Manipur Committee members respectively but, it was not enthusiastically accepted and acknowledged. Due credit should also be given to those individuals, families, churches councils and the Nagaland Missionary Movement for sponsoring missionaries to China, Nepal, Thailand and in other parts of the Indian Union, God bless them abundantly.
However, nearer home, there are still dark fields inhabited by our Gospel nor has seen the progress and advancement of their fellow brethrens. If I am not mistaken, our fellow brothers and sisters’ present social, culture and economic conditions may be well equated with our forefathers’ point in time during the last century prior to the arrival of Dr. E W Clark and his mission. The onus of uplifting this dark field needs to be owned by us. These following Naga tribes and villages in Sagaing Province, Myanmar are recognized by the Military Junta of Myanmar:-
1. Konyaks- 17 villages, 2. Khiamnungans- 163 villages, 3. Lainongs- 72 villages, 4. Pangmies- 375 villages, 5. Somras- 37 villages, 6. Paras- 22 villages and 7. Makuris- 28 villages. Further, there are still people and tribes who are yet to be recognized.
It is appreciable that the Chief Minister, Shri. Neiphiu Rio on his own volition walked into the Myanmar Consul General’s office, New Delhi and politely asserted to the Consul General to extend the development programmes in the Naga areas, who retorted that they lacked resources and funds. Instead, paradoxically he pleaded to the Chief Minister, Nagaland to devolve funds for our kith and kin there. We may therefore, propose to the Myanmar authorities to add Sagaing Province, where Nagas are suppressed and deprived of the basic Human rights to us, our Naga’s land.
