‘Healing garden’ inaugurated at Medziphema

A “healing garden”, an initiative of Naga historian and peace activist Dr. Visier Sanyü Meyasets, was inaugurated on January 27 at Medziphema.
Sharing his vision for the “healing garden”, Dr. Visier Sanyü, said he had always wanted to come back home after the long journey away.
While acknowledging the opportunities that opened for him, Dr Visier also spoke about his painful experiences.
Expressing the desire to return home and give back something, he decided to make a healing garden to be enjoyed by generations to come.
He also pointed out that growing trees for future generations was the right thing to do.  He also expressed the hope that the healing garden would be a place for peace, tranquility, sharing and healing.
Climate scientist from New Zealand Alan Porteus in his inaugural address termed climate change as the biggest environmental challenge of the day and pointing out that “our way of living is damaging the world”.
Pointing out that human kind cannot flourish without it, Porteus called for protecting the diversity of the natural world.
Alan Porteus who is a climate scientist with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand, hoped that the healing garden and the vision set forth by Dr. Visier would bring about the “possibility of a new Nagaland” and with that the possibility of a world that works for everyone.
Noted peace activist Niketu Iralu also shared his thoughts for the garden. “In Nagaland we are learning…exploring ideas for building a new world. The healing of our lives and rebuilding relationship is the most important responsibility”, he said and hoped that the healing garden will play its part.
Earlier in the programme, peace activist from Japan, Megumi Kanematsu said that after meeting her Naga friends, she had learned and understood more clearly the historical role of Japan in Asia, especially the involvement in World War II. She went on to admit that Naga people had suffered because of Japan.
Addressing the programme, Alec McRitchie from Ireland shared about his observation about healing.
On the healing garden, McRitchie said that Dr. Visier Sanyü was creating a “wonderful place to which people can come and reflect upon and find out what their life’s purpose can be”.
Besides family, friends, well wishers from Nagaland, the inauguration of the Healing Garden, located in Medziphema, saw guests from Ireland, Japan, New Zealand lending their support and solidarity.
The programme was chaired by Pari Sanyü Meyasetsu and Asa Chase while vote of thanks was pronounced by Kevisato Sanyü Meyasetsu. Former General Secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Rev Zhabu Terhüja said the prayer for the healing garden.