Brig. (Retd) S. Singnya,
Kedahge, FGN
My beloved Country Men and Women,
It is a great honor and privilege for me to address you on this historic occasion of the 64th Republic Day of our Nation. I thank our Almighty God for His continued Guidance, Sustenance and Protection. I am immensely grateful to our pioneers for laying a firm political foundation for which we are able to stand up today with pride and dignity.
I salute and pay my homage to the martyrs who have made the supreme sacrifice for the Naga cause and all the Naga patriots for their visions and sacrifices in pursuit of the long cherished Naga dream.
May their unyielding spirit and selflessness continue to inspire, guide and strengthen us.
On this day 64 years ago, on 22nd March, 1956 Nagaland became a Republic when the Naga National Council convened the First Tatar Hoho Session bringing together the Free Nagas represented by the Hongking Government and the erstwhile Naga Hills District represented by the Naga National Council which led to the establishment of the Federal Government of Nagaland. With the National Mandate of 1951 entrusted to them and acknowledging that the Almighty God is the Supreme Sovereign over this world and the authority of the people on the territory is a sacred trust from God, our leaders established the National institution based on the modern principles and ideals of Democracy, Justice, Liberty and Fraternity and instituted the Republic on the concept of the Federal System of Governance.
The momentous Declaration of Naga Independence on 14th August, 1947 and the irrevocable pledged of the Plebiscite of 16th May, 1951 created the foundation and also shaped the political course of our people. We chose to determine, forge and shape our own destiny with dignity, integrity and freedom and we have managed to withstand the tests of time and the tides that sought to weaken and destroy our spirit.
As we commemorate the 64th year as a republic, we celebrate the exemplary lives and courage of the pioneers who have guided us with their vision. The Federal Government of Nagaland remains deeply committed to what our elders had enshrined for us a nation. Our history is our inheritance but to achieve our goal we must move forward. The choice before us is to talk about our past reminisce with regret and avoid following the path charted for us or to place ourselves within the historical framework of the past by placing ourselves in it and follow the path till our historical rights are expressed in full.
The Federal Government of Nagaland strongly feels that we must travel back in time to the distant past to reclaim our rights that was declared in unity and trust. Right from the beginning till date, our Nation has been facing powerful forces opposed to our Cause who have sought to weaken it by sowing the seed of animosity and suspicion and adopting the policy of Divide and Rule. Our nationalism is in threat because we are slowly losing the spirit that gave birth to our nationalism. We have divided ourselves into so many groups and factions with the emergence of educated but self elected leaders who do not have the mandate of even a handful of people who whimsically change their ideologies and opinions and openly air their opinions in the mass media using the name of widely accepted and respected Naga Political Institution which is a great detriment to the Naga cause. In the midst of opposition and distrust from others we must free ourselves from our greatest enemy from within, unite and with strength proceed forward. I believe that there is a future ahead of us and that future is waiting for those who are morally strong, determine and resolute to make it their own.
The Nagas as a people have an ardent desire to live in peace and harmony among ourselves and have always sought to live in peaceful co-existence with our neighbors.
The Federal Government of Nagaland also prescribes to this desire of our people. For peace to prevail and for a peaceful resolution of the Indo-Naga political issue, the Federal Government is actively involved in political dialogue with the Government of India as an entity of the NNPGs Working Committee to arrive at a political settlement which is honorable and mutually acceptable. We Nagas are a Nation of trustworthy and straight forward people and we expect India to live up to her world image as the largest Democracy in the world. Our strength lies in the fact that we have moral strength to stand, wait and watch on the belief that what is rightfully ours cannot be crushed by might.
We all know that more than Seven Decades old conflict between the Nagas and India could have been resolved long ago had the Government of India been sincere and serious in resolving it. But instead of seeking permanent solution, India has basically succeeded in prolonging the problem by manipulating the situations as a when desired by her. Every rational person knows that too much procrastinating is harmful and detrimental for solving any human problem. It is up to the Government of India whether to decide for a political settlement when the entire Naga population is desirous of an honorable and acceptable political solution and restore faith in the Indian System of Democracy or prolong the ongoing talks and make a mockery of the Indian System of Democracy.
May God’s grace be upon us all and His Wisdom continues to guide us and His Will prevails as we continue our journey forward.
God Bless My Nagaland
Kuknalim
