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12/16/2011: "On the 1st Overseas Naga Association Conference 2011 Susan Waten Morungexpress"
On the 1st Overseas Naga Association Conference 2011 Susan Waten Morungexpress
The first ever Overseas Naga Association (ONA) conference was held at Orchid Hotel, Kohima, from 6th to 8th December, coinciding with the Hornbill Festival. The small and scattered diaspora that we have all over the world, some 35 to 40 of them came specifically to attend this conference. The Government of Nagaland did provide an aid of rupees one lakh to tide over some of their expenses, though it was strongly felt that the interaction between Nagas living abroad and in the homeland should in fact be institutionalized and concretized from henceforth.
I was fortunate to have attended some of the key sessions and to have been plunged into a sea of meaningful dialogue with people holding diverse perspectives on life. As a friend of ONA, I too genuinely sought to find a connecting link between Nagas abroad and those living in Nagaland. No, it was not simply “intellectual talk” per say, but rather it was crucial interaction that addressed the very core of every Naga caught in the push-n-pull of tradition and modernity. On the one hand, we had Himato Zhimomi, (Indian Foreign Service, the present Commissioner & Secretary, Art & Culture, and Tourism, Nagaland Government) who spoke of progressive socio-political and economic change. And on the other hand, we had Easterine Kire (Writer & Publisher based in Norway) who resisted any “money talk” and spoke of going into the villages in order to put back value into our traditional art practices.
Machutmi Shishak (Economic Officer, US Embassy in Burma, First Secretary (Economic), US Department of State) put forth an “open ended question” as to how Nagas may come back with a wealth of experience and expertise from overseas and invest it back home. He spoke of productive investment, whether of a social or financial nature, to be poured back home. He took the example of his father, Tuisem Shishak, who lived 15 years abroad and established Patkai Christian College in Dimapur. He said, “Regardless of who you are, where you come from, you have a role to play. We have to see ourselves as people God has a purpose for.”
Himato Zhimomi brought to our notice the economic boom in China, where the Chinese living abroad invested heavily in their home country. He thus asked, “Can we be part of the investment that we require here in Nagaland? Is it possible to get some of the investment back in our society?” Sure enough, turning his back on a very senior position in Paris, he came to Nagaland to serve his people and initiate them towards betterment and positive change. Two retired medical practitioners living in the UK, Dr. Tssikhen Kithan and Dr. Longsho Lotha expressed the desire to spend half the year in Nagaland in order to promote health care through mobile medical road shows. They felt the need to educate our people on relevant health issues and to propagate a healthier mind-set and life-style of the people.
My good friend from school, Marina Murray Schilling, a traditional craft entrepreneur from Australia (handcraftedwithheart@gmal.com), showed keen interest in reviving the slowly vanishing traditional arts and handicrafts. Agreeing with Himato Zhimomi that we need global entrepreneurs to market our products, she added, “Our businesses should not be for profit only, or at the expense of innocent villagers. We should do everything with integrity.”
A concern shared by Temsuyanger, the London based artist centered on “tourism” in Nagaland. Looking ahead 20 years from now, he feared a “tsunami effect” that unbridled tourism may have, especially with regard to rural areas. He maintained, “Does Nagaland have any tourist-friendly infra-structure? No! But why do tourists still come here? It’s to see our culture, the way we live in our villages. Our tradition and culture is unique. Yet if we push tourism too rampantly into our villages, we will soon see the effects of social evils that will land us in dirty waters.” Thus speaking about “responsible tourism,” he said that we must not forget our past and where we come from; we need awareness and open intelligent dialogue as Nagas are leaping in terms of time.
Prior to the historic gathering of the ONA members for the conference, most of them were clueless as to where they actually stood in regard to Nagaland. This conference gave them an emotive direction toward concretizing the relationship between Nagas abroad and at home, and the specific areas that they felt competent to invest in. A need was also felt that they should engage with people in a more concrete manner through the government machinery. Credit goes to Dr. Visier Sanyu (ONA President & Refugee Coordinator, Act for Peace, Melbourne, Australia), Dr. Paul Pimomo (ONA General Secretary & Professor of English, Central Washington University, USA) and other significant ONA members who worked relentlessly to make this conference a reality, and a very enriching one at that.
