“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21)
We all know Isak Chishi Swu was a God fearing man and I truly believe that he will want us to thank God for his life rather than to mourn over his death. I have known Eno Isak for a long time and for all our differences, personal or ideological; I cannot help but to admire his commitment to the cause of the Naga people and his unflinching faith in God.
He sincerely gave his all for us. And that matters more than anything else. When such a leader is taken away from us, one cannot help but feel a great vacuum in our quest for freedom, as if a ray of light has been overshadowed by a passing dark cloud. It saddens me to think that before we all could see the light at the end of the tunnel, before we could shake hands together in our triumphant smiles; our dear Swu is leaving us for his eternal home to be with his Maker. It is humbling to recall how even a sacrificial and visionary leader like him will have to say goodbye, when the appointed time comes by, to his dream and his beloved people without a glimpse of the nation that he has fought for all through his life.
His tragic death reminds me of the Exodus journey of the Israelites out of the Egyptian bondage through the wilderness before finally entering the Promised Land. Even Moses, the great man of God, and many other leaders were denied entry into Canaan. It is my hope and prayer that God himself will anoint and raise leaders like Joshua and Caleb, in the place of those leaders who could not make it to the end, to finish the journey of hope and freedom they envisioned for us.
I on behalf of NNC, extend heartfelt condolence to his wife Ennoli Eustar (Khulu) and all his loved ones. May the good Lord grant you peace and hope in this moment of pain and sadness.
Gen. (Retd) Thinoselie M. Keyho, President, Naga National Council/NNC
