Dr Asangba Tzudir
Jungshinokdang Jamir, a tatar in the Village Council was observing genna when Dr. Clark and Godhula visited Ungma village during one of his many mission tours. It was he who welcomed the Gospel bearer into his home after going to the extent of violating the genna observance by removing the genna leaves that was kept at the entrance of his home paving the way for the new religion in the village of Ungma. He was instrumental in bringing the Gospel bearers to his village. He had earlier met Dr Clark at Chuchuyimlang village and requested Clark to visit their village, and then welcoming the Gospel bearer to his home at a genna time.
Today, the last man standing, Padma Bhushan Dr SC Jamir, the last of the signatories of the 16-point Agreement that paved the way for the formation of Nagaland State is a fruition of Jungshikokdang, which stands as a testament of the good and brave deed done by his grandfather. Back in the days, big and powerful villages were the ones that opposed the new religion and it was a difficult proposition for the missionaries to make inroads.
One may wonder, even after living out God’s years and now into his nineties, Dr S C Jamir continues to achieve even greater heights, the latest being the third highest Indian Civilian Award – Padma Bhushan, and which only attests to the meaning of his name. And what he has done and achieved will forever remain etched in the annals of the history of Nagaland.
In the recent meeting between Dr SC Jamir and Prime Minister Modi, the latter recollected Jamir’s stint as Governor of Gujarat and lauded him as a respected Statesman true to his standing.
On the Naga political solution, having waited impatiently for too long and that a final decision be taken while the enthusiasm exists, because “when the curry is prepared, you can really enjoy and relish it when it is hot.” This aptly sums up the urgency of the present Naga political condition. This analogy needs to be studied seriously so that it does not become a missed opportunity.
Dr. Jamir has always identified the youths of the state as the power-house of human resources and encourages the youths to be assets in the Nation Building process. The youths as the power-house of human resources, the greatest challenge for the State Government is to continue providing avenues to develop skills and also help sustain their skills in productive engagement which is an integral component of Nation building.
While the last man continues standing, there are pragmatic life lessons to learn, unlearn and re-learn from him so as to take the State forward.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir writes a weekly guest editorial for The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