Susan Waten - HAWA, Dimapur (susanwaten@gmail.com)
A Story From Nagaland
by Barbara Crossette • December 11, 2011 • Asia, Human Rights • 0 Comments
It is a very long trip to the Indian Northeast, a singular region connected to the rest of the country by a mere strip of land that skirts Bangladesh. Few foreigners go to the area or get to know its ethnically distinct people. So for Athili Sapriina, a local human-rights advocate, it was also a long journey from his base in Nagaland, one of the seven Northeastern states, to Columbia University. The road led through the United Nations.
Sapriina, a leader of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, has spent the fall semester at the Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia. As one of 14 participants in the institute’s Human Rights Advocates Program this year, he attended classes and workshops teaching skills from public speaking and fund-raising to stress management. In between, he also met with human-rights organizations based in New York and Washington.
Many outsiders are aware of the separatist movements in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir because of Pakistan’s involvement in helping to fuel what was at heart an ethnic and cultural campaign for the autonomy of a formerly independent princely state. The ethnic politics of the Indian Northeast are more complicated, with a myriad of armed and unarmed movements in the area. But generally their struggles are as old as that of the Kashmiris on the other side of India. They share the sense of being under occupation by the Indian military and a central government far away in New Delhi.
Naga Voices Are Heard
What they have lacked is access to an international audience and world opinion to make their cases. A UN forum and help from private supporters is gradually changing that, aided by communications networks they can be trained to use effectively. The Nagas are now in the loop.
A Naga woman in Chingmei village in India dressed with typical adornments for a native festival. WALTER CALLENS/FLICKR
“Nagas were never part of India,” Sapriina said in an interview, so secession is not what they want. For them, the issue is that Nagas inhabit a wider region than the Indian state of Nagaland, so they want to unite their communities in a homeland in the section where India, China and Burma meet.
“Nagas are saying there is no way to peace if the Nagas are not integrated physically,” Sapriina said, echoing the pleas of numerous other ethnic communities around the world divided by colonialism or the creation of modern nation-states.
India has been adamant, since the end of British rule in 1947, that a Greater Nagaland will never happen. The current Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, said that unequivocally again this month on a visit to the restive region, after Nagas in the neighboring state of Manipur mounted a series of economic blockades to protest not only Indian policies but also the incursion over decades of another ethnic group. A recent paper of the Institute of Conflict Management, an Indian think tank in New Delhi, called it an “ethnic turf war.”
Inroads Through the UN
Sapriina and the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights have never taken part in violent rebellion, though other Nagas have, he said. The human-rights campaign has always been one based on Gandhian civil disobedience, he said.
It was through its links to regional and international human-rights groups – Sapriina was a founder of the Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Network — that he made several journeys to New York, culminating at Columbia. In Nagaland, where many local people are Christians, Catholic and Protestant, human-rights advocates have also won support from the Baptist World Alliance and other groups.
Athili Sapriina, a human-rights advocate for the Naga people in India.
When a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was created at the UN in 2002, it offered Sapriina the chance to meet many other activists from around the world. He could also engage with the UN special rapporteur on indigenous issues and officials in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The forum is now an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council, where Sapriina is a delegate from Tribal Link, a nongovernmental organization in New York, founded in 1993 by Pamela Kraft, which provides a global communications network for indigenous people. Tribal Link also supports the attendance of indigenous people at UN events and offers capacity-building courses in cooperation with the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Sapriina says he is returning to Nagaland, where he has a wife and a 2-year old daughter, with a commitment to developing an effective media campaign.
“Today I feel the urgent need of engaging the local media,” he said in a recent paper he wrote describing the Naga cause. “I feel there is nothing more important than an objective media, which helps promote open dialogue to address even the most difficult problems between nations and peoples.”
He also goes home with an invaluable book of contacts and many new friends.
