Dr SC Jamir speaks during the civic reception programme held in his honour at the Dimapur Airport on November 10, upon his return from Delhi after receiving the Padma Bhushan. (Morung Photo)
Veteran leader returns to grand reception at Dimapur Airport
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 10
Veteran Naga political leader Dr SC Jamir, who returned to Nagaland to a grand civic reception after receiving the Padma Bhushan on November 10, called upon the gathering to stand with truth and stressed on the importance of living in the present.
In a brief speech at the civic reception at Dimapur Airport today, Dr Jamir, a former five-time Chief Minister of Nagaland and Governor of many states, implied that the Naga society has to live in the present to progress.
Generation, life and time have gone by. Since the time of our ancestors, countless yesterdays and tomorrows had and will passed by, but what stays always is today, he said.
Highlighting some paradigm shifts in the Naga society in the past 150 years or so, he noted that the Naga nation was in ‘dark’ and God gave a big responsibility to “our forefather to bring about peace and spread gospel of salvation.
Contextualising the advent of Christianity, first among the Ao community in Moulungkimong, Dr Jamir said that after the first ‘Baptism Pool’ by Dr EW Clark, ‘our forefathers accepted the responsibility with honest heart.”
They professed the same – that there is one God, bigger than any other gods they had known, and now Nagaland is called Christian state. The flame is still burning, he added.
Dr Jamir also noted that the arrival of Christianity also sow the seeds of education.
Our forefather undertook the task with truth. Now, Nagas are full with knowledge and unlike other times, they now rule over themselves, can do and speak like others, he said.
He also called for using the ‘gift’ in appropriate manner.
Touching upon the Padma Bhushan, Dr Jamir said that while the unexpected award was given in his name, it is for all the Nagas. Exhorting the Ao gathered there, he said, “So, we humbly accept the award with faith and further serve the land, church, and people.”
‘With prayers, let us speak with truth, stand with truth and perform with truth,’ he extolled.
In whatever profession you are in, stand and do your best, he urged.
Stating that the community is not known to remain in the background, Dr Jamir further called upon the gathering to search for ‘previous task’ and take part in political spheres.
Earlier, Sungit Jamir spoke on behalf of ASTD while the Naga Council Dimapur, Western Sumi Hoho and Nagaland GB Federation also presented bouquets to Dr Jamir.
The civic reception was organised under the banner of the Naga Council Dimapur and among others, it was attended by Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD); Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation Dimapur; Watsu Mundang, Tribal Presidents and various civil society organisations. The Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Sharingain Longkumer also attended the event.
The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind presented Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India, to Dr Jamir for ‘Public Affairs’ at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on November 8.
