Tributes to Founding Fathers of Nagaland Statehood

Naga Republic News

The 58^th Statehood Day of Nagaland was celebrated on December 01, 2020 at Raj Bhavan Kohima. Rich tributes were paid to the Founding Fathers of Nagaland – the leaders of the Naga Peoples’ Convention and all those martyrs who sacrificed their life for securing the honourable future for the Naga people and created Nagaland as the 16^th State of the Union of India, informed a press note issued by PRO Raj Bhavan Kohima

. 

(Left to Right) Lady Wife of Chief Minister Kaisa Rio, Lady Wife of Governor Laxmi Ravi, Governor RN Ravi, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Padma Bhushan Dr. SC Jamir who is the only surviving member of Naga Peoples’ Convention (NPC) during the unveiling ceremony of the Bust of Dr. Imkongliba Ao at Raj Bhavan Kohima on 1st December 2020.

A memorial to commemorate the contributions of the Founding Fathers and the Martyrs was inaugurated in the Lawns of Dr.Imkongliba Ao Hall, Raj Bhavan with unveiling a magnificent bust of Dr.Imkongliba Ao, the President, Naga Peoples’ Convention who was martyred soon. Family members of the NPC leaders were felicitated by the Governor.

Padma Bhushan Dr.S.C.Jamir, the sole surviving leader of the Naga Peoples’ Convention graced the occasion with his presence. He recollected the intricacies of over three years of hard work during which the Naga leaders under the Presidentship of Dr.Imkongliba Ao mobilised the Nagas under extremely trying circumstances. He said that Nagaland State became a legitimate member of the Indian Union through Divine intervention when the All loving God looked at the Naga people who were wandering in the midst of chaos and pulled them out of it.

Governor RN Ravi paying floral tribute after unveiling the Bust of Dr. Imkongliba Ao at Raj Bhavan Kohima on 1st December 2020.

He asserted that successive Governments and MLAs in the last 57 years have taken oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India. The Constitutional Provisions on Nagaland is the fountainhead for Nagas and it shouldn’t be muddied by anyone. Unfortunately some people who were nowhere to be seen during the critical periods of Naga history are now unrealistically muddying the fountainhead. While paying tribes to Dr.Imkongliba Ao, he exhorted the Nagas to unite and move forward alongwith the rest of the Country.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extended Statehood greetings to the people of the State and paid tributes to Dr.Imkongliba Ao the architect of Nagaland State. He recalled the progress made by the State in various fields and stated the commitment of the State Government to the Seven-Point resolution adopted by the consultative meeting of October 15, 2020 wherein all stakeholders of Naga Society unanimously resolved to support for “One Solution”.

Governor Nagaland R. N. Ravi while extending warm statehood greetings to the people of the State paid rich tributes to the leaders of Naga Peoples’ Convention and countless Nagas whose blood, sweat and sacrifices created the Nagaland State. He stated that the leaders of Naga Peoples’ Convention through a peaceful democratic process for over three years and intensely extensive socio-political churning of Naga Society helped crystallize the free-will of the Naga people on their political future. They united the Nagas living in Assam and NEFA.

Governor RN Ravi, Lady Wife Laxmi Ravi, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Lady Wife Kaisa Rio, Padma Bhushan Dr. SC Jamir and dignitaries during the unveiling ceremony of the Bust of Dr. Imkongliba Ao at Raj Bhavan Kohima on 1st December 2020.

Governor Ravi  added that Nagas, through centuries, have been a freedom loving people. They have fiercely resisted any attempt of encroachment on their way of life. The bold and farsighted NPC leaders secured the people of Nagaland their freedom from any interference in their way of life including customs, cultures, traditions, religion, system of justice and land and resources through a Constitutional safeguard. While felicitating the family members of the NPC leaders he hailed them as the true heroes of Nagaland.

Governor lamented that the people of Nagaland have not yet been able to fully enjoy the fruits of statehood due to some people, mostly from outside the State, who in pursuance of a perverse political ideology, are creating roadblocks to enduring peace in the State. These people have been peddling preposterous lies to mislead the people.

While unveiling the magnificent bust of Dr.Imkongliba Ao he urged the people of Nagaland to renew their sense of gratitude to the Founding Fathers and commit themselves to build a Nagaland of their dreams where genius of the Naga people will blossom to the fullest.  

Governor RN Ravi, Lady Wife Laxmi Ravi, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Lady Wife Kaisa Rio, Padma Bhushan Dr. SC Jamir and the family members of Naga Peoples’ Council (NPC) members during the unveiling ceremony of Dr. Imkongliba Ao at Raj Bhavan Kohima on 1st December 2020.

The family members and officials of the Naga Peoples’ Convention were felicitated by the Governor and Smti Laxmi Ravi during the occasion.   Sorei Keishing, a professional sculptor who designed and sculpted the bust was acknowledged by Governor during the function as well. Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Sharingain Longkumer, Deputy Chief Minister, Y.Patton, Minister, Higher Education & Tribal Affairs, Temjen Imna Along, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) K G Kenye were among the present.

Tali Longkumer, IAS(Retd.), son of Dr Imkongliba Ao also attended the programme. Rev. T.W.Yamyap Konyak, State Chaplain pronounced the invocation prayer and welcome address was delivered by Jane Alam, IAS, Chief Secretary, Nagaland.

Source: PRO Raj Bhavan Kohima