Metsubo Jamir and others after unveiling of monolith for 31st General Conference of NSF at Tseminyu on August 28. Morung Photo
‘Walk forward together, united in purpose: Metsubo Jamir
Our Correspondent
Tseminyu | August 28
Nagaland’s Rural Development & SIRD Minister Metsubo Jamir today challenged the Nagas to walk forward together, united in purpose, committed to progress, and inspired by the dream of a better world.
“Over the decades, our beloved Naga family, despite the geographical factors that have divided us time and time again, and the many challenges, we as a people have faced, the NSF remained steadfast as a pillar and a beacon of unity that has upheld the vision of a cohesive and inclusive Naga family,” Jamir said while addressing the inaugural session of the 31st General Conference of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) at Tseminyu.
It is this unwavering commitment that continues to inspire generations of young Nagas across our global universal boundaries, and gatherings like this one is an affirmation of this undying spirit to be one, that continues to inspire us all, he said.
Stressing on the need to building a society based on mutual respect for one another and fostering peace, he urged upon the NSF to remain open to the world while staying grounded in your identity, to embrace diversity, while upholding unity and to lead, not just for the Nagas, but for the world.
The world needs voices like yours-informed, courageous, compassionate and visionary, he said adding “I believe deeply in the power of our youth.”
The future of our villages, our state and indeed our region lies in the hands of educated, responsible, and globally conscious individual like you, he added.
‘Rise above our egos and divisions’
NSF president Medovi Rhi said that the most pressing threat to “our unity is the pervasive disunity within our community, born of tribal rivalries, vested interests, personal ambitions, social disparities and factions pulling us in every direction, leaving our youth adrift and uncertain of the path that lies ahead.”
We cannot allow this plethora of divisions, whether from internal rifts or external pressures, to derail our pursuit of sovereignty and progress, he said.
Rhi also stressed on the need to rise above “our egos and divisions, standing in unity and brotherhood as truly unified Naga people beyond all borders for where there is unity, there is victory.”
“Our forefathers stood shoulder to shoulder against external forces that sought to oppress and divide us. If we fail to unite today, we betray their legacy. But if we succeed in building bridges, if we choose empathy over suspicion, respect over arrogance and unity over division, then we will leave behind a house rebuilt, brick by brick, strong enough to endure for generations to come and that house will stand not for one tribe, nor for one faction but for the unified lim and glory of the Nagas,” he added.
‘Our Naga identity is richly plural’
MLA Jwenga Seb said that “Our Naga identity is richly plural-many tribes, dialects, customs and histories-but we are one people.”
When our young people stand together, when our student organisations speak with a well-considered and united voice, they change the course of events, he said.
He said that the challenges we face- protecting our rights, preserving our land, securing peace and the dignity of our communities require a united civic energy.
Let the NSF continue to be the platform where differences are debated respectfully and where consensus is forged for the common good, he said.
Touching on interdependence, he said “No individual, no village, no tribe flourishes in total isolation. When one part of our society advances while others lag, the whole fabric is weakened.”
He stressed on the need to craft policies and initiatives that strengthen connections in education, in health, in infrastructure, in market access “so that our growth is truly shared.”
Emphasising on collective growth, Seb said “Development must be inclusive.”
Economic programmes, scholarships, leadership opportunities, technological access must be intentionally distributed so that all can participate and contribute.
Build capacities that lift not only yourself but your family, your village, and your tribe, he said.
NESO chief expresses concern over illegal migration
Sharing greetings at the inaugural session, North East Students’ Organization (NESO) chairman Samuel B.Jyrwa said that illegal migration is a very old issue in which the different states of the north-eastern region have been facing right from the time when India got its independence in 1947.
He said that the problem of illegal migration is very real, a threat which is very real, in which “we have seen the indigenous peoples in the different parts of the north-eastern region being abused or minority in their own land.”
Jyrwa said that the indigenous people of the different states of the north-east have to be very vigilant against this impending threat, which is like a hyper-headed snake, which if left unchecked, will tamper upon our life, our culture, our language, and our identity.”
