By Rev. Dr. VK Nuh
To unveil the traditional monolith erected to commemorate late Khriesanisa Seyie, the first Kedhage (President) Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN)
12th July 1956 – 18th
February 1959, Soseiitsie
Organized by: Khonoma Rüffüno, Nagaland
Date: 28th February 2007
Mr. President,
I am deeply moved to see the spirit of Khonoma (Rupfiino). With a sense of responsibility, I would like to congratulate your highest sense of duty to the Naga Nation. Nagas are aware about Khonoma’s heritage of national pride from time immemorial. You have strictly maintained the value of patriotism and nationalism.
I believe that God has ordered for every thing, and no human being can change His appointed time. God created the history, and in His own time we are able to witness the history. The king philosopher said, ‘there is time for everything, and season for everything under heavens’ (Ecl. 3:7).
The early part of 19th century. When the British Empire extended all over the world, and said, “The sun never sets in the British empire,” Khonoma village stood in the hilltop and challenged the Britishers and defeated them several times. They stood like the rock for 40 years. Khonoma raided 19 times against the British subject, thus the British Government had to change their policy of no more red line in the British Empire. Thereafter the first political agent was sent at Chumukedima.
According to Esterine Iralu, in her book “A Naga Village to Remember”, after killing Dament (first Deputy Commissioner at Kohima) on 14th October 1879, that night there was jubilation – “we have ousted the white man’s rule.” But the British Government came to the conclusion “So long as Khonoma is allowed to go unpunished over the murder of Damant, the other villagers will make bold to rise against us. The spirit of Khonoma must be quenched.” With this conviction, another assault was effectually planned, headed by General Brigadier Nation. After a fierce battle Khonoma fell, but the negotiation for a treaty was underway. But General Brigadier refused to talk without Pelhu (the warrior of Khonoma). Initially, Pelhu refused to talk but the village elders insisted over again. Therefore, Pelhu said, “I shall come for the sake of our women and children, but you force me to wash my hands in my brothers’ blood and to wash my face in my brothers’ blood” (on 27th March 1880). Pelhu with other leaders were caught between the obligation to his village people and his dead kin. They came with heavy face as hard as stone: “they wore a padi cloth and was not adorned by his ornaments for it would dishonor his dead kin.”
General was so excited, they spoke to him with calm and dignity that white man found himself admiring. The general asked, “Do you need a written treaty?” Pelhu shook his hand and said firmly, “No if we have said there will be peace between us, then there will be peace.” The General was suitably impressed by the old warrior’s wisdom.
Khonoma people have the spirit of determination. Thus, knowing that they may not win the battle with the British, they just went ahead with war as surrender is not in their character. Since history repeats itself, even after a gap of 70 years, son of the soil from Khonoma was born AZ Phizo, T Sakhrie, Khriesanisa Seyie, General Mowu Gwizantsu and many others stood up and embraced nationalism and fought against British rules when the British was about to give up her empire in the globe. So also was newly born the republic of India.
Today, Khonoma village becomes a “School of political thought and nationalism.” When all Nagas are sleeping you wake up again and set an example for the Nagas to remember who laid down their lives for the Naga nation. It also reminds me of II World War tragedy memorial at Osaka where the Government of Japan carved on the mountain rock the names of those who died for their nation. So also in Westminster Abbey, London, is written down the names of “unknown soldiers who died in war” in front of the door of the Cathedral.
Naga people would be ungrateful people if we do not set up a monument of our beloved patriots. We all are proud of Commonwealth War Cemetery at Kohima built by the British and also the Cathedral at Kohima, donated by the Japanese soldiers. But Nagas have no notion about our patriots’ sacrifices. Once Shakespeare said, “One drop of blood drawn from the country’s bosom should grieve thee more than streams of foghorn.”
Relevantly, after half century, you have called us to witness the value of history by setting monolith to remember the great men son of the soil. I salute the great man, late Khriesanisa Seyie, the first Kedhage (President) of Federal Government of Nagaland. In our journey through history, a son of soil from Khonoma, Khriesanisa Seyie became an undisputed elderly man who shouldered responsibility of the nation. He was a man of great wisdom and integrity, a godly man. His presidential address reads, “The Lord has enabled us to overcome many hardships in the process of our Naga struggles and brought us thus far. He shall never let us down even in the days to come provided we continue to obey His desires and have faith in Him.”
One time he was interviewed by Indian chief intelligence, insulting him, “How can you have independence when you have no warplane, war head weapon like tank and other sophisticated weapons?” Age old wisdom sharply answered. “Did Indians have warplane, war tank and other sophisticated weapons when you demanded independence from the Great Britain?” he silenced the chief of India. His message on 3rd August 1957 “Harrowing Tales of the Nagas” says “The pages of history alone can tell the world about the affliction of the patriotic Nagas of different times. Yet, the sufferings of Naga patriots stand still unparallel to the so called Indian brute forces of ages. We the defenseless Nagas, having no nations and Good Samaritan neighbor the world to intercept our catastrophe are left to ourselves suffer so. The sole weapon of the Nagas is our universal right, and yet, to the government of India, might is right.”
You have decided to serve the nation when risk was high, plunge yourself in it chiefly your life although you were advanced in age. Loving your country did not matter for you to suffer. You had neither a chance to get educated, nor knowledge about university, neither trained in particular discipline. And yet your political vision and prophetic message have inspired the new generation. The world is impressed by the courage of your sacrifices.
On the honor grow; I feel that this occasion of unveiling the monolith is mournful. But too many thousand smile this occasion to unveil the monolith in remembrance of you. Nation is proud of you. Men of the west and the east stood side by side on the perilous ridges of the battle you fought. Your honor shall remain in the pages of history. I shall leave this moment of our history to the unborn generations.
I believe that all of us are aware that the whole history of struggle for independent is written with blood of Naga patriot. It is too dear to destroy our history. As we see today our situation has come to a stage of self destruction, killing our own brethren. As we gather here to honor our great leader, we have to come together as a nation to work for National Reconciliation, to forgive and to forget for the sake of those who laid down their lives for the nation. There is something we must learn today from Khonoma (Rüffüno), that years back they went through a deep wound of the past, yet they have removed the ugly pulse and brought the reconciliation. What a wonderful message it is for all of us to follow the path.
I invoke my prayer to almighty God that healings of the wounds may prevail in this loving country for the sake of those who sacrificed their lives for the nation, as Nation marching toward her destination.