Tags: Institute for the Study of Human Rights, Naga people, Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Tribal Link
About Barbara Crossette
Barbara Crossette is the United Nations correspondent for The Nation. She was the UN bureau chief for The New York Times from 1994 to 2001 and earlier its chief correspondent in Southeast Asia and South Asia. She is the author of "So Close to Heaven: The Vanishing Buddhist Kingdoms of the Himalayas," "The Great Hill Stations of Asia" and a Foreign Policy Association study, "India: Old Civilizations in a New World." Crossette won the George Polk award for her coverage in India of the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 and the 2010 Shorenstein Prize for her writing on Asia. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a trustee of the Carnegie Council on Ethics in Foreign Affairs.
Centre seeks alternate highway to Manipur
NEW DELHI, Dec 14: Concerned over the recent 100-day economic blockade in Manipur, the Union Home Ministry has sought urgent strengthening of a highway which could be used as an alternative route to the State in case a similar strike takes place in future.
Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Paban Singh Ghato-war said Union Home Ministry has asked for urgent strengthening of NH-37 between Imphal and Badarpur in Assam to blunt capabilities of militant groups to stop supply of essential commodities to Manipur.
“It has been informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs that NH 2 is prone to frequent bandhs and economic blockades. There- fore, urgent strengthening of NH 37 between Imphal and Badarpur, as an alternative Highway has become essential,” he told Lok Sabha, replying to a question.
The United Naga Council had lifted its 100-day economic blockade of the national highways on November 28.
The blockade had caused severe hardships to people of the State and resulted in skyrocketing prices of essential commodities as the supply chain was blocked.
The UNC had launched the blockade on August 21 to protest against signing of an agreement between State Government and Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) under which the Govt agreed to grant Kuki majority Sadar Hills in Naga majority Senapati district the status of a full-fledged revenue district.
About transport infrastructure projects in the region, Ghatowar said the government was working on several projects to upgrade road, rail and aerial connectivity to the region. Sangai
Naga customary laws come under scrutiny
Our Correspondent | EMN
KOHIMA, DEC 14: The general perception about Naga women enjoying equal status with men and being much better off than the women in the rest of the country seems to be a misleading notion as the reality of the status of women in the State remains grim with Naga Women having no right to inheritance, land, property and no access to land resources.
The Naga customary laws were a question of intense debate and discussion at the seminar held here today even as emphasis was thrown on representation of women in decision making.
Rosemary Dzüvichü, Advisor to Naga Mothers’ Association, while thoroughly deliberating on ‘Laws and Policies in furthering women’s empowerment in Nagaland & 33% Women Reservation Struggles and Challenges’ strongly maintained that successive governments in the State have been unfriendly to women empowerment. Over 40 years of statehood and there has been no woman in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, wherein she indicated that unless we have a woman sitting at the government level, promotion of woman will be futile.
She also said Article 317 (A) has been the biggest stumbling block in empowering women, although she stated that the Article which guarantees protection of Naga rights, our land and resources is good. She felt that when it comes to discriminatory customary practices, it has been made a law here.
Dzüvichü further observed that the very fact that Naga women do not have access to land and property means that even when it comes to the agri sector, economy or industry, the banking scene in Nagaland is very unfriendly as women cannot mortgage for lack of property. Also, she pointed out that due to the unwritten customary laws we have had varied interpretations and with village judiciary comprising only of men, it is very difficult for women to get sincere judgment. In this regard, she made mention of the rape case in Mokokchung.
She also pointed to the several loopholes in the many policies for women empowerment which prevent women from enjoying the benefits while specifically referring to the Village Development Board which is seen as a lifeline of development funds and clearly states that 1/4th will constitute women and accordingly 1/4th of funds will go to women. However, while there are success stories where some VDBs have really done well, she said in majority of the VDBs, including prominent villages, women representation is only on paper where they do not have any idea of the annual grants.
