DailyDevotion

Do You See Your Calling?

…separated to the gospel of God… —Romans 1:1

Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the gospel of God. The one all-important thing is that the gospel of God should be recognized as the abiding reality. Reality is not human goodness, or holiness, or heaven, or hell— it is redemption. The need to perceive this is the most vital need of the Christian worker today. As workers, we have to get used to the revelation that redemption is the only reality. Personal holiness is an effect of redemption, not the cause of it. If we place our faith in human goodness we will go under when testing comes. Paul did not say that he separated himself, but “when it pleased God, who separated me…” (Galatians 1:15). Paul was not overly interested in his own character. And as long as our eyes are focused on our own personal holiness, we will never even get close to the full reality of redemption. Christian workers fail because they place their desire for their own holiness above their desire to know God. “Don’t ask me to be confronted with the strong reality of redemption on behalf of the filth of human life surrounding me today; what I want is anything God can do for me to make me more desirable in my own eyes.” To talk that way is a sign that the reality of the gospel of God has not begun to touch me. There is no reckless abandon to God in that. God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character. Paul was not conscious of himself. He was recklessly abandoned, totally surrendered, and separated by God for one purpose— to proclaim the gospel of God (see Romans 9:3).

Quotes

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

~ Albert Einstein

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Dear countrymen, On this historic NSCN Raising Day, I greet you all in the gracious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

First of all, I pay homage to all those beloved brothers and sisters who have laid down their lives for the cause of Nagalim for Christ.

I am bound to give thanks to all the proven NSCN members big and small from both civil and military setups, who have taken all the necessary troubles in bringing the national issue thus far.

I am also thankful to all the civil societies in Nagalim and abroad that has been with the Nagas in all weathers.

I am obliged to give thanks to our Churches and all the prayer warriors who have been praying for the issue without ceasing. I on behalf of the Naga people would like to say a big thank you to the international community and friends of the Naga people, who have been standing with us in our struggle. We are deeply indebted to you. We are also a part of the world family. The phantom of colonialism is still haunting the weaker nations everywhere in the world today, which I feel, should be stopped with collective efforts.

It was on this day the, 31st January, 1980, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) was formed and mandated by the National Assembly to salvage the nation from getting lost in the hands of the enemies and traitors. How wonderful is our God, the Jehovah! Let us give glory to Him at all times as we take the courage to follow the path guided by Him to save our land and people.

Ever since NSCN came into being we NSCN have proved ourselves as the bona fide Naga national workers who fought for

Respected comrades, friends, ladies and gentlemen. I give all Glory and Honour to our Almighty God Jehovah, for sustaining our lives and that of our nation!

I extend gratitude to Naga tribes, Churches, Village Headmen and all concerned civil societies for the unwavering co-operation in the search for honorable and acceptable political solution to the Indo-Naga conflict.

Today is a historic day in the life of the Naga people.

We are reminded of a political revival forty-four years ago. There was an upheaval in the political journey of the Nagas. A great political ramification resulting from the debacle of the 11th November, 1975 Shillong Accord. The foundation of the distinct Naga political identity and history, the pillars

“Democracy, discipline and enlightened is the finest thing in the world. A democracy prejudiced, ignorant, superstitious, will land itself in chaos and maybe selfdestroyed.”

-Mahatma Gandhi.

As Nagaland gears up for the assembly election to be polled on 27th of February 2023, there is now aggressive posturing of and even by the intending pristine new brooms. Whether the election will be a battle of the major contendersthe Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the Congress - or whether the presence of smaller parties like the Rising People’s Party (RPP), the Janata Dal (United), National People’s Party (NPP) and Independent Candidates will have a bearing on the outcome, is the big question.

The festival and the ritual Election, for all good reasons, is corresponded as the ‘festival of democracy’.

The Constitution of India, since it came into effect in 1950, has guaranteed the right to vote to every citizen above the age of 18 irrespective of (in our context)- tribes, gender, status, religion and place.

This stands as the cornerstone of our democracy allowing citizens to decide who governs and how. The the historical and sovereign rights of the Naga people.

I salute you all of you who stand courageously to uphold the national principles with revolutionary conviction.

My dear comradesin-common cause

Let us keep in mind that NSCN was built on the foundation of Naga national principles. We have to stand guard that we do not deviate from what NSCN stands for. The objectives of the manifesto of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) is mainly to safeguard and maintain the fundamental principles of Sovereign Independent Christian Socialist Democratic Republic of Nagalim founded on solid ground of our centuries old social system and modern sociopolitical scenario.

In the past years we have lost many faithful members who died in defense of the national principles. This is, therefore, an occasion to pay our highest respect to the brave of the Naga nationhood was shaken amid the widening communication gap and ideological differences among the leadership of the day. Reconciliation was impossible because hatred and mistrust had overtaken the sense of belonging and oneness among the Naga leaders.

