Permanent peace in Nagaland tops NDPP agenda: Abu Metha

Our Correspondent

Kohima | November 13

Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) secretary general Abu Metha today said that the top agenda of the NDPP is to bring permanent peace in Nagaland and to achieve early resolution of the Indo-Naga political problem, to facilitate towards achievement of a solution that is honourable, acceptable, transparent and good for the progress of Nagaland.

Addressing the joint consultative meeting of the Central Youth Organization (CYO) of NDPP here today, Metha said that NDPP has a vision not only to stand for Naga rights, Naga traditions, Naga aspirations, “but our ambition is also to bring progress through partnership and collaborations.”

“That is why the NDPP is part of the National Democratic Alliance, the North East Democratic Alliance. We are contributing members of the National Democratic Alliance,” he said.

He said that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is working closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the national government.

Before our (NDPP) formation and before our party coming to government, there was turmoil, semblance of chaos, instability, uncertainty, but with the blessings of God and the support of the people, when our government came to power, there was peace, there was stability, he said.

He said that the NDPP was formed “because there was a cry from all sections of the Naga people for a new political organization to bring about a change in Naga society, to address the challenges and problems of Naga society in a new way in tune with the present times.”

“The Constitution of NDPP is clear in black and white that we aspire to serve the citizens of the state. We aspire to bring justice, development, progress, unity, oneness, empowerment of the youth, upliftment of the weaker sections, gender equality, human rights and transparency,” Metha said.

All these are aspirations and commitments of the NDPP Constitution, he said.

Today, with this Constitution and the mandate that we presented to the Naga people, our government is running the affairs of the state, he said.

Our leadership, our vision, our manifesto is clear, and it is acceptable to the people. That is why today Nagaland has an opposition-less government, he said

“But we must not undermine the support and mandate of this opposition-less government,” he said.

He said that all the leaders, all the political parties have trust and faith in the leadership of the NDPP and the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

‘Nagaland is being nationally and globally recognised’

Metha praised the Naga youth for their remarkable achievements in the field of, sports, music and arts and bringing laurels and name, not only to Nagaland, but to the country.

Our athletes are winning Olympic medals. Our sports persons are winning World Championship titles. Our singers are winning gold medal from the World Choir Games. Our artists and performers are performing not only in different metropolitan cities of the country, but in international stages and propagating our culture, heritage, talent to the international community, Metha said.

Stating that Naga musicians have performed in Europe, America, Southeast Asia, different cities around the world, Metha said “Today, young people from across Nagaland have become the new ambassadors of the Naga people.”

“We are no longer known for negative aspects, violence, insurgency, turmoil. Today, the world is recognizing us and coming to know of us through the achievements of our youth.”

He maintained that such development have been possible “because opportunities are being created, ecosystems are being created, and the youth are getting support from the government.”

He said that there’s so much more Nagas can do and much more they can achieve.

‘Bring our people closer’

Metha, who is also Chairman of IDAN and Advisor to Chief Minister, said that the programmes of the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme, the Life Insurance policy, and the CM’s Micro Finance Initiative aim to ensure that empowerment of the citizens of Nagaland continues.

Every Naga citizen of Nagaland is covered under health insurance scheme, said.

Even if a particular health condition cannot be addressed or treated in Nagaland, the best hospitals in the country are available for every citizen of the state in a cashless scheme, he said.

Similarly, the CM’s Micro Finance scheme opens the doorway for all youth of Nagaland to get employed, to get supported in start-ups, to create self-employment, entrepreneurship, business, he said.

He asked the NDPP central youth organization to be ambassadors of those schemes.

“Today, under the environment of an opposition-less government, our job as young leaders in every corner of the state, as political leaders, is not to divide but to unite, he said adding “Bring our people closer to each other. Help everybody, not only NDPP. Help other parties, other citizens.”

Stating that tribalism is one of the biggest challenges that Nagaland is facing today, Metha said the present generation, must try to overcome this.

Stating that Nagaland is a small state with small population, he said, “The only way is unity. As long as we are divided, as long as we are polarized, we will not be able to compete with the rest. We live in a world, an environment that is highly competitive.”

Use social media positively

Metha said that the world is controlled by technology that continues to change every minute.

While we are making progress and development, we also face so many challenges, he said adding “we must use technology to the maximum, technology to combat the challenges, technology to bring transparency, technology to overcome corruption, technology to deliver the goods to the people.”

“It’s a fast-paced world that we live in. Everything is technology-driven,” he said adding “We must learn and master and use modern technology, not only to empower ourselves but to make our work easier.”

He also stressed on the need to use artificial intelligence in a positive manner and also to use social media positively.

“Don’t try to be the first one to forward to the next group,” he said.

It could be something sensational. It could be something breaking. It could be something interesting. Make sure that you fact-check that information. Never try to be the first one to forward it or share it. There is no achievement in that, he said.

Fact-check that information and only then share. Don’t spread ill-will through social media, Metha said.

“Use social media as a tool to empower yourself, as a platform to gather more information, as a means to armor yourself with knowledge. Because in today’s day age, power is not the gun and the bullet anymore. Power comes from knowledge,” he said.

If you have knowledge, if you have education, you will be able to take on the world. You will be able to take on any situation, he said.

‘Carry the message of the government to people’

Stating that the youth organization has to be the steel frame of the party, he said “You will carry the message of the government and the leadership to the people. But you will also do the work that the party aspires to achieve. Today, Nagaland needs to change in so many things.”

He said that each individual can contribute to make NDPP stronger.

We should see NDPP not only as a political party, but as a movement. A movement for progress, a movement for change, he said.

We want NDPP central youth organization to be the breeding ground for the next generation of Naga leaders, he said adding that “The NDPP youth organization is the talent bank for NDPP.”

Stating that NDPP have done a lot last time, despite the challenges, he said “We have laid foundations for schemes and different programmes.”

Now, he said, we have to take Nagaland towards excellence, towards reaching the best.

Despite so many challenges, insurgency, political turmoil, lack of infrastructure, limitations in connectivity, our youth are achieving so much.

If we give them good infrastructure, if we give them better governance, if we give them facilities, so much more they will achieve, he said.

Earlier, NDPP CYO President, Imchatoba Imchen delivered presidential address while Working President Lhouvi Punyu delivered welcome address. Imtichoba, President, Tuensang Region Youth Organization, Amos Odyuo, President Wokha Region Youth Organization and Toshi Longkumer, President, Dimapur Region Youth Organization delivered short speech.

The programme was chaired by Vice President Vichosel Rhutso while General Secretary (Admin) Kehounieu Thernuo shared the CYO report. Vote of thanks was proposed by Secretary Mixishe Zhimo.