Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 11
On January 10, 2018 the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) with the blessings of several apex Naga tribal bodies observed the first Naga Day at Khuochiezie or Kohima Local ground. Retrospecting on what had transpired then after five years, Rev Dr Wati Aier, Convenor of FNR remarked that, “We (Nagas) missed a great opportunity that day, a part of our dream and future was chopped off and the Naga story is a sad story of missed opportunities.”
Conceptualised on the expression “Nagas without Borders,” he added that it did not come about out of sheer euphoria. There was a lot of thought that went into it. The day was an attempt to bring socio-cultural healing and reconciliation among the Naga people wherever they lived.
Coincidentally the chosen venue had also been the place where the Naga National Council delegation had its misgivings with then Premier Jawaharlal Nehru and U Nu in 1953.
“Naga Day, unlike an assault on the physical world of anyone, is in the realm of symbolic cultural restoration by spirit of collective imagination,” Rev Aier had written at the time.
However with a sense of regret, it failed in its objective of uniting the Nagas as ‘One People.’ “We were trying to move forward by looking backward,” he remarked.
Why January 10?
To answer as to why January 10 was chosen to celebrate Naga day, Rev Aier stated that several months prior in its September 2017 meeting, FNR had decided to coincide the day with the submission of memorandum to the Simon Commission by the members of the Naga Club on January 10, 1929. “The idea of Naga day did not come from the Simon Commission, we just wanted it coincide with that day”, he noted. The memorandum that had sought to safeguard the rights of the Nagas against all encroachment.
“So we actually expected nearly 50,000 people to show up,” he said. As the day drew nearer however, there were reservations, suspicions and uneasiness prevalent among the Naga political groups which had discouraged people from attending the event. “Had we succeeded that day, we would have been in a much different place right now,” he viewed.
The ongoing Indo-Naga political peace-talks had also been transpiring at that time. These included keen observers who were awaiting the outcome of that historic day as well, he said. The dates for the 2018 Nagaland state assembly elections had yet to be announced then and several individuals wondered as to whether solution was to arrive before it. Fast-forward five years now and the same tune is being played again with cries of ‘Solution before election.’
Future of the Naga people
For Rev Aier, Naga society as a collective whole was still shackled by memories of the past. “We still have a long way to go,” he stated.
Regardless, he feels optimistic for the future as he observes a growing sense of consciousness emanating from the younger generation. “We have to give space for the young people to lead and unite under a common identity,” he suggested.
In addition, Naga Day is still relevant to reignite the aspirations of the people towards peaceful coexistence, growth and respect for one another.
“So in the realm of symbolic, cultural restoration by a spirit of collective imagination. The Naga memory of belonging yearns to listen and be heard and Naga Day is an opportunity to nurture that memory by answering the silence of the present and visioning the hope of the future,” he said.
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