After the signing of the Shillong Accord, there was a period of great political distress and dissatisfaction. The Naga National struggle needed condemnation of the act of treachery and needed redemption and restoration of the people’s movement. Sadly, the seeds of factionalism and tribalism broke out openly from its shell. The Naga Political movement needed a political rebirth. To wash away the stains of betrayal, on 31st January, 1980, a fresh initiative was undertaken with the formation of the National Socialist Council of hearts. We have come this far because of their courage and sacrifice in upholding the national principles at the cost of their precious lives. They went through horrendous times amidst tears, sweat and blood to show the way for the future of Naga nation.

Let us continue to exercise our revolutionary responsibility in order to fulfill the high level of faith and trust reposed in us by the people. NSCN is indeed mandated by the Naga people to negotiate with the Government of India for bringing an honourable solution to the longdrawn Indo-Naga political problem. So far, we have not wavered in defending the sovereign rights of the Naga nation.

This is well reflected when we signed the historic Framework Agreement the on 3rd August, 2015, in the presence of the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi.

The past year 2022 was a challenging year for

Nagaland (NSCN). Very fortunately, Naga rights and pride was restored but on the other side, disastrous division among the Nagas and consequent factional killings have left thousands of widows and orphans. This day restored the Naga rights but this did not stop the mistrust within. The Government of India (GoI) has taken maximum advantage and continue to exert and expand neo-colonialism in Naga homeland.

Dear friends, what we can proudly assert today or tomorrow is that, in the “AGREED POSITION” signed between the Working Committee (WC) and Government of India on 17th Nov. 2017, there is a clear political stance which says that the Government of India recognises historical and political right of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonant with

NSCN. We were placed in an unpredictable situation as the Government of India failed to respect the commitment to solve the Naga issue based on the Framework Agreement. We shall hold the ground and never surrender our sovereign right, our land and our people at any eventuality.

Let me be very clear that in the course of pursuing Naga solution on the basis of the Naga national principles, we shall uphold the recognized unique history and sovereign right of the Nagas at all cost, and no other agreement should come in between. We cannot afford to dilute the sanctity of the Naga political issue under any pretext.

Ever since NSCN brought Nagalim as a bona fide member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UN PO) on January 23, 1993, the world has been watching the unfolding development between the Nagas and the Indians their distinct history and identity.

This clear political statement and understanding set the tone for a political negotiation between the Working Committee of NNPGs and GoI interlocutor.

Today, In the name of democracy, India is conducting elections in Nagaland. The political leadership of India have diverted their attention to electioneering and party politics. This is unfair.

The Naga people are patient practitioners of ancient democratic values. Abstaining from democratic exercise too is a democratic right since the Indian leadership failed to perform its political task on the Naga issue.

Those Nagas preparing to contest in the Indian election representing different political parties have to understand the severity of the Naga situation.

This democratic exercise every

Election: The Baptization of Politics

right to vote has been a hard-won right for many citizens around the world, closely knitted to the broader struggle for political and social equality. It is a festival, in as Christian term, as it is ‘an opportunity to a new birth and a promise of hope that reaches even beyond death’.

But only if we are democratic, disciplined and enlightened. An election (or a vote, for the matter) is no small thing, not a light decision. If one is so casual about it, sh/e must spend a good chunk of time and try to figure out what an election is, who sh/e is, what it means to political parties, why they are spending a lot of money on it and why it all matters. It is the deepest part of our political identity and if exercised well, will ultimately propel our performances in most indices. While there can be no objection to treating an election as a festival, the many processes that go into the conduct of election have begun to be undermined, in the process weakening the functioning of democracy itself. The allegations of corruption and mal-practices, the sedentary office culture on one hand, and on the other, the efforts to curb and improve like the clean election campaign, anti-bribery resolutions adopted by village councils prove so. Independent analysts are rather skeptical about Nagaland topping the voters turnout list, simply refuting that “many more votes are cast than individuals queuing up before polling booths”.

If only we treat elections merely as fun festivals- the frenzy mounts, the porks in the candidate’s kitchen, the rum bottle, if celebrated with pomp and show and empty hyperbole- this may have serious implications for our democracy. We are inevitably remitted to representative democracy, and election is the occasion on which we choose our representatives. It is through election that we are governed by representatives, giving them the legitimacy, freely chosen by us all so that we are governed by ourselvesself-government. Given an honest and committed candidate to choose, it is a ritual of purification, an initiation into peace and security and harmony and well-being (in political terms- development, governance, justice, rule of law…) especially for the poorest among us. A cast so profound, yet often taken for granted, by almost all. The analoguesAnother facet of the prevailing conditions that deserves attention is the allegiance of elected representatives. A feature of a democratic society, that is commonly understood, is that the elected representatives actually repre - sent their electors. In other words, the elected representatives are expected to owe allegiance to those who elect them, vote for them. However, common experience is that while candidates do seek out voters before and during the election, once elected, the tables turn. Electors who have to seek out their elected representatives, who tend to become inaccessible. A voter who has cast a vote for a candidate who ends up being elected often thinks that sh/e has a right to approach the elected representative, but the latter seems to think sh/e does not owe anything to the voter. What rather prevails is that elected representatives seem to be working for their interests (the crorepatis) and political parties rather than for their electors.

