Padma Award is for Nagas: Dr. Jamir

November 11, 2021 25 Views No Comment

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, NOV11 (NPN): Former Governor and four-time chief minister and Naga veteran politician, Dr. S.C. Jamir described the Padma Bhushan he received, as an award given to the Naga people for their contributions towards nation building.

Dr. S.C. Jamir, was conferred with Padma Bhushan by Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was presented to him by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind on November 8 at the Durbal Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He said this while speaking to media at his Chümoukedima residence, when asked how he felt about getting the award.

Dr. Jamir explained that the award was in recognition of services he (as a Naga) rendered to both Nagaland and the country spanning over 60 years, starting from the time he became the first Lok Sabha MP (prior to Nagaland statehood, in 1961).

“Whatever is given or awarded is the reflection of the Naga image all these years,” Jamir said.

When asked about his view on the Naga political issue, Dr. Jamir, who has been involved with Naga politics and witnessed the unfolding of Naga politics, said he had been telling the government of India including leaders of both the Naga political groups, that the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015 and the Agreed Position, signed on November 17, 2017 came about due to wisdom and political foresight of the negotiating parties.

He said leaders of both NPGs should be proud of having signed two “very pragmatic” agreements for the benefit of the people of Nagaland and the government of India.

The veteran politician said the NPG leaders should honestly tell Nagas that they should welcome the agreements and in turn, Nagas should welcome the agreements. When asked whether the issue of flag and constitution should be added to the final agreement, Dr. Jamir said if both the agreements (Framework Agreement and Agreed Position), were perused, “nothing has been mentioned about flag and constitution as both are attributes of an Independent sovereign country,” adding he wasn’t going to get into further discussion on the matter.

In his message to the younger generation, Dr. Jamir said he would sincerely and honestly appeal to the young generation to cope with the changing world as they are citizens of the 21st century. He also said the younger generation should try to “design a better future for the people of Nagaland and themselves,”

Earlier on arrival, Dr. Jamir and his wife Mrs. Alemla were accorded an impressive welcome at the airport by hundreds of well-well-wishers dressed in traditional attires.

Speaker NLA Sharingain Longkumer was also among those present to receive Dr. Jamir and his wife. The civic reception was organized by the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur besides various Naga tribes under the aegis of Naga Council Dimapur and also attended by Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation, civil society organisations, Central Nagaland Tribes Council, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Dobashi Union etc.

Dr. Jamir and his wife halted briefly to acknowledged those who had gathered to welcome them with traditional songs. Bouquets and traditional attires were presented to Dr. Jamir and his wife Mrs. Alemla by Naga Council Dimapur, Western Sumi Hoho, NGBF and Watsu Mungdang Dimapur.

In his brief speech at the airport, Dr Jamir called upon the Nagas to stand for truth in order to progress.

He pointed out that Nagas were in dark but with the arrival of Christianity, the forefathers were given a larger responsibility to bring about peace in the land.

As the forefathers chose to live an honest live, Dr. Jamir encouraged the gathering to stand and speak for the truth.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/padma-award-is-for-nagas-dr-jamir/244309.html