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opinion/EDITORIAL
Nagaland Post Vol. XXVI NO. 278 Dimapur, wednesday, September 14, 2016
I
Depriving Dimapur
t is well known that the state government, that includes its bureaucratic policy makers and elected representatives, who have made development and progress their mantra, do not seem to look beyond their own respective interests and so largely tend to ignore the larger interest of the state and its people so much so that on many occasions, these have acted against the interest of Nagaland. Close on the heels of Nagaland Post published a series of reports about how Nagaland has been deprived of the facilities provided by the Railways and decisions that are against the interest of the travelling train passengers of Dimapur, the Railway Contractors Union Nagaland(RCUN) has responded. On the other hand neither the government of Nagaland, the chief minister and the two MPs have done anything following the report to send a strong message to the centre. It is quite surprising that the state government, the chief minister and the two MPs do not seem to see the issue as important. The RCUN has reacted to the report published by Nagaland Post, that the Railway authorities ensconced at the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) headquarters at Maligaon (Guwahati); have decided to shift Dimapur from Lumding Division to Tinsukia Division. An earlier report had revealed, that the process began with the shifting of the court jurisdiction from Dimapur to Tinsukia. What the mere administrative shifting of the court jurisdiction from Dimapur to Tinsukia meant, was that it was a precursor of bigger things and it eventually unravelled when the administrative control of Dimapur railway station was shifted from Lumding Division to Tinsukia Division. After the court jurisdiction shifted from Dimapur to Tinsukia and began trying cases of offences under Dimapur; it was revealed that advocates in Tinsukia prevented their counterparts from Dimapur to represent their clients in the magistrate’s court in Tinsukia. The logistics behind the idea to transfer Dimapur station to Tinsukia was not only illogical but questionable. Lumding is around 69 Kms from Dimapur; whereas, Tinsukia is 265 Kms away. The distance may not mean much but if there is no immediate and pressing urgency, it would have made better sense to maintain status quo in the interest of hundreds of people who would have to travel 265 Kms to Tinsukia from Dimapur for office matters instead of just 69 Kms to Lumding. Lumding Division’s operational area may have expanded with addition of Silchar or Jiribam etc, but it was not reason enough. RCUN in its memorandum stated that if Dimapur Railway station is brought under Tinsukia, which is 265 KMs from Dimapur, there would be undue delay in all commercial bookings of Business Racks under SLR Booking which is usually done in Lumding Div. HQ, just 69 kms from Dimapur. The entire gamut of degrading Dimapur (just like how it was done by then Indian Airlines now Air India, when the Kolkata region practically downgraded Dimapur airport by depriving passengers of facilities). The same logic appears to have been instrumental for various decisions made by NFR at Maligaon, mainly to develop other stations in Assam at the expense of Dimapur. In fact, owing to the fact that Dimapur is the second highest revenue earning station for the NFR, there is more logic to upgrade Dimapur as a Division and introduce at least five of the 40 long and middle distance trains at Dimapur.
DailyDevotion After Surrender— Then What?
I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. —John 17:4 True surrender is not simply surrender of our external life but surrender of our will— and once that is done, surrender is complete. The greatest crisis we ever face is the surrender of our will. Yet God never forces a person’s will into surrender, and He never begs. He patiently waits until that person willingly yields to Him. And once that battle has been fought, it never needs to be fought again. Surrender for Deliverance. “Come to Me…and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). It is only after we have begun to experience what salvation really means that we surrender our will to Jesus for rest. Whatever is causing us a sense of uncertainty is actually a call to our will— “Come to Me.” And it is a voluntary coming. Surrender for Devotion. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself…” (Matthew 16:24). The surrender here is of my self to Jesus, with His rest at the heart of my being. He says, “If you want to be My disciple, you must give up your right to yourself to Me.” And once this is done, the remainder of your life will exhibit nothing but the evidence of this surrender, and you never need to be concerned again with what the future may hold for you. Whatever your circumstances may be, Jesus is totally sufficient (see 2 Corinthians 12:9 and Philippians4:19). Surrender for Death. “…another will gird you…” (John 21:18; also see John 21:19). Have you learned what it means to be girded for death? Beware of some surrender that you make to God in an ecstatic moment in your life, because you are apt to take it back again. True surrender is a matter of being “united together [with Jesus] in the likeness of His death” (Romans 6:5) until nothing ever appeals to you that did not appeal to Him. And after you surrender— then what? Your entire life should be characterized by an eagerness to maintain unbroken fellowship and oneness with God.
Quotes
If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. ~ Bob Hope
Nagaland Post, Dimapur wednesday, September 14, 2016
Post-mortem
To Narendra Modi, ‘The Strongest PM of India’
Sub:- Submission of few important suggestions before the honorable Prime Minister of India for early appropriate action Hon’ble Sir, With due respect and humble submission, the undersigned would like to submit few lines of important suggestions before you for favor of your kind consideration and necessary prompt action after well examine. 1. That Sir, the human are created by the almighty God who also created the sky, the earth, the seas and all things in its existence with the day and night and created the man and the woman in his image to live over all the wonderful things he created under the sky. He created us and empowered us as the owner and as the kings in place of him over the whole world. And as such, the Nagas as well as the Christians within the country can never be accepted that the human were become from monkey means the monkey is the father of the man or the cows are the mother of Indians. Let us teach the countrymen that the human being is human and the animals are animals and no one should have confusion on it. And I requested you to control all the national political parties within the India not to bring anymore problems in our country side through politics or religion. As because, politics is not religion and there should not be any more confusion through politics within our land. 2. Yearly the rainfalls will be continued and it will affect the farmers who are living in the low land areas and yearly it is happening and we cannot stop the rain and the flood which will be continued till earth exists. In this regard why not the GOI give direction to all the respective Chief Minister within the country side and let them help the farmers to live within the hill lock areas in
every states in order to save the life of the farmers within India so that the farmers and their properties will be saved yearly from the floods so that the rate of flood victims and their yearly relief will come down into the lowest level so that only the headache of GOI will be solved automatically that the Government should not allowed the farmers to live in the low lands or over the river bank areas so that the farmers will not suffer any more. 3. That Sir, in continuation of 33% women reservation share that no man should have any confusion and opposition about it. As, because, the Almighty God created the woman (Eve) for the man (Adam) and blesses them with everything to the wife and husband as free of cost and empowered them to subdue all over the world and also allowed them to live under the sky to rule over the whole world. And man and woman living together within a house is a purpose of God. And as such, we must allow the woman to live with Adam in every house of Adam without any cost. And allow the best and most qualified woman candidate to come into every house as nominee either by tribe wise or district wise in every states. The Government may be increased some more assembly constituencies in every states within the country to accommodate the most capable and qualified woman representative among the women through selection or lottery system as women representatives, there also must be some provisions for the woman as Raja Sabha MPs in every state level or the woman qualified candidates may also contest in election for Lok Sabha MP and the same woman candidates may
GDRN/NNC (Non-Accord) on impeachment of president
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he existing Government of the Democratic Republic of Nagaland, headed by newly elected president Kumcho Yim by the existing regional representatives on the day of the impeachment of ex-president Kiumukam Yim, I and ex-president were doing as a Naga National leaders for a good number of years in which I did not know or seen what his right hand was doing for himself but truly speaking that we work together with only his left hand as leader. I am not at all a pleasure of his impeachment by charging his immature attitudes and activities. The Nagas in general have heard or seen clearly of the ex-president’s manners and his activities such as extortion and conspiracy of silence in many ways was a great consternation to me, for I never knew or involved in his unbecoming style of corruption as a national leader. I was totally in dark in this affair of him, only when 32 AR reveals the detailed accounts of his activities it gave me total shock. He was arrested and put him in the east police station that I personally attended and even in judiciary court for his release, of course he was just in custody for more than a week but when he was about to release from jail, I was waiting impatiently but to my utter shock he was hidden away from me and could not trace him out where his about. However, lastly I came to know of his presence in corner of the city. I personally went in search of him and asked him to attend the on going meeting but utterly embarrassed to me that he would not attend the meeting but he was going to court for another urgent works. So I carefully assessed of his attentions that he was totally compounded by imaginary of fears that which were unexplainable to his fellow workers of his own mis-