‘Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know religion’ As a young boy, I remember playing a skit on John 13 (Jesus washing His disciple’s feet). How satisfying and comforting it is now to read about the ecclesiastical ceremony and to have a better grasp (at the risk of sounding like a Pastor): Peter, as prominent as he always has been, yet again made the scene. He did his best to decline Jesus’ effort to wash his feet to which Jesus answered, “If I do not wash you, you vis-a-vis the Indo-Naga political talks.

Significantly, Naga political issue came into the world focus when the historic Framework Agreement was signed on the 3rd August, 2015. However, the Government of India is yet to fulfill its commitment to the Naga people. The world at large is the witness. As a faithful soldier of the people, NSCN have stood the acid test of time and brought the issue thus far. NSCN is principlebased organization. Our confrontation with the aggressors is principle-based; our negotiation is principle-based and solution is also to be principle-based. Our stand on unity and reconciliation is also principle-based. Any move for solution or unity and reconciliation betraying the principle is treason. No one should doubt about it that NSCN is definitely for unity of all Nagas, but in the line of the principle.

Kuknalim

Q. Tuccu

five years have enabled thieves and scoundrels to flourish. Bankrupt minds have blurred the Naga vision. The hunger for five year power is threatening to destroy the future of Naga generations. Those clamouring for power will be answerable someday.

The international community will question lack of moral responsibility on the part of GoI. I believe GoI attention on Naga issue, or lack of it, will measure Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stature in the coming days. I hope our people will be able to differentiate between a democratic activity called periodic election and a negotiated political solution between two entities to end the political conflict. On the occasion of the 44th NSCN raising day, I wish our people peace and hope.

KUKNALIM!

Dated 31st January, 2023 have no part in me’’. He is there saying ‘unless you let me serve you, you do not know my love’. Jesus ‘’girded himself’’ accepting His duty to take care of them all. He showed what it means to love, and to all humans. (May Heavenly Father bless our leaders with all humbleness). Youth and the hope Traditions and political cultures of course are more in flux than static or bounded entities, and the politics of yesterday and today may not be the same tomorrow. But there is a general point: The idea of a democracy and democratic elections is a vague and insubstantial notion, a kind of fog of possibility. Recent observations show that the youths (particularly those in the age bracket of 18 to 19 years) show the lowest electoral participation, which otherwise would have been the stronghold for a just, clean and fair election.

Information gap among this segment along with the lack of motivation is a major factor leading to electoral participation being least of their concerns. This hiatus must be brought into focus by a myriad of concrete, specific choices and institutions.

The youths must be provided with opportunities to engage with the reality and interrogate with the injustices to create a just present. There is a clarion call for those in position (District Election Officers) to reinvigorate the young minds in the electoral education and revamp the platforms and programmes rolled out specifically for them. Educational institutions which provide platforms like Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs), Children Parliament, encouraging Campus Ambassadors, to engage students and youths through interesting activities and handson experience to sensitize them on their electoral rights, familiarizing them with the electoral process and voting and also channeling students to play crucial roles in community intervention programmes (success story of ELCs school students in Attappadi, Kerala) will go a long way as participatory education suffused with learning of the realities will equip them as better architects of the state. Given the opportunity with the passkey in our hands, the pursuit of a more democratic ethos is the need of the times, individual choices or the lack thereof can indeed make a difference.

Rampisinang Pipi Newme (The writer is currently studying Public Administration, based in New Delhi. He is to be a 2nd-time voter on 27th Feb, 2023 and he can be reached at pipinewme@ gmail.com).

Forest officer held for taking bribe

THANE, JAN 31 (PTI):

The Anti-Corruption Bureau has arrested a zonal forest officer of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 6,000 for allowing transportation of sand trucks to Yeoor Hills in Maharashtra’s Thane city, the ACB said on Tuesday. The 50-year-old accused allegedly demanded from the owner of the trucks Rs 600 each for 10 of his vehicles for sand transportation on January 23, an ACB release said. The truck owner approached the ACB which laid a trap and caught the accused on Monday while accepting Rs 6,000 from the complainant near Upvan Lake in the city, it said. A case was registered against the accused under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the ACB added.

Class 12 student stabbed to death

NEW DELHI, JAN 31 (PTI): A Class 12 student was allegedly stabbed to death following a quarrel between two groups in southeast Delhi’s Okhla area, police said on Tuesday. The 18-year-old victim, a resident of JJ camp in Okhla Phase II, was a student at Kalkaji school, they said. There was a quarrel between two groups of students near Hansraj Sethi Park during which the boy allegedly suffered stab wounds to the chest. He was admitted to Purnima Sethi Hospital where he succumbed, according to the police. A case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered. CCTV footage from the area has been checked and local enquiry is being conducted to identify and trace the culprits, the police said.

Man kills wife on street

PALGHAR, JAN 31 (PTI): A 45-year-old man from Boisar town in Palghar district of Maharashtra allegedly killed his 40-year-old wife by slitting her throat on a street and also attempted suicide, police said. Prima facie, the man suspected his wife’s fidelity and attacked her with a sharp weapon. He also slashed himself. Police personnel who rushed to the spot at around 12:30 pm found the man lying injured near the body of his wife and their two children crying.