NPF emblem relevant to Naga tradition: Kenye

Kohima | November 19 : Secretary General of the NPF (Central), Kewezu G Kenye, has said that the symbol “Cock” which is the emblem of the ruling NPF since its origins as the Democratic Party of Nagaland in 1964, is very relevant to Naga tradition and currently heralds the dawn of a new era in Naga history. In days of yore, the qualified village elders would kill a cock for ritual sacrifices during various occasions. Also, if someone felt that he had committed a sin according to the Animist rites, then to seek forgiveness he would approach the elder concerned, who would in turn spill the blood of the cock to assuage the sins of the sinner.
He also said that people in England avoided eating cock because the bird was regarded as sacred since ancient times. For that matter, the entry points/gates of the ancient Greek and Roman cities and villages were embedded with the cock symbol to ward off evil spirits. It is also said that when the founding fathers of the United States of America were considering their choice of symbol, the cock lost to the eagle by only one vote.
According to Naga tradition, the cock is also known as the “poor man’s clock” because the several times that it crows at regular intervals tell us the time of the night. There is also a significance of the cock in the Bible wherein when St. Peter declared that he was ready to go with Jesus to prison and death, Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times” (Luke 22: 33 & 34) Kenye said while addressing the third and final session of the NPF Youth Leadership Training as the Resource Person at the party’s Central Office here on Wednesday evening (Nov. 18).
The cock’s crow heralds the dawn too. As such the NPF symbol also stands for the herald of a new era of peace, progress and prosperity through non-violent means despite the vicissitudes of Naga history. Hence, the regional party’s motto had always been Fide non Armis (Faith without Arms). Thus, even today, the NPF is fully committed to solution of the Indo-Naga political issue across the negotiating table and not through violent means. Nagas were a free people and led independent lives deriving their sustenance from what the land provided with hard work and each and every village was a sovereign entity similar to the ancient Greek City-States for centuries.
The NPF secretary general further narrated the Naga political history beginning 1832 when British Captain Jenkins and Lieutenant Pemberton along with troops entered Naga territory from Manipur and met fierce resistance from the various Naga tribes. The British eventually came to administer the Naga Hills through the policy of intimidation and pacification. He explained the reasons why NPF had undergone several name changes due to the party’s political vicissitudes and expediency of the moment as also the changes underwent by the original Naga National Council (NNC) which split into the NSCN which in turn split into two factions and so on. He emphasised that the participants should know the history of the party so that they can broadcast it to the grass roots level.
Kenye further asserted that NPF-led DAN government has undertaken so many development projects which are self-evident and achieved so much in about three years what the Congress could not in ten years of rule. “By mobilising, inspiring and armed with the knowledge of the past we have to preserve our (Naga) identity under any circumstances. And yet, although our way of life is different from other communities we cannot keep on being the original Nagas clad in kilts and armed with daos and spears. So, in our daily lives we must move with the times also.”
Earlier, senior scholar and human rights activist, Theja-o Vihienuo, spoke during the second session of interaction and discussion in the morning as the resource person. He said: “Leadership exists at every stage and organisation of the society including even at home…..There is no magic to train someone to be a good leader. However, to uphold our tribal, clan, village, social organisations and age groupings there are immense opportunities to provide leadership.”
The scholar also said that leadership can also be circumstantial when someone is faced with the opportunity owing to some unforeseen situation. Leadership qualities include charisma with strong personal and physical magnetism, self-confidence, ability to express in simple language, having hope which is the greatest gift of mankind, avoiding criticism by bringing in better programmes, optimism, willingness to listen, learn and cooperate, perseverance, decisiveness, flexibility, periodic assessment of performance etc.
Theja-o further said: “There are various reasons for being in any political organisation. If you want your youth organisation to be an instrument and growth of the society, then set goals so that NPF Youth Wing is a performing and functioning organisation. The party is still expecting much from you.”
Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) chairman, Vipopal Kintso, who was one of the Moderators during both the sessions, said that he had come across many good leaders who were also good speakers with vision. However, they could not grow because they talked about and concentrated only on sectoral issues. “If I am a good Angami leader, then I cannot be a good Naga leader.” He also exhorted the participants to inculcate work culture in order to become good politicians and people’s leaders.
During the discussion, Mokokchung NPF Youth Wing president Lipok Zulu said that even in animal society the flock follows the leader according to the size of his horns and strength to defeat rivals. “We need discipline and capability to know intimate details about the issues in our immediate sector. A leader should have a sense of sacrifice for others in need.”
Dimapur NPF Youth Wing president Lanukaba wanted to know why the party could get only one elected Legislator out of the five Constituencies in Dimapur in spite of gifted leaders. To this, Theja-o replied that elections are not won with good leadership alone. Victories depend also on strategy and tactics which differ from constituency to constituency. “In the event of a ruling party becoming the Opposition, your modus operandi must change unlike the BJP which had been so long been in the Opposition that when it came to power at the Centre, it still behaved like the Opposition in power.”
Zunheboto NPF Youth Wing president, Vikaho Zhimomi, asked about the financial importance in good leadership. To this, Theja-o replied that party leaders are always under pressure for financial aid. “But if you think that by money alone you can ensure leadership it is negative in the long run. So, like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, assert leadership with virtues rather than buying it.”
The other Moderator, Achumbemo Kikon, a former NSF president, observed that although West Bengal and Kerala were far removed (in geographical terms) from the erstwhile USSR, the Communist parties in both the States ruled for many years not through money so much as relentless indoctrination of the party’s ideology to all levels of their cadres. On the leadership quality of sacrifice he also mentioned the case of K G Kenye who resigned his 17 Chizami A/C seat to pave the way for the late Vamuzo to become the Chief Minister.
Vice president of the NPF Central Wing, Thepusato Boshi Vamuzo tendered the vote of thanks for the successful leadership training.