Naga Hoho celebrated its silver jubilee by organising a programme at Hotel Japfü here Saturday on the theme “Unity & Fraternity”. Speaking on the occasion as special guest, former president of Naga Hoho, Keviletuo Kiewhuo, stressed on the need to unify the Nagas by way of making friends instead of enemies. He said that the celebration was also a time to honour the pioneers who had given their best and did a good job.
Kiewhuo observed that while the hoho celebrates its achievements it should also admit its failures as no government or organization was perfect. Pointing out that Naga Hoho was built by the Nagas, he suggested that the hoho should look back at its journey and ponder if it has overlooked the grievances of the people.
“Nagas all over should be equal but Nagas of Nagaland think we are the fathers and mothers or Naga people. We are divided as a people. We need to overcome this to achieve greater goals,” Kiewhuo said. He observed that there were more divisions among the Nagas in place of unity.
He maintained that Naga Hoho has many splinter groups including numerous “unnecessary groups” that had all been planned very well by adversaries. Former NH president claimed that disunity of Naga people was the handiwork of the government of India’s intelligentsia and other agencies.
He wondered when even a single Naga tribe was divided then what would be the aspirations of Nagas.
Delivering welcome address, Naga Hoho president, HK Zhimomi, said the objective behind the forming the Naga hoho was to bring Nagas together especially Nagas from other states.
He said Naga visionary leaders formed Naga Hoho and under its banner all the Nagas came together and tried to work hard for Naga unity, which actually did happen at one point in time and people were happy. However, Zhimomi said that “unfortunately because of the different interests” the present officials were worried as to how to go about.
In this regard, he appealed to all responsible to uphold the legacy of the hoho at the same time help rebuild and strengthened if the people want to achieve the desired goal.
Zhimomi observed that the main reason behind unresolved Naga political issue was because of the disunity among the Nagas. He said the ball was “actually in the court of Nagas” as it would be the people who would have to say yes or no.
He, therefore, said the people would have to work together to restrengthening and rebuilding Naga Hoho.
Further, NH president said that the present team could not be strong enough because they did not have the support especially within the Naga home. He urged everyone to think over and see that the legacy would be fulfilled with the coming together of all the Naga tribes. “Comings days should be the days of Naga common unity,” Zhimomi said.
Sharing the jubilee message, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) convenor, Rev. Dr. Wati Aier expressed hope that this would be an opportunity for Nagas to plan for future generation.
He said that the birth of Naga Hoho was to nurture the dream of an inclusive Naga.
Stating that Nagas have become too idealistic and not imaginative enough, Rev.Aier said it was time the people have to nurture their collective consciousness and move beyond the colonised mind set.
FNR convenor observed that the greatest weakness of Naga political groups was the unwillingness to accept the differences. “We have to define unity. We have to know that we are different but love and cooperate with each other and that is unity. Nagas need to be creative in how we adapt to our political reality,” Rev. Aier said.
He challenged the Nagas to move from idealistic nationalism to constructive nationalism without distorting the history and political rights of Nagas. He also stressed the need to get together and chalk out the best way for the Nagas.
FNR convenor observed that Nagas have so many organisations which was further dividing the people. He suggested that Nagas need to be united and should therefore strengthen the Naga Hoho and that Nagas everywhere should learn to love each other and grow stronger.
Earlier, the jubilee monolith dedicated by Rev. Dr. Wati Aier was unveiled by Keviletuo Kiewhuo at Naga Hoho office complex, Kohima.
The programme was chaired by NH general secretary, Elu Ndang while invocation was offered by senior pastor SABCK, Rev Dr Kiyeto G Sema.
Solidarity messages were delivered by United Naga Council, Naga Hoho TCL (AP), Zeliangrong-Rengma Joint Council Assam, Eastern Nagas (Myanmar), Naga Students Federation, Naga Mothers Association and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights.
A folk music was presented by Chinia Kayina & Chovoa Kayina, special presentations were made by Adane Ozhuo and Keneisenuo Sorhie while vote of thanks was proposed by NH vice president Samson Remei.