Nagaland CM participates in the Conversation on the Battle of Kohima: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ held at Hotel Vivor, Kohima on November 11. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, November 11 (MExN): Marking the Remembrance Day, the Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), organised a commemorative event- ‘A Conversation on the Battle of Kohima: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ at Hotel Vivor, Kohima on November 11.
Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio graced the occasion and felicitated the guests of the evening Bhaarat Dave, Deputy Chief of Mission, British Deputy High Commission; Sophie Rogan, Second Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Ireland; Amit Sengupta, Head of Press and Media, British High Commission; and Arnab Banerjee, Culture Attaché, Irish Embassy, stated a DIPR report.
Sharing a personal story, Chief Minister Rio recalled his mother’s narration of British soldiers staying in their village during the war and giving chocolates to young boys and girls who fetched water for them. He also mentioned his father’s service in the Assam Regiment under the British and receiving the King George medal after independence. “Our elders always remembered the British as generous and kind,” Rio said.
A conversation between Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of IDAN, and Mmhonlumo Kikon, politician, scholar, poet, and author of "His Majesty’s Headhunters: The Siege of Kohima That Shaped World History", formed the main highlight of the evening. The discussion revisited the Battle of Kohima, honouring its history while reflecting on its relevance for today’s generation.
Kikon noted that the Nagas come from a long tradition of storytelling, yet few written records exist about the Battle of Kohima. “This is the beginning of telling our stories, of how and why the battle happened, and what our people went through,” he said. He commended Charles Pawsey, then Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills, and spoke on the Nagas’ humanitarian support during the war. “The Nagas’ support was not political but human. The Japanese lost the goodwill of the people when they began taking food by force,” he added.
An attendee from England, the grandchild of a British army engineer who helped build the Naga Hospital during the war, also shared memories connecting generations.
Kikon reflected on how former enemies have now become friends, citing previous peace exchanges between the British High Commission and the Japanese Embassy in Kohima. “Even today, Japanese teams continue to visit the Naga Hills, searching for the remains of their fallen soldiers. The story of Kohima has evolved into one of reconciliation and peace,” he said.
The event was attended by officials from the British Deputy High Commission, Embassy of Ireland, British High Commission, Irish Embassy, as well as scholars, researchers and government representatives.