Stating that the government of Nagaland has envisaged a number of programmes in line with the national policy for empowering women, she however asserted that the government needs to seriously assess and see how much promotion of women is actually taking place. Citing several instances of women being deprived of their rights with issues related to health, education, economy, or protection of women, she lamented that even though NRHM and HIV/AIDS concerns seem to be in place, there is rampant corruption with unbalanced distribution of PHCs, also seen in the lack of labour rooms, non-existence of incubators, etc. She also referred to case of preferential payment for institutional delivery wherein a mother who delivered a baby boy was paid Rs 500 while the other with a girl child was given Rs 300 on the same day.
She maintained that the whole owner of failure in empowering women is the successive state governments, but also held that changes are taking place and strongly asserted that empowerment of women is possible only with the cooperation of the government.
Meanwhile, with the court’s favour on 33% Reservation for Women in civic bodies, she disclosed that they are in the last stages of identifying potential, educated and good women candidates to contest in the elections scheduled for early next year. However, with HSLC examination coming up in February, it was learnt that they were requested to postpone it to April. In this regard, the Joint Action Committee has accepted the proposal and accordingly, 30th April, 2012 has been set as the final date for completion of elections in all the municipalities.
In her keynote address, Member Planning Commission Dr Syeda Hameed said though Naga women are seen to be among the strongest and most empowered in the country, when it is looked at sector by sector, the reality is different. She categorically stated that the biggest shock is the performance in the health sector while referring to the various instances of health issues pointed out by the NMA Advisor earlier.
However, she said the seminar on women representation in decision making is a timely effort while stating that anything substantial from the meeting would be included in the 12th five year plan from 2012 to 2017.
As a member of the Commission looking after issues of women and children, health, handloom and handicraft sector, etc, she informed that she was here to get a bird’s eye view of everything. “Your importance is not any the less. The Prime Minister himself is concerned, and I have come with his mandate…a good opportunity to listen and gather all the impressions,” she stated.
In the meantime, she commended the North East Network, which has established its identity in Chizami under Phek district, and lauded their ability, interest and involvement.
She further acknowledged the struggle of the Naga women in order to get reservation despite it being their right while observing that the issue of women in decision making has been very tough all over the country. She added that should realise that this is equally their issue since agriculture, households, etc, are issues that concern both man and woman.
Members present included Dr Anita Agnihotri, National Commission for Women, New Delhi, Chairperson for Nagaland State Women Commission, Sano Vamuzo, Abeni, SWC, Monalisa Changkija, Editor & Publisher of Nagaland Page, and representatives from various Tribal Women Organisations including Youth Net. EMN
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) in collaboration with the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) Nagaland will be undertaking a project on Right to Information (RTI) on government recruitments and appointments made during the last two years.
The main objective of the project is to ensure transparency in government recruitments and appointments in various government departments, a press communiqué issued by NSF president Kelhouneizo Yhome informed.
It was further informed that the government departments will be asked two specific queries - appointments made in the last 2 years at various levels in government departments and the mode of recruitment, whether through the aegis of NPSC or through proper interviews. The NSF will also seek information on the incumbency list of the government employees at various levels including vacant posts. The date of birth of the incumbents will also be sought. On this, the NSF asserted that using of computerised database it is possible to project the vacancies arising out of retirements on monthly, yearly basis or for any period of time.
The NSF has urged all government departments to cooperate and coordinate with the Federation so as to instil transparency and fairness in recruitments and appointments in government departments. The Federation sought to make it clear that it is serious about the project and will not hesitate to initiate its own course of action if any Department failed to oblige with the matter. EMN
RESOLUTIONS OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE UNC, TRIBE PRESIDENTS, REGIONAL PRESIDENTS AND FRONTAL ORGANISATIONS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES HELD AT TAHAMZAM(SENAPATI) ON THE 15TH DECEMBER, 2011.
The above meeting was convened by the United Naga Council with a view to strengthen the people’s movement for alternative arrangement, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue, by securing the participation and ownership of every Naga. The meeting was attended the BJP, MSCP, MPTC, NPF and PDA. We are for forwarding herewith the resolutions adopted therein for favour of kind publication/coverage in your esteemed daily/channel.
