Gwasinlo Thong | Bayavu Hill, Kohima
As I sat at the funeral service of Late Shri Hokishe Sema, my thoughts went back to a remote village LP School. It was in the late 60s, the students stood up and said in unison; ‘The Chief Minister of Nagaland is Shri Hokishe Sema’. For the last two days we had been trying to memorize this line, because the School Inspector was coming to visit our school. The ‘D’ day came. Being the smallest in the class, the Inspector pulled me out and asked my name. Somehow, I understood and told him my name and also almost blurted that the Chief Minister of Nagaland is Shri Hokishe Sema, though he never asked. Fortunately, I saw my teacher desperately signaling me to stop. Those days we did not understand what we were reciting in unison, but I realized now, as this man lying before me, surrounded with wreaths, was surely a blessed son of the land. He was the Chief Minister when more than 90 percent of the Nagas were still illiterate and ignorant.
While in college, fired with patriotism we felt so proud that a Naga had been appointed as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh. Not that we expected help from him, but the mere fact that a fellow Naga became a Governor made us happy and proud. Then there was a rumor that he had changed his religion to Jainism. The news was so disgusting that we felt betrayed. “What kind of a Naga and a Christian is he to trade his God and his Saviour?” we thought. As if this sense of betrayal was not enough, I incidentally passed by a political rally which was going on at Razhu point, Kohima and overheard the speaker, a prominent political leader, telling the crowds that Shri Hokishe was responsible for selling out the rights of the Nagas by transferring the State of Nagaland, then under the Ministry of External Affairs, to Home Ministry.
Then fate brought me to meet this man. It was at Indira Gandhi International Airport in the mid nineties and the flight to Dimapur was in the early morning. I saw a well dressed oriental looking gentleman wearing a black suit, a tie and a hat in the departure lounge. Somehow the face looked familiar but I couldn’t recognize him. That day, our plane could not land at Dimapur and we had to disembark at Guwahati. While waiting for the baggage to come, I heard a deep resonant voice from behind “Young man, are you Naga?” I turned and said “Yes sir.” He shook my hand saying “I am Mister Hokishe Sema. I guess you are also going to Dimapur? I have arranged a car and I am alone, you can come with me.” I thanked him and told my self, “What a luck! A readymade transport and a chance to travel with a VVIP and to top it off, someone I really wanted to learn more about.” He was so friendly and down to earth yet exuded a powerful magnetic personality that made one jump at the mere sound of him calling your name. On the way, somewhere in Jagi Road, he wanted to buy ‘magur’ fish. I was not happy with the way the fish seller was talking to him and wanted to teach the fellow to behave by pulling him up. Suddenly he called out “Young man, let us forgive him to day.” I felt so embarrassed, for I thought he had gone back to the car. Through out, the journey was exciting and interesting. An experience I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
I had the privilege to walk him around the lawns at Nagaland House, New Delhi, while he was recovering from his illness. It was a great privilege for me again to be associated with his bosom friend, my late father-in-law Shri P. Moasosang. ‘Thümba’ they called each other. In most of the family prayer meetings, we prayed for the dear ‘thümba’, especially when he was sick and taking treatment. A lesson I learnt as to what true friendship means. Then all of a sudden, my father-in-law passed away. He (Hokishe) came and spoke so well in the funeral service, it touched many and me in particular when he said, “Oh Thümba’ I thought I’ll be leaving ahead of you because of my ill health and I know you were concerned for it. Yet today you have gone ahead. I know you will be with our Saviour. I will be joining you soon at the right hand of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Good Bye!” Hearing this, many were in tears as I was too. I had accused this man of trading his God and Saviour for other gods. Where as I could see that he is a true believer and a born again Christian who was sure of his salvation. Indeed many of us who have pointed fingers at him may not be able to confidently pronounce assurance of salvation like he did.
Did he ever sell out the rights of the Nagas by transferring the State of Nagaland, then under the Ministry of External Affairs to Home Ministry? Honestly, I don’t think so. If we look at the political scenario and observe how things move, perhaps any other Chief Minister would have done the same, as matters of this magnitude are usually planned and dictated by Delhi. The only unfortunate thing was that he happened to be the Chief Minister when this transfer took place.
After he became an elected MLA and DAN Chairman, I was surprised to hear he was looking for a rented house in Kohima and that he does not even have a plot in the Capital. Indeed, an indication of his selflessness and honesty. If he were selfish like many of us today, he would have acquired the best government land in Kohima and built palaces for himself. When he was the CM of Nagaland, one of his sons was posted at Mon and he too wanted a transfer from there. (Even today nobody wants to be posted in remote places). Yet, he dare not ask for transfer as his father was the CM. Later on he was terminated from his job since he could not get regularized. A single line chit from the father would have solved the problem, yet he (Hokishe) did not do it. He also definitely loved his children, but he simply would not misuse his authority for his selfish gains.
He was a Minister, a Chief Minister and a Governor too, yet his children know how to handle a Dao, fell trees and cut woods. In fact, one of the sons remarked that their father often took them to village and taught them how to work in the field and that he can do almost everything a Naga farmer does, except carry paddy from field on head load. It is a shame to think that, today we let our children live like kings though it may be beyond our means. We would rather steal then let our children learn how their brothers are working hard in the fields for their survival.
For the last time, I looked at the casket and thought, “Here lies one of the great sons of the land; a true Naga who walked the corridors of power in humility.” And I silently prayed that posterity will learn from him.
