Limalenden Longkumer
Mokokchung | May 31
Quite implying that Nagas better remain a part of the Indian Union, SC Jamir, former chief minister of Nagaland and presently the Governor of Maharashtra said that “the emergence of India as an economic, political and democratic superpower in the world is an irrefutable contemporary reality”. “Can the people of Nagaland afford to turn a blind eye towards this reality?” Jamir queried.
Even though we are looking beyond the borders, the prevailing realities within the border, that is, our homeland, need to be set in order without delay. These were the words of the Dr. SC Jamir, Governor of Maharashtra, during the occasion of the silver jubilee of Ungma Theologians Union, held under the theme “Litsu atena penyu/ Look beyond the border,” May 30-31, 2009.
He said that the ancient colonizers and traders, including the pioneering missionaries were motivated by the mission to look and venture beyond the border. “Today, the incredible development in the field of science and technology have brought all the countries closer, and we are living in a global village, or borderless world, which is the stark reality of this country… this is the kind of world we live, even including our own Ungma village.” Jamir said that an eminent pointer to the changing trend is that “we cannot afford to remain ignorant of the constantly changing and evolving global economic, social and political scenario.”
In order to engineer a pragmatic, reasoned and realistic vision of our future, Jamir said, “it is imperative that we envisage, explore, understand and appreciate the kind of world that we are living in today and the prospects that are available for us.” He said that the future is one of strong networking, intraregional cooperation, trans-national collaboration, cross-cultural relationships, strategic political and economic relations, fostering trade relations, cementing business partnerships and economic associations and intelligently harnessing our natural and human resource endowments.
He lamented that Naga society is gripped by fear created by a section of the society who do not have any compunction to kill. “Unfortunately, the public as a whole are silent spectators to the unfolding tragedy plaguing our society.” He said that the Church, parents and educational institutions have all failed. “It is sad that the younger generation is imprisoned in this maze for which the older generation is to be blamed.”
A Doctor of Divinity himself, Jamir insisted that the Church must come out openly opposing those who deviate or violate tenets of Christianity. While extending the horizons of the church, Jamir said, “We must at the same time set our own house in order.”
SC Jamir, along with Rev. O. Alem, Executive Secretary of Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang, were the chief speakers during the silver jubilee of the Theologians’ union of the largest Ao Naga village, Ungma.