With warm regards
Publicity Wing
United Naga Council
THE NAGA IN BURMA
The Naga in Burma are found mainly in the Sagaing Division of Burma, which borders Chin State in the south, Shan State in the east, Kachin State in the north and Manipur, Arunachal, Nagaland and Manipur states of India in the west. There are 23 Naga tribes in Burma. They are:
1. Anal
2. Cheru
3. Chirr
4. Dikhiri
5. Heimi/Tangsa/Pangmi
6. Kengu
7. Khiumnungan
8. Konyak
9. Lamkang
10. Lainung
11. Makury/Makory
12. Mayon
13. Namshik
14. Nocte
15. Pakang
16. Para
17. Phellungri
18. Phom
19. Rangpan
20. Saplo
21. Shangpuri
22. Tangkhul
23. Yimchunger
The Nagas in Burma live in 229 villages in Sagaing Division and in Kachin State with a population estimated to be around 500,000. In Sagaing division, they inhabit seven Townships and Tanai Township in Kachin State.
1 Layshi Sagaing Division Tangkhul, Makury, Para, Yimchunger, and Kikhiri.
2 Khanti Sagaing Division Kengu, Chirr, Konyak, Khiumnungan, Lainung, Tangkhul etc.
3 Homlin Sagaing Division Tangkhul, Makury, Nimshik, Lamkang etc
4 Lahe Sagaing Division Konyak, Khiumnungan, Lainung, Phom, Saplo,
5 Nanyung Sagaing Division Heimi, Pangmi, Rangpan, Cheru, and Pakang.
6 Tamu Sagaing Division Tangkhul, Anal, Lamkang
7 Khampat Sagaing Division Pongoo*, Paingu*
8 Tanai Kachin State Heimi, Konyak, Khaklak, Tangan
* Over a period of time, these two tribes have now assimilated with the larger dominating Shan group.
** Over a period of time, these two tribes have now assimilated with the larger dominating Kachin group.
Source: Naga Youth Organization, Burma
Lahe town in Burma - Photo by Mark AJ. -Lahe town in Burma
Media Bias – Still holding impact By- Subhasys Das Times of Assam
It is indeed strange the Media houses of Assam can be so forgetful and ignorant at times. When the newspaper reported the news about the notorious Lebu, accused of extorting money in Arabinda Rajkhowa’s shadow, no emphasis was given to the most important facts. First of all who this Lebu was, – he is the same person, once a key man of Paresh Baruah and a co-coordinator between the ULFA and Government of Bangladesh till he was arrested in 1997 in Mumbai along with Dr. Brajen Gogoi and ULFA Cultural Secretary Pranati Deka. The identity itself was completely ignored and missleaded. Nowhere it was mentioned that this Lebu’s real name is Phanidhar Medhi. Indeed the media had no information about the Lebu, assuming the surrendered one from Nagaon the reports were publicized. By creating hype around a no-issue, the newspaper successfully allowed everyone to involve in a petty debate. Not only was this a waste of time and energy, it also allowed public attention to divert from major issues to petty issues, in fact reportedly a false one as claimed by Arabinda Rajkhowa later.
Similarly, the newspapers made immense cry over the alleged SUPRA state model the NSCN was reported to have achieved from the central Government for creation and domination of a greater Nagalim. However the same media and media personnel are found never to raise any word for or against the demands of so many statehoods either out of Assam or from neighboring states. As media is the major driver of public attention and opinion, any stand should be genuine, yet it is not be found in our media of Assam.
What is Manipur's future rediff.com | Sumit Bhattacharya
For someone not used to living with insurgency, Manipur is a different world. Everything you take for granted -- like electricity, Internet, ATMs, cell network -- needs a recheck.
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"India is looking east from Delhi and Calcutta," says Irengbam Arun, editor of the Manipuri daily Ireibak. "While they should be looking east, west, north, south by standing in the northeast. It's the big industrialist in Delhi or Calcutta that is looking east. They look upon the northeast simply is a transit point."
The problem is also of legitimacy, Babloo Loitongbam points out. In 2006, Dr Singh assured the people of the northeast that his government would replace the Armed Forces Special Powers Act with a 'more humane law'. Five years later, when he visited Manipur on December 3, he made no mention of the AFSPA at all.
"A former governor told me that the hill leaders did not want it (ADCs) and the people were demanding it," says Pradeep Phanjoubam, editor of the Imphal Free Press. "When the ADC elections were held the Nagas suddenly stood up (against it). So I think that protest was a proxy protest by the (outlawed) NSCN-IM (Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland Isaac-Muivah faction) which doesn't want to dilute its claims for a Greater Nagalim.
"A few years ago, some people from (South) Korea came here," he explains. "And they said it's very much like Korea 30 years ago. Although the non-government sector (employees) are still very poor, that work culture is there. If there is a larger policy to nurture them they can really grow. And they will be the saviours, not the government sector. The government sector is already saturated."
Of social and political science – The epic failure of Naga politician Eno. Imti John
One can easily judge a tree by its fruits. The fruit of the Naga Political Tree is alarmingly becoming injurious to the growth of Nagaland, and the very trunk of it is nearing collapse. Is it that the wrong seeds are being sowed in the right soil and vice versa? The political games being played by our leaders today have entangled themselves in a web of dishonesty and unscrupulous dealings, further making themselves captives of their own devices.
Money and gun power is the leadership of today. The question is, how or who will pull Nagaland out from this predicament? Is the problem created by the top to bottom political elements?
The creator God took the man (Adam) and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it and live off the land through his laborious pursuits (Genesis 2:15, O.T). The man worked the garden and reaped the fruits but was weak enough to easily let the evil intrude the paradise of his existence which ultimately made him accountable to God and thus he had to face the wrath as a consequence of not fulfilling his responsibilities.
Such is the situation prevailing in our land today. Nagaland is simmering and crawling under the growing politics of sub-standard, uncommitted, undedicated politicians. Whom to blame? Pointing fingers and blame shifting will never solve the problem. Heartfelt and genuine politics should emerge and equip the value-based educated men & women to cope adequately with life, with what lies ahead of him/her so as to create the leader in the adventure of life for all round-political, social, spiritual and economic upliftment.
Time and generation urges for an updated dimension of political streamlining to redeem Nagaland from the suicidal politics of politicians. It is really disappointing that this kind of politics has been forcibly developed and the real and the true politics of redemption is lacking. Vested interests alongside wolf-in –sheep clothing politics does more harm than good in the long run.
In Nagaland, there are political groups/parties and leaders without followers or supporters in reality and yet political powers are multiplying. The multiple Naga National Nomenclatures are also changing day and night. Nowhere in the world, except in Nagaland, could any group of people declare itself as the governing authority, or Government, truly these seems to be a brand of uniqueness of the Nagas.
The saddest truth of today’s politics is the presence of Anti-Nagaland forces. Every right thinking citizen should realize that we have given too much time and money to the formation of factions, Hohos, parties and committees, unions and too little time to their ends, achievements and values. The Naga politicians are in a way very successful in their personal goals, enjoying the public chair without any vestige of achievements for their land.
The Naga politicians are excessively brave and shameless to amass and launder public wealth without bothering about the consequences of their deeds today for tomorrow. They act and live as if they are going to live forever in this uncertain and short lived world. On the other side, the bureaucrats are also timidly and habitually following the money power addicted and Gonda-like leaders and too reluctant to withdraw their support towards such extremely corrupted leaders, withholding from speaking out the truth for their children’s future.
Dear fellow Nagas, let us love one another not by policies but by action. Let us try to do something for helping out a Naga. At the same time let us also cease wasting our precious lives and time for such a non-achievable goals. Let us be wise and be watchful because the days are full of wickedness, deceit, treachery and unwise addiction to worldliness. True Nationalism and patriotism are not for sale nor can it be purchased. Our motherland (Nagaland) is crying for repentance of her people from this sinful existence.
The blood of Abel cried out for vengeance. Cain had no concrete reason to murder his brother nor did Joseph’s brothers to sell their brother to stranger. Leaders who are stained with their own people’s blood will never win the battle nor become leaders in the true sense of leadership. They can only create conspiracies and be known as conspirators till the end of their lives which defeats the very purpose of them being elected to be the leaders with a conscience. The money-loving and pleasure-seeking leaders will make their land into Sodom & Gomorrah.
We know that Cain murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy. If a man belonging to a faction/party is killed and another man belonging to another faction or party derives satisfaction from such killings, he becomes a partner in murder. God commanded us to compete in good works, refraining from bad deeds. Nagas could maintain non-violence with the aggressor/invaders but so mistakenly use violence causing loss, enmity, barriers amongst our own people and community.
The discouraging fact of our Naga society is that the leaders are in wants of crores whereas the common people are in need of a rupee. What chasmic divide between the leaders and the followers as well as “the haves and have not” that burns Nagaland in reality. As a most basic patriotic approach and essential need of the hour, let us all try to forgive and forget the negative part of what we have done and move forward, converging on the table of “Brotherhood” and in obedience to God, let us hold the banner of “Nagaland for Christ” to let our Nagaland be a harbinger for goodness for India and for the rest of the world.
It is my sincere hope that these words spoken find resonance with my fellow Nagas.
THE UNFLINCHING COMMITMENT OF THE YOUTH OF NAGALAND
1. Don’t ever try to go beyond limits even if you have money and ruling power. Because there is always a limit for everything under heaven.
2. Nagaland is Naga’s land. Nagas of Nagaland shall in no way wage war against neighboring states on annexation or encroachment of land
3. Youth of Nagaland will sacrifice and die for the sake of peace and brotherhood among different communities of the world.
4. Naga youth will not kill anybody but will give life for justice’s sake.
5. “Justice redeems” is the Nagas’ message to the world.
6. Youth of Nagaland will sacrifice and Volunteer for the establishment of a Unique and Righteous Government on Naga Soil.
7. Youth of Nagaland shall uphold the :HOLY BIBLE” as the greatest Book in the world as well as the “Book of Life”.
8. Naga youth will uphold the tenet of: “If you do not work, you should not eat> And do not go after money but let the money come after you”.
9. One day Nagas will make India, a part of Nagaland as well as Nagaland a “Cornerstone of India”
10. Naga youth will steadfastly uphold the “Integrity of India”
SOME ANSWERABLE QUESTIONS:
1. Can anyone capture or bring the whole of Nagas living in different countries or states under a particular/dictatorial political party?
2 Under whose dictate or policy – Greater Nagalim or Supra- State is proposed?
3 Under whose mandate, or when Nagaland changed into Nagalim?
4 Under whose plan or policy “Nagaland People’s Front” has manipulated into (1) Naga People’s Front of Manipur (2) Naga People’s Front of Arunachal and (3) Naga People’s Front of Assam? Then why not Naga People’s Front of Mynmar?
5 Can the common people/public of Nagaland continue to live under the treats/command of existing multi-Govts, like (i) NSCN/GPRN (ii) NNC Federal Govt of Nagaland (iii) State Govt. of Nagaland (India) (iv) Naga National Govt.(NNG)?
6 Which of the two Independence Day will be permanent and real Independence Day for the Nagas? 14th or 15th August, 1947?
7 Will Nagas of Nagaland accept Socialism rather than Democracy?
8 Which one Nagas will give importance to? Nagaland for Christ OR Nagaland, a Land of Festivals?
Eno. Imti John Founder Director: Reformation Front of Nagaland
Youth Life Moulding Center Based: Dimapur, Nagaland
Garo organizations elated to be part of Naga society
DIMAPUR,
:
The Garo Students Union (GSU) Tura along with Nagaland zone visited the just concluded Hornbill Festival at Kisama, Kohima on December 7.
The team visited the Garo ‘Nokpante’ (Morung) put up during the Hornbill Festival at Kisama and were elated to have been a part of the “great Naga society”
In this regard, the Nagaland Garo Tribal Council (NGTC), Garo Mothers’ Association (GMA) and Garo Student Union Nagaland Zone (GSUNZ) have expressed gratitude to chief minister Neiphiu Rio for allotment of site and also for personal donation towards the construction of ‘Nokpante’.
The Garo organizations also appreciated chief minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma and union minister of state for rural development, Agatha K. Sangma for financial and material support, Doshehe Y Sema, minister of power and election, government of Nagaland, GSU central executive committee, Dokakhu Arts and Cultural Association, Tura Meghalaya, Gokul Marak of Dubagaon village for constructing of the ‘Nokpante’.
‘Misinterpreted customary laws subjugated Naga women’ morungexpress
Dimapur, (MExN): The misinterpretation of customary laws and translation of it at whim are one of the chief reasons Naga women have been brought to subordination in modern times, discussions during a recent seminar in Kohima widely agrees.
The seminar was organized by the North East Network (NEN) and held at Hotel Orchid in Kohima. The seminar was themed “Women’s Representation in decision making process in Nagaland” was sponsored by the National Commission for Women.
Advisor to the Naga Mother’s Association Rosemary Dzuvichu presented an overarching framework of the reservation issue and how the struggle was won after many hardships and impediments. She had argued that the perception that Naga women are more empowered compared to women of mainstream India is a myth and has acted as a shield in preventing attention being drawn to their problems. They do not own property rights, hold no stake in land and are marginalized in the decision making process. Women’s health and education are in bad shape and government schemes like the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) are inadequate in dealing with the peculiar nature of women’s problems. Most often, severe crimes like rape are trivialized by resorting to customary laws. Thus, it is very important that Naga women wake up from their slumber and demand equality with men.
Member of Planning Commission Dr. Syeda Hameed, was vocal in highlighting that every issue is peculiar and has its own requirements which must be addressed differently. Gender equality is no exception and requires a collaborative effort from both men and women. Men must not think that the reservation issue is a women’s issue and does not concern them, she said. She also stressed that Nagaland has not had one woman legislator in so many years. Since it is customary laws that are at stake, the issue is contentious and must be handled with utmost sensitivity.
Monalisa Changkija, Editor and Publisher of Nagaland Page, argued that it is misinterpretation of customary laws that has acted as a key instrument in the subordination of women in modern times. Although Panchayati Raj Institutions under the 73rd Amendment are not implemented in Nagaland, in their place, the Nagaland State Assembly has enacted several Nagaland Village Empowering Laws such as the Nagaland Village Councils Act, 1978, The Nagaland Village Councils Rules, 1979, The Village Development Boards Model Rules, 1980, the Nagaland Communitization of Public Institutions and Services Act, 2002, etc., for the purpose of administrations and development and these laws and rules do not specify the exclusion of women from village councils. She also highlighted that all village councils under these Village Empowering Laws are co-opted as integral part of the state’s governance and are funded by the Government hence women cannot be excluded from actively participating in these village councils. Traditional village councils do not receive government funding.
Lawyer and Human rights activist Vrinda Grover opined that it is a daunting task to comprehend the complexities of the contradiction between customary and constitutional laws. According to Article 13 of the Indian Constitution, anything inconsistent with the fundamental rights will not be applicable like customary laws. However, under Article 371(A), Nagaland’s customary laws cannot be challenged. Thus, Naga women get entrapped in a vicious circle of patriarchal interests and law becomes a cog in the wheel.
Dr. Monisha Behal, chairperson of the network, stressing that in order to successfully implement the 33% reservation of women in Nagaland, it is very important for the media, civil society and government to “come together.” She also said that the time is ripe for Naga women to bring about positive social change.
While the day was marked by heated discussions and pertinent questions were raised by many participants, it was recognized that women are both the biggest support as well as the biggest obstacle in their development. It is thus necessary to unite Naga women across borders and move on from this position. We must remember that nothing has ever come free for women and nor will it ever. So the battle has just begun.