chievous acts. No matter, we were working as a faithful political leader, but when everything revealed infront of the Nagas, I now felt so regretted that he was working with us using his right hand in the hidden moreover using his two tongue to his fellow workers were clearly seen. Now I want to ask the Naga citizens and irrespective of Naga political groups and high ranking leaders that should Nagas in general support the extortion leader as a Naga National leader? I heard and informed to me personally that an inkling of supporting my ex-president who was declared extortionist in the dailies as well as physically. If so, should any Naga political groups follow the foot prints? Many allegation has made against GDRN/NNC (Non-Accord)by so called MIP kilonser of Ex-President gang but it does not make sense to us because we have democratic principles. Therefore, termination of kilonsers in GDRN Govt. is baseless, as any termination of kilonsers shall done through Ato kilonser rather the so called MIP Kilonser of Ex-President gang does not have enrollment recorded in GDRN govt. He comes and go, so now our GDRN/NNC (Non-Accord) reaffirmed not to follow the unbecoming steps that was created by our ex-president by any means. We the GDRN/NNC (Non-Accord) under the leadership of Kumcho Yim president, carrying out the Naga National service in truth with bright visions and to shun the wrath of our Almighty God, as well as the seething and the smouldering of Nagas in general rather we continue stand for the Naga Nation for the days to come. Hangping Zeliang, Ato kilonser, GDRN/NNC (NON-ACCORD)
be selected throughout every states level by the elected members of the house. And the same similar system may be applied under any constituted municipal also. No authority should be opposed the policy of the Government in women reservation act. As because, this wonderful world is created by God for man and women to live together. 4. That Sir, the adequate compensations for the Naga political victims must come to Nagas through the Naga political final settlement as honorable and amicable settlement according to the memorandum submitted to the honourable President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee on 01/12/2013 which memorandum has been already sent to the office of the Prime Minister of India New Delhi on 18/12/13 without any objection. In this Naga political final settlement process, the real public leaders from grassroot levels of the Naga respective villages are the Naga village chiefs and their signatures or thumb impression will be very much required as confirmation of the settlement. As because, the Naga nation is only villages nation and the Nagaland state is also only villages state, there is no other authority to sign on behalf of the Naga respective villages except the village chiefs in English and gaon burah in hindi, for which act of your kindness, I on behalf of the whole Naga village chiefs (GBs) shall be grateful to you and will ever remain praying for you. Your kind acknowledgement will be highly appreciated. T. L. Angami, Founder President & Sr. Advisor, Nagaland Village Chief (GB) Federation (NGBF), Kuda Nagaland
T
hey say the sky is the limit. Well, I beg to differ. For the Naga women, the sky is just the starting point. They can go well past the Stratosphere and reach for the stars, Sun, and Moon. They have never ceased to amaze with their talents, winning attitude and the unquenchable desire to excel. Call me patronizing or biased if you want to, but I have enough proof to back my “bias”. The Naga women today have made their presence felt in different fields, ranging right from Defense to the world of Glamour and Fashion to the Online world, and even Sports. The latest in the list of trendsetters and achievers is the 22-year-young Vinatoli Yeptho who has recently taken the internet by storm. Her slam poetry about discrimination against women from the Northeast has made people sit up and take notice. Without sounding arrogant and brash, she has tactfully sent across a very strong message. There has been a lot of hue and cry about the injustice meted out to women from the Northeast in other states but none have been as effective as Vinatoli in educating the ignorant about the largely misunderstood women from the Northeast. And while Vinatoli is a path breaker in her own right, we also often get to read success stories of Naga female students topping University exams and bagging gold medals in other states. This is, without an iota of doubt, an irrefutable proof that they are at par or even better than their counterparts from other states. Wait, we are just about getting started. Another Naga woman to have carved a niche for herself in recent times is Limatola Longkumer who is regarded as one of the best illustrators in India. Her works have been featured in Cupick blog, Polkacafe,Sketchnotes, Campusdiaries and Nagaland Page. And while some can write powerfully and sketch beautifully, there are countless others who can croon like a dream and have you spellbound. One budding talent in particular that caught
from time-tested traditional practices in village republic and not from any conceived theory. The sovereignty of Nagaland is indivisible because the sovereignty of Nagaland as declared and mandated was for a holistic sovereignty. Therefore, people-centric solution minus territorial sovereignty will have no finality. Truth was the foundation. Deviation from truth will not yield finality. Despite repeated attempts to erase Naga nationalism, it has persisted because truth was amiss. It will live until truth is the finality. The finality in question is the permanent peaceful relationship between India and Nagaland, each respecting the other’s sovereignty. People, who had crossed over to comfort zone by own volition need to learn to respect the ideals of past leaders and appreciate their sacrifices. They are morally responsible towards the gone-by leaders, their living progenies and those persevering true nationalists alive. Sooner than later, Nagas need to realize that the contemporary ‘realism theory’ is a deceptive theory that will lead us to self-destruction to the point of no return and painful regret. Sovereignty of Nagaland is not something that Nagas can achieve by the twist of fate like statehood, orchestrated by a section of non-actors. It was a pre-destined goal mandated by all that demands equal bearing by all. (Concluded) Dr. K. Hoshi, Phek Town
