By Imna Longchar
Dimapur (Nagaland), Nov 11: Former Governor of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and Odisha, and five times Nagaland Chief Minister, Dr. SC Jamir on Wednesday arrived Nagaland to a rousing welcome led by Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD), and the tribal hohos under Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) amid tight security in the Dimapur Airport.
Dr. Jamir, who is a veteran Naga politician and the lone survivor of the 16 Points Agreement, was on Nov 8 conferred the Country’s 3rd Highest Civilian Award-Padma Bhushan 2020 for his exceptional and distinguished services in the field of Public Affairs at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
Born on October 17, 1931, at Ungma Village, under Mokokchung district, Nagaland, the veteran politician whose political career spans over 60 years and considered a “authority” in Naga political history, is first ever Naga politician to be conferred with the award.
Meanwhile, on Nov 9, when the Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD) led by its president, Issac Charenamei, and general secretary, Vitso Rio, called on the veteran Naga politician at Nagaland House, New Delhi, to congratulate him for the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award.
The NSUD team was also accompanied by its Advisors, Kuolie Mere and Maivio J Woba.
Interacting with the student’s leaders, Dr. Jamir, shared that Nagas cannot effort to remain static and need to move forward with the fast changing world.
Emphasizing on the importance of the present, Dr. Jamir lamented on how Nagas are still stuck in the past and therefore, he said that the only way for the Nagas to move forward was to “live and excel” in the present.
He asked the student leaders not to only take pride in the past history but rather make history in the present and further advised them also not follow the wrong-doings of their older generations but to cultivate the work culture in this fast changing world so as to contribute something in nation building.
He further opined that Nagas have two identities of which one was the Christian identity and the other being the Naga identity comprising of honesty, hardwork and courage.
Stating that excellence is an “achievable commodity”, Dr. Jamir said that the only way to achieve “excellence” is through handwork for which he encouraged the younger generations to live up to it.
President, NSUD, Isaac Charenamei, expressed his happiness and on behalf of the 50 thousand members of NSUD, congratulated Dr SC Jamir on him being conferred the very prestigious award and appealed that young Naga youth hope and wish that under his abled leadership and guidance, all Naga could be able to come together and live in unity.
NSUD general secretary, Vitso Rio, while acknowledging Dr SC Jamir’s innumerable contributions for the Naga society in every possible area, also thanked him for always being an exemplary ambassador and a true torch bearer for Naga people.
He further stated that unity and oneness is the only way forward for the Naga’s at this juncture.
Mavio who is also the Advisor of the Union acknowledged the past misunderstanding and spoke on the importance of Unity and oneness amongst the Naga’s at this very crucial juncture and called upon the respected unions who have distanced themselves from NSUD to consider being a part of the bigger Naga family again, so as to constructively work for the greater welfare of our people.
