Respected Bampi, Honorable Pastor, Meriema Baptist Church, my dear colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen we are gathered here today remembering and honoring the occasion to offer respect in prayer to our national heroes like Brig. Balhou Shüya and many others who gave their all for the Naga Nation, following the death of Zasibito Nagi on 18th October 1952.
At the outset, let us all give thanks to Almighty God for His unceasing grace that has sustained our nation and our people to this day amid all shortcomings of our people.
History repeats itself: 59 years ago, on this day, the 18th October 1952, our people took up a peaceful silent procession in protest against misbehaviours of Indian armed forces in our land, where a provocative Indian Intelligence officer Capt. Varic by name arrogantly rode his motor cycle into the crowd in procession and knocked down a woman creating disturbance in the procession. Taking advantage of the commotion, another trigger happy officer named Mr. Dutt, shot his pistol and killed Zasibito Nagi who became the first martyr for Nagaland.
India invaded Nagaland on war footing in 1954 and an undeclared war began against our people who stood in defense of our homeland. Thousands of heroic defenders of Nagaland suffered untold misery and humiliations by sacrificing their all and died in the hands of mighty Indian armed forces. Nevertheless their sacrifice saved and enabled us to stand as a People and as a Nation today. They were our National Heroes and will be remembered throughout in the annals of Naga history.
They died defending Nagaland, so that our land remains with us, our unmatched tradition and culture preserved for posterity with the objective that we may be man among men and Nation among Nations which has been the objective of the Naga National Council and the Federal Government of Nagaland and it will be so by upholding the Yehzabo (constitution) of Nagaland.
Friends it is our duty and responsibility today that we the living take care from this day onward and hold high the banner of their victory.
Taking this graceful occasion, I on behalf of the Federal Government of Nagaland pay my heartfelt tribute to all Martyrs who laid down their precious lives for our nation and for us, as the Bible says: ‘greater love hath no man than this that a man laid down his life for his friends’ – (St. John 15:13). In deed their sacrifices enabled our Nation to stand today. Any by God’s Grace we shall attain their goal sooner than later.
May God bless Nagaland.
Kuknalim
At the outset, let us all give thanks to Almighty God for His unceasing grace that has sustained our nation and our people to this day amid all shortcomings of our people.
History repeats itself: 59 years ago, on this day, the 18th October 1952, our people took up a peaceful silent procession in protest against misbehaviours of Indian armed forces in our land, where a provocative Indian Intelligence officer Capt. Varic by name arrogantly rode his motor cycle into the crowd in procession and knocked down a woman creating disturbance in the procession. Taking advantage of the commotion, another trigger happy officer named Mr. Dutt, shot his pistol and killed Zasibito Nagi who became the first martyr for Nagaland.
India invaded Nagaland on war footing in 1954 and an undeclared war began against our people who stood in defense of our homeland. Thousands of heroic defenders of Nagaland suffered untold misery and humiliations by sacrificing their all and died in the hands of mighty Indian armed forces. Nevertheless their sacrifice saved and enabled us to stand as a People and as a Nation today. They were our National Heroes and will be remembered throughout in the annals of Naga history.
They died defending Nagaland, so that our land remains with us, our unmatched tradition and culture preserved for posterity with the objective that we may be man among men and Nation among Nations which has been the objective of the Naga National Council and the Federal Government of Nagaland and it will be so by upholding the Yehzabo (constitution) of Nagaland.
Friends it is our duty and responsibility today that we the living take care from this day onward and hold high the banner of their victory.
Taking this graceful occasion, I on behalf of the Federal Government of Nagaland pay my heartfelt tribute to all Martyrs who laid down their precious lives for our nation and for us, as the Bible says: ‘greater love hath no man than this that a man laid down his life for his friends’ – (St. John 15:13). In deed their sacrifices enabled our Nation to stand today. Any by God’s Grace we shall attain their goal sooner than later.
May God bless Nagaland.
Kuknalim