n a recent conversation with a former Correspondent of the Times of India at Mumbai, after several days of interaction, I told my friend: “Both of us are of the same age and both of us are of the same profession, but do you realize that we have lived our lives in totally different situations.” When my friend asked, “How is that so?” I replied him thus: “In 1956, you were born into a world where your country was free from political occupation and oppression but in my case, I was born into a world of occupation and oppression. I went on to say: Because of your political freedom, you were able to pursue your dreams and ambitions without any internal or external threats. You have also had the joy of seeing your country develop into a powerful nation because of its freedom and liberty. But as for me and my generation, we have lived our entire lives under political oppression where even our right to life had been nullified by heinous Indian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. I concluded by saying: “As for me and my people, we are still yet to start to dream or pursue our ambitions. We are yet to start to live…” Yes, 60 years is a long period in an individual’s life and seventy years is also a long period in a nation’s life span; but for all Nagas, we have seen only military occupation, oppression and stagnation for the past 70 years- August 1947-August 2016. Nevertheless, what is the foundation of Naga nationalism and sovereignty, which has been able to withstand all these years of oppression? As rightly pointed out by Dr. Hoshi, “The ideal sovereign Nagaland originated from time tested traditional practices
in village republics and not from a conceived theory.” (The ideals of Naga nationalism-A reflection, Morung Express, Sept.12, 2016). Naga nationalism and Naga sovereignty is indeed based on concrete historical, political and cultural facts. Here Nagas are not defending a Naga sovereignty residing in their body parts (As opposed to sovereignty is with the people theory) but a sovereignty that is based on an unconquered territory called Nagaland which had been inhabited by Nagas from time immemorial. This concrete land and concrete people are not an idealistic theory but a geographical and anthropological reality. And Naga nationalism is fidelity to these historical and political facts. In other words, Naga nationalism is not an aspiration for a nationalistic ideal but a defense of a national reality and geography. This Naga nationalistic reality was not a product of Phizo’s idealistic imagination but a historical and physical reality upon which Phizo built his Naga nationalism. In other words, the historical reality and platform was already there before Phizo stepped into the picture in the 1940’s. I make these distinctions, because though Phizo had deservedly been given the political title of “The father of the nation,” the real spiritual father of the Naga nation is God and not Phizo or any other Naga. This fact is also true of every nations in human history (Acts 17:26). In conclusion, Naga nationalism is not based on some fantasyoriented idealism but based on a real people and a real land. Naga nationalism therefore, will continue to live on as long as the Naga people and their land exist. Kaka D. Iralu
A tribute to the Naga women
The ideals of Naga nationalism – a reflection
(From previous issue) What was the problem with India, if the Naga village republics on having recognized their common lineage, decided to co-exist as one corporate nation state? The definition of Westphalian sovereignty stands witness that all sovereign nation states exist in the principle of this ideal. The ideal of sovereign Nagaland, though unique in its own way, was not an exception. Territorial definition is the mainstay of sovereignty. Sovereignty lies with the people is an abstract, people-centric theory of sovereignty without territorial definition. The definition of shared sovereignty is selfexplanatory. In simple interpretation, it means two people-entities of one structural (read territorial) unit (read sovereignty) sharing its powers and functions through constitutional arrangement. In the context of Nagas, ‘Shared sovereignty’ and ‘Sovereignty lies with the people’ seemed to derive from contemporary political theories aimed at finding peoplecentric solution to India-created problems. India violated the sovereignty of Nagaland by her aggression. That was the core problem. While, such theories postulated for transitional solution may not be altogether unacceptable or may even be inevitable for some time, history is clear that the only finality will be sovereignty. The ideal for sovereign Nagaland originated
I
The foundation of Naga nationalism
