By Chizokho Vero
Chief Guest Pu Zoramthanga with NSF president at the NSF general conference at Pfutsero on April 28. (Morung Photo)
24th NSF General Conference 2011
Pfutsero (Nagaland), Apr 29 : Former chief minister of Mizoram Pu Zoramthanga today asserted that a time has come to maintain economic stability rather than military and political power in the wake of the change of political scenario in this modern world. Speaking at the 24th general conference of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) here this morning, he maintained that economic stability is deciding factor for any nation today.
“Now, it is economy world,” he said and termed it as very important aspect. He went on to state that unless there is economic stability in case of Mizoram and Nagaland “we are nowhere” as compared to other mighty economic power. Zoramthanga also declared that his first task would be on economic stability if he returns to power in his state, so that the people would find place to support themselves and stand firm from any adversary.
Admitting the bright prospect of bamboo for boosting economy of the north eastern states, he encouraged the people to focus on lati foras species which would bring handsome income. Spreading his economic gospel for the whole north eastern states, Zoramthanga said the region could become a gold mine if the people make the best use of the abundant bamboo resources available in the region.
He agreed that Nagas are economically stable but comparing with the world it is not stable even in case of Mizoram. He said that Nagaland has potential to make a good headway in economy front taking the advantage of receiving good rainfall, energetic people and land resources unlike Delhi which has more population but lack of rainfall and shortfall of land. Nagas, he said, has more privilege to become economically stable if they can put together all such assets into practice in proper manner. In this, he called for the best utilization of land, which is the greatest asset from God.
He was appreciative of the NSF for choosing “Reaching Out” as its 24th conference theme, which he said was its attempt to reach out to the neighbouring states and abroad as well to make better Naga people.
He opined that in order to make a successful politician or leader in any organization, one should have a sense of “reaching out” and should not be selfish, adding that one has to develop patience. He described the theme “reaching out” as Christian thing and humanitarian approach. He called upon the NSF to continue such approach and stretch their hand to north east as it is good for others too.
Earlier, NSF president Mutsikhoyo Yhobu in his presidential address said founders of NSF have clearly articulated for a Unified Lim and Glory of the Nagas. While paying highest tributes to the founding fathers and the worthy successors, he said “we thought it best that, we need to reiterate the clarion call given by our predecessors and accordingly the conference theme has been befitting chosen as Reaching Out Within and Outside.”
The artificial and notional boundary created both by India and Myanmar will not come our way in the quest for living together as a nation. Our leaders have unambiguously articulated this stance and so will we continue to strive for this rightful position stated by our leaders. NSF ever since its formation has been steadfast, unwavering towards the peaceful coexistence of our people.
However, it is lamentable today that there are divisions, misunderstanding within us. Intrinsic external forces are always at work to divide us for which I would like to call upon all to be on guards of such divisive plans. Having said that, I would like to state that, within and outside, we have people who are selflessly working for the common good of our people,” Yhobu said.
He reminded that when the present team of NSF assumed office in 2009, ethnic conflict broke out between Dimasas and Zeme Nagas in Haflong district of Assam in June 2009 threatening the coexistence of the two communities. To reduce misunderstanding and hatred between the two communities, it undertook a goodwill mission comprising all the NSF Federating Units to the conflict area for three days.
On reaching the spot and hearings the voices of the people, we saw the need to bring both the conflicting groups to a dialogue. Accordingly, we arranged a meeting with both the key leaders of both the communities and a platform was created for dialogue and shared understanding and communal harmony. Thus, with our intervention, communication between the two communities has been restored and the situation has been normalised. A happy augury of the outcome of this visit has been reduction of misunderstanding and hatred between the two communities and restoration of normalcy in the area.
He said, for long, NSF has been pained with the various anomalies prevalent in the Nagaland Public Service Commission. Understanding and appreciating that if corrective measures are not undertaken to address the anomalies in the highest recruiting board of the state, the future of the younger generation was at stake.
“Thus, NSF carried out demonstration and protest rally to pressurize the Government. The Government of the day has taken cognizance of our grievances and has accordingly taken action on the guilty especially in the tainted swapping of answer scripts. NSF would continue to remain alive to indifferent attitude of institutions that perpetrates injustice to the younger generation,” he said.
Stating that employment in state beyond Government sector is limited in the near absence of Industries and private players, he said “ While looking forward to more private players coming to the state for more investment and generation of gainful employment of our people, we perhaps look at the Government for fair and just distribution of employment to the younger generation. Thus, we urged the Government to rationalize the length of service of Government employees as many employees have manipulated their superannuation age. Accordingly Government has fixed the length of service to that of 35 years and enhancing the superannuation age to that of 60 years.”
Following the implementation of Nagaland Retirement from Public Employment Act 2009, he said, various departments have reported of backdoor employment giving opportunity to people who matter and who have the connection negating fair and equitable distribution of employment.
In this regard, he said the NSF had put up stiff resistance to such malpractices and have held several parleys with the Executives and the Political Leadership and assured that the NSF would continue to resist such practices and would remain vigilant in the days to come.
Recalling “the gory incident of 6th May 2010 at Mao Gate wherein two innocent students Lt. Chakho and Lt. Loshu were killed and as many as 70 people manhandled by the Manipur Commandos”, Yhobu said “. Prior to this incident, the Government of Manipur forcefully imposed the amended Autonomous District Council to the Naga area in Manipur against the wishes and desire of the Nagas. Various Memorandums and representation submitted to the Manipur government to revoke its decision went unheeded and resultantly ANSAM imposed economic Blockade to Manipur. Besides, the Government of Manipur restricted our entry to Oinam Village in Senapati district of Manipur to hold our Federal Assembly.
NSF staged protest rally and asked the Manipur Government to withdraw the Manipur Commandos in all the Naga Inhabited areas which went unheeded. Since resorting to peaceful demonstration