Kohima, October 18 (MExN): The Kedahge of the NNC/FGN, Kezha Angami, on Sunday called on the Naga people to uphold the values of courage, conviction and love for one another, saying the sacrifices of the martyrs should not be in vain.
In his message on Naga National Martyrs’ Day on October 18, 2026, Angami said it was a privilege to honour and remember the patriots who had laid down their lives for the Naga nation.
Recalling Zasibito Nagi, whom he described as the first Naga martyr, Angami said he was killed by Indian forces on October 18, 1952, in what he termed an invasion of the Naga homeland. He said Nagi was the first among many brave Naga men and women who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Angami urged the people to reflect on the bravery and sacrifices of the martyrs and examine whether they were living lives worthy of the honour bestowed upon them.
He said such sacrifices required unwavering conviction and courage, but above all, love for the nation and its people, whom the martyrs regarded as their brothers and sisters.
Quoting the Bible verse John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” Angami called on the Naga people to emulate the spirit of love and sacrifice demonstrated by the martyrs.
He urged them to reflect on whether they continued to possess the conviction, courage and sacrificial values that had guided the martyrs, and to nurture these qualities for the welfare of Nagaland.
Angami said the shared values of conviction, courage and love had united the Naga people as one nation under God, adding that no force on earth could break such a bond.
“May the sacrifices of our martyrs not be in vain. May their conviction and values of courage and love continually flow in our hearts and nurture our country, Nagaland,” he said.