my attention a few years ago is teenager Imtiyala Jamir (She was 12 then). Her rendition of Demi Lovato’s Skyscraper is as good as, if not better, than the original. She has all the trappings to become Nagaland’s very own Demi Lovato. Another Naga youngster to have created quite a stir is Moajungla Jamir with her rendition of Dolly Parton’s Coat of Colours. There is also the unmistakable Tetseo sisters who have drawn the attention of musicians from others parts of India. Their Folk Mix version of Barso Re is an absolute masterpiece!! There are many others besides the few I have mentioned and if I have to list them all, I better write a book. In the field of sports, PV Sindhu and Sakshi Malik are currently of the toast of the country with their exploits in the Rio Olympics but I am keen to follow the progress of Lenien Jamir who plays for Assam and won the Under-16 SAI-AITA Super Series tournament held in Guwahati earlier this year. I just hope she has all the support to rise through the ranks and compete at the highest level. My write-up also would be incomplete without the mention of archer Chekrovolu Swuro who represented India in various international tournaments and even won medals. The greatest sportswoman to have emerged from the Northeast is undoubtedly Mary Kom but Nagaland has also richly contributed to the National women’s boxing team with the presence of a coach, Tsungchetrenla Tzudir. Not just mentally sharp, the Naga women are also physically strong. The year 2010 is one that I will remember for a long time. I was a television producer in Bengaluru then. In the build-up to the Commonwealth Games, news of scandals and financial misappropriation flew thick and fast with the infamous Suresh Kalmadi at the centre of it all. But when the Games finally got underway, the sight of Naga women in combat fatigues patrolling the streets of New Delhi was
therapeutic to say the least. It made me proud and I had something to boast about. The 800-odd women police from Nagaland made all of Nagaland proud even as they got a pat and word of praise from the then Union Minister P Chidambaram. It is just not with the pen, palette, microphone or assault rifle that the Naga women are adept. It is also a well known fact they are blessed with good looks, flawless skin and silky hair. I often tell my friends from other states that women in Nagaland don’t need Fair and Lovely or Sunsilk. They just need to hold themselves with confidence and poise and that is enough to turn heads and mesmerize. Talk about quintessential Naga beauty and the first name that comes to mind is that of Imlibenla Wati, Miss World Beauty India. Nagaland has also given India and the world some of the most stunning and gorgeous supermodels. To name a few; Ketholeno Kense, Esther Jamir, Akuonuo Khezhie, Kethose Nagi, Ethiel Konyak,and Carol Humtsoe. I have listed a few achievers but I am prompted to write this article mainly because of those who silently work behind the scenes and never call it quits. As a Language and Phonetics trainer in Dimapur, my association with my Naga female students has been most rewarding. I teach Phonetics to people from different communities and the Naga female students are invariably better than the others because of a minimal Mother Tongue Influence. Amongst my students, there are also those in their mid 40s who still have the desire to learn try their best to speak English because of the need of English today. This article is dedicated to them; women who silently work hard without expecting any fame, juggle between work, taking care of the children and husband, and learning at the same time. Samuel Beech, (agentbeech007@gmail.com)
Reader’s Post
Sir,
Solving nursing shortage: a common priority
The UTNA (Unemployed Trained Nurses Associated) is of late bearing the crunches of the indifferent attitude of the department. Proper health care and service is vital for everyone. In rural areas, CHC, PHC is responsible to reach out the remote areas. But in Nagaland CHC, PHC are virtually non-existent in many parts of the state due to scarcity of resources and manpower due to which the public has lost confidence with the govt hospitals and health centres and instead go to private hospitals/ clinics paying huge amount of their hard earned cash. Should CHC/ PHC be properly maintained with adequate infrastructure and manpower, I am sure people will flock to the govt. hospitals/clinic thereby minimizing expenditure. If govt attend to this problem on priority by employing the trained nurses in conformity to the INC and IPHS, it will go a long way to meet the need of the society in general and the UTNA in particular. Nursing being a technical job, only those who are trained and qualified fit into this job. No doubt govt inducts the trained nurses on out of turn basis, but hardly meet the need of the requisite requirements. Some trained nurses who have completed training for some 12 to 15 years ago are yet to find regular govt job. Here let me get a point, if these trained nurses get employment after crossing the otherside of 40 years, we can’t expect.... quality and optimum output from the nurses, they will get retirement serving only about 15 to 20 years of service. While it is a fact that optimum period to get maximum output of one’s service is between 20 to 40 years of age. The department should find a way to avail the resource of manpower while in its prime. It will be disheartening if the voice of the UTNA goes unheard. Department should stop creating an issue out of this and come out with practical remedial measures at the earliest or things might get out of hand. If the department “the guardian of authority”, fails, who will do it ? Our state is lagging behind the other states of India in several areas. How do we keep pace with the rapid development taking place everywhere ? The department should stop giving a poor image of itself, but instead come forward in implementing measures which does not compromise with the interest of the UTNA in particular and the health care of the public in general. Yapang Kohima, Nagaland
Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.