Nagaland: ‘Politics is a noble pursuit’

The Vision of T Sakhrie for a Naga Nation’ by Ahu Sakhrie released 

Morung Express News
Kohima | January 15

 “I have faced life with my father’s story behind me. I have come across people even while studying in Delhi; I came across some Nagas who pointed at me and said, “I was a son of a traitor!” Labu Sakhrie, youngest son of T Sakhrie and one of the co-founders of Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) recalled during the launch of ‘The Vision of T Sakhrie for a Naga Nation’ written by Ahu Sakhrie at The BookHome, Kohima on Saturday afternoon.

The book was posthumously published by PenThrill as its 68th publication was formally released with a prayer by the older sister of the author, Meno Sesa.

Giving insights into the book, Labu Sakhrie also recollected coming across many books written about our past, some praising his father, some hardly mentioning about him, and some condemning him, criticising him and slamming him. He further remembered how most of their uncles rebuked him and his cousin, Ahu Sakhrie saying, “You don’t touch politics. It is death!”

“Some people say that politics is a dirty game but if you go through the ages, through philosophers we get to know that politics is something to do with man—man as a person, man as a good person and man becoming a good citizen and how to make a man good and a good citizen and build a good state, an ideal state,” he explained.

Pointing out that all these are politics, he went on to say that “it is not a dirty game, but a noble pursuit.” He also remarked that “when our people talk politics, they were talking of the good of the people. What would be good for the Naga people, and how this good can bring about a Naga state.”

However, he stated that opinions differ while elaborating that the good of both sides results in a synthesis. “That was what was supposed to happen in our Naga society”, he said and lamented that only one view was presented and the other was not allowed to be presented and was silenced. In this context, he further expressed that, “my father was prevented from exercising his democratic right.”

‘There should be no more animosity or division among people’
However, he made it clear that his intention was not to criticize anyone. He quoted a Russian saying: “The future is certain; it is only the past that is unpredictable”, he went on to say that “the problem is the past. The past is unpredictable and because the past is unpredictable we are facing all kinds of problems today.”

At this point when the past is unpredictable and a point of view is presented so strongly, with reference to ‘The Vision of T Sakhrie for a Naga Nation’ which was earlier printed in the form of a booklet in the year 2006 in commemoration of the 50th death anniversary of T Sakhrie, he said there was a 50-year silence. “So when Ahu’s booklet came out, it was like something sent from heaven to show many people what it was really like,” he put across.

For 50 years, only one side of the picture was presented, he went on to say while recalling how the booklet attracted a lot of attention and made many people happy while some were not. He however affirmed that it was not intended to create division but written with an open mind to see if it can also, in any way heal wounds.

With the publication and release of the book, he added, “I hope and pray that this book will be a channel for bringing about understanding among people. There should be no more animosity, or division among people. We want to be friends with everyone.”

Ahu Sakhrie, he also remarked was “deep inside a very good person, very loving and who was, in totality a good man.”

Dr Kepelhusie Terhüja commented that the book has opened a new chapter for the coming generation. T Sakhrie, he said, also had his shortcomings as a person, but he expressed that “he also did his best for our people.”

“I think that’s the best legacy for us,” he put across while commending Ahu Sakhrie for the boldness in writing the book.

‘Their contribution to Naga story is indisputably immeasurable’
Speaking about “The author-Ahu Sakhrie as I knew him,” Yirmiyan Arthur Yhome recollected her close association with him and expressed, “he was a very serious person that came with experience and knowledge.” He and his contemporaries, she said, “we could call their childhood traumatic, faced and experienced death, preparing funerals of fellow Nagas.”

As co-founders of the NPMHR, she remarked, “they were messengers of the Naga story in that sense” and that, their contribution to the Naga story is indisputably immeasurable. Stating that the author always mentioned his faith in his uncle, T.Sakhrie, she exuded hope that the publication would help us and guide us in our journey forward.

In her publisher’s note, Vishü Rita Krocha remarked that “T Sakhrie is a very well-known name to Nagas as a whole and the indelible legacy he left behind even in his short lifespan will be remembered with or without this book.” However, she said, “the publication of this book also means preserving part of the Naga history that he was so crucially part of. His conviction and commitment to the Naga issue and his political wisdom is evident from the very way he lived as we have heard of and read about.”

Stating confidence that the book would benefit every reader, she further expressed, “to the author’s beloved family, thank you for doing this and also choosing PenThrill to be part of an important Naga history through the publication of this book.”

Earlier, the author’s daughter, Ketoriavi Sakhrie Metsieo chaired the programme. Mention may also be made here that Ahu Sakhrie was an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi and was one of the founders of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) in 1978. He also served as a lecturer at Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung and was subsequently OSD at the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education.

Ahu Sakhrie passed away in July 2016 after a brief illness, leaving behind his wife, three sons and three daughters.

Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/nagaland-politics-is-a-noble-pursuit