Shehoto I Yesca
General Secretary, NNC/GDRN (N-A) (Shilu-Shehoto)
I take this opportunity to thank our Almighty God for the promises he has made for the Nagas. Our future is in His hands and will be fulfilled in accordance with his plan, for His words are faithful and trustworthy.
I pay homage to all freedom lovers who laid down their lives for the sake of our homeland. To our comrades who made supreme sacrifice, I pay my respects and salute their endeavour and to place on record our gratitude.
79 years ago, on this historic day, the 14th August, 1947, our pioneering patriots captured the best moment to make known to the world that British connection with Naga people did not involve with the British Raj in India and Burma (Myanmar). And thus it became a red letter day in the history of Naga Nation. The day is observed ever since 1947.
As we commemorate this day to honor and remember the sacrifice of our nationalist leaders, let us also remind ourselves of the responsibility to acquaint with the life and work of our forefathers: their spirit of patriotism, enthusiasm and energy, buoyant youth, honesty, talent and workmanship, self reliance, their unwavering desire for peace and cooperation with all peace loving people and most of all their hospitality and cordiality, all of which qualities are the sincere expressions of our unique identity that we must try to emulate at all cost.
We must keep renewing the spirit of nationalism and have complete faith that we will achieve our goal as a free Nation in the comity of nations. Nation building lies in our diligence, each of us in our own personal and sovereign right should work and contribute towards progress and welfare of our Nation. It is possible for us because we are the descendants of those people who were deeply rooted in self dependency and sufficiency. The spirit of self-dependency inherent in our people forms the crux of our movement for self-determination and we are committed to carry on the task to our best possible extend; and God willing, till the desired goal is attained.
The course of Naga struggle against our mighty neighbours and occupational forces is a story written in blood of thousands of martyrs. Endless conflict without victory on either side for decades has proved to be a futile exercise.
When megatons can be converted to megawatts, rationality demands that confrontation should be the least preferred recourse if we are to co-exist as neighbours. There is no conflict in the world that is beyond redemption if two opposing sides concur to iron out the differences across the table.
Today, with the mandate of the Nagas and as desired by our people, NNC/GDRN (N-A) under the banner of WC NNPGs is a party to the successfully concluded political negotiations with the Government of India and awaits the formal signing of the final agreement. We must therefore, not relax from this effort, rather all Nagas must join hands and amicably facilitate the logical conclusion of a negotiated political settlement.
I am confident that the final outcome of agreement will not only ensure the peaceful co-existence of the two entities, but also usher in a new dawn of peace, progress and security in the region that our people have persevered and longed for, against all odds.
At this juncture, I beseech our Naga people across the globe for your continuous prayer support, that, permanent peace and tranquility may prevail in our homeland; and finally we will be able to say that, we have beaten our swords into plowshares.
Kuknalim.
