Massive I-Day celebration in Nagaland signals advent of new dawn
Kohima, Aug 24: The north-eastern states of India normally witnessed a kind of instability and unrest during Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations. While the entire country went enthusiastic on these two national occasions, the people in the northeastern states, especially those of Nagaland, Mizoram, parts of Manipur and Assam used to observe these as colonial rule days, mainly because of anti-India feelings and emotions fanned by the separatist elements supported and assisted by the elements, organizations, and individuals inimical to India.
The history of northeast India is replete with such incidents. But slowly this situation is changing for better in the last some years. Especially after the BJP coming to power at the Centre and also in the states including northeast India, the Narendra Modi government has initiated a number of welfare measures for the betterment of the people and for the development of the region including infrastructural amenities, education facilities, and industrial development.
Naturally, these steps have reversed the anti-India feelings and emotions in this region, and now since 2014 one hardly gets the news of boycotting these national functions which otherwise was a common feature during the Congress and regional parties’ rule.
Nagaland has been the pivot of anti-India movements in the northeast since the pre-independence days. We are all very well aware of the Naga National Movement launched by the militant leader Angami Zapo Phizo under the banner of Naga National Council (NNC) with the slogans “Independent Nagaland” and “Nagaland for Christ”.
This movement was covertly supported and logistically assisted by the Baptist Church and Missions in Nagaland and this is the open secret now. The creation of separate though not independent Nagaland in 1961 gave moral support to other militant and separatist groups in Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, and Tripura to wedge a ‘war against the Indian state’ for ‘freeing’ their lands. Boycott of Independence Day and Republic Day was the part of this ‘war’.
However, now the situation is changing and we seldom hear the calls for boycotting these national festivals emanating from the northeastern regions. On the contrary, people are celebrating these national occasions with enthusiasm, vigor, and joy even in the far-flung and remote areas.
According to the latest reports, the 74th Independence Day was celebrated in remote and far-off Nagaland villages indicating that the days of conflict are over in the state and it has become the part of the Indian Mainstream.
The joy of celebrating Independence Day is to cherish and pay respect to the martyrs and freedom fighters who have sacrificed for the Nation’s freedom. It is also a day to think for the Nation’s future and take pride in its rich resources, cultural heritage, and achievements.
Joining the rest of the country in celebrating the Independence Day, the people of Nagaland too hoisted the national tricolor atop their houses, private residences and business establishments besides the government buildings in the State.
Nagaland witnessed a remarkable celebration this year with more than 53 Government High Schools and Senior Secondary Schools organizing events to commemorate the 74th Independence Day.
Government High Schools at Atoizu in Zunheboto, Aitepyong in Wokha,) Thangjam in Tuensang, Tobu in Mon, Nyengching in Longleng and Kisum in Kiphire are some of the schools in the remotest part of the State which celebrated the Independence Day despite various odds.
In all the twelve-district headquarters and its sub-divisions, the National Flag was hoisted to celebrate the Independence Day under the shadow of COVID-19 pandemic and other odds. The presence of government employees, village council members, Gaonburas (Village Headmen), Dobhasis (Translators), tribal elders, Village Guards, and student leaders was remarkable.
The celebration of Independence Day by the tribes was not only witnessed in the State’s capital but even in the remotest, unmotorable, and inaccessible district sub-divisions like in Tobu and Phomching in Mon, Yoruba in Phek and Thonoknyu in Tuensang. In Longleng district, Nyengching ward youth sang the National Anthem, while in Kiphire district, the Phelungre Village Guards (VGs) displayed a memorable band.
In the Shamator sub-division of Tuensang district, the National Anthem was sung by the Village Guards of Shamator town. In the Satakha Sub-division of the Zunheboto district, the National Anthem was sung by the tribal Anganwadi workers. The Village Guards of Wakching village and Monyakshu village in the Wakching and Monyakshu sub-divisions of Mon district and Seyochung sub-division of the Kiphire district gave the Rashtriya salute at the unfurling of the National Flag.
There was also the distribution of food to the orphanages and jail inmate and also visit to hospitals by the district administration and voluntary youth organization in Tuensang district and Pungro sub-division of Kiphire district.
Governor R.N. Ravi in his message paid homage to “all the heroes and martyrs, millions of working men and women, whose sacrifices under the leadership of the Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, wrought this freedom and the Union of Free India was born.”
Paying homage to the heroes for securing the borders of the country, he underlined the fact that under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, North-East is fast transforming and emerging as an economic hub. However, such waves of positive change and growth seem to have been bypassing the State with the dubious distinction of worst-performing State in the country on almost all the significant indicators of Human Development, the Governor observed.
The Governor highlighted the deplorable state of the government schools that despite 80% literacy rate and the highest pupil-teacher ratio in the State as compared to the rest of the country, the drop-out and failure rates in Government Schools are alarming.
He appealed for cooperation to the two million people of Nagaland to break the vice-like grip of the vicious circle of the network of vested interests and make way for the virtuous circle of peace, prosperity, and happiness for the Naga people which cannot be achieved by Government alone.
In the State’s capital Kohima, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio unfurled the National Flag of India and took the Rashtriya Salute. For peace, stability, and all-round development in the State, the Chief Minister appealed for an early and honorable solution of the Naga political issue. The presentation of cultural songs and dances from various tribes further enriched the joy of the celebration.
The extent of celebration is a fact that the cloud which has been hovering over the minds of the hill people is gradually fading away with the fervent hope of peace, economic development, security, and liberty.
The optimism of the people is the cornerstone in making a peaceful society and hope that the celebration of Independence Day does not remain as a daily affair but may the spirit of independence continue in building a glorious united nation.
