My dear countrymen and women,
On behalf of NNC/FGN I greet you all in the name of God, Almighty. As we commemorate the 58th Republic Day of our nation, our minds are drawn to honour and salute those who gave their wisdom and efforts to the formation of Nagaland as a Republic. Things have never been easy for the Nagas then and now. However, the Nagas have stood the test of time and we have never doubted our unique historical and political rights. This has been our strength over the ages and on this hangs our hope and aspirations.
As we commemorate the 58th years of our existence as a republic, we have so many things to be thankful for, thankful to our God for sustaining us through good and bad times, thankful for our leaders of the past who enshrined their vision for our nation and to all those precious lives who stood the test of time and gave their life for our cause. And therefore, as we recount this, we must also once again rededicate our commitment without weaving to serve the cause of our nation.
We must not side track from the very foundation of our national identity, namely the mandate given by the Nagas which often phrased as “the 1951 Plebiscite.” This mandate is one of honour and in it lays the very soul of our national identity. We are unique not only in one way but in every sense of the term as a people and as a nation. We chose to acknowledge and shape our own destiny with dignity and integrity and therefore, we have withstood the tides that seek to destroy our spirit. This spirit makes us to be proud of who we were then who are today.
History is important and in an occasion like this we must once again recite history to refresh ourselves of many things that took place to shape the Nagas as a nation. To mention a few, Naga People’s Memorandum of 1929, known as the “Simon Commission,” Memorandum to Akbar Hydari, June 26, 1947, Declaration of Naga Independence, August 14, 1947, A.Z. Phizo’s Memorandum to C. Rajagopalchari, November 22, 1948, A.Z. Phizo’s Memorandum to the President Republic of India, January 1, 1951, and the historic “Naga Plebiscite,” May 16, 1951. All these historical milestones are self explanatory and it speaks volumes of who we are and what we truly desire.
Our Naga National Institution is guarded by the ideals of Democracy, Justice, Liberty and Fraternity. Prior to 1956, Nagaland was divided into two parts, however, at the first historic Tatar Hoho, a Federation was formed which was convened by the Naga National Council (NNC) on 22nd March, 1956. This Hoho unanimously ratified the Articles enshrined therein the Constitution, enabling Nagaland hereafter to act with legal authority. Accordingly, NNC representing the then Naga Hills District and Honking Government, representing the free Nagas, freely and willingly merged into single Federal Republic of Nagaland and established the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN). Thus, the Naga Republic rests on the will and mandate of the people and upon this rests our conviction that we shall never err and therefore, this is our strength as we move forward.
As the journey of the Nagas rolls on, we have charted on trouble water. The forces dissecting our political movement have taken the path of divide and rule and this has come to sow the seed of animosity and suspicious, at times giving us the impression that our cause has sink down to singing the chorus of our oppressors. But our Government has never stooped low nor has given the tactics of the forces that seek to destroy us. As we commemorate our Republic, let it known to one and all that the NNC/FGN will never be bogged down to any internal or external pressure.
The greatest achievement of this decade has been the “Journey of Common Hope” initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) to bring the different political group to one common platform. Tireless efforts have been made by FNR and much has been achieved. We must continue to applaud to convener and his team in this noble task. In spite of many successes, we cannot deny the fact that the journey went through tight channels, channel of doubt and suspicions. At times, the NNC/FGN felt discouraged. But above all, we must let our people know that my Government will not give up in pursuing peace and the work of reconciliation. We will always view reconciliation as a means to strengthen our national goal and vision. And as so long this path is followed, my Government will not back off from our commitment and betray our own signatures. We will be sincere in our approach and will have no other agenda than our national integrity and interest. But we will not tolerate any move that would seek to hijack our national destiny to self accommodation and selfish gain.
Once again, my dear countrymen and women, we all love our people and we all know in our heart that Nagas are distinct nation and people. We must not merely rationalize this into politics of convenience but we must put into practice. Choosing this path is not easy; it means to give up killings and learn to love life, to stop hating and learn to love the unlovable and learn to forgive and to stop narrating lies and start speaking the truth. This, I and we must all do.
On this auspicious day, it is proper for me to salute all the heroes and heroines, who for the love of this nation shaped and fostered the dreams and visions of our people into reality that we might those of us who come after will live out their vision. We honour their invaluable service and sacrifice. Along with them, we also pay homage to the souls who paid the price of patriotism by selflessly giving their best and life for the love of this nation. We are what we are today as people and nation for what they were to our people and nation yesterday. We honour with respect and I salute them and to all ranks and files of the NNC/FGN, I would admonish you this day to stay focus and discipline and to honour and respect the mandate of the Nagas and to fear God in your life and action.
My prayer for the Nagas today is that, God Almighty will bestow upon us His wisdom to guide our mind and grace to strengthen our soul as we move forward to our destined future.
May God Bless you all and KUKNALIM
Issued by
Ministry of Rali Wali (MIP)
Federal Government of Nagaland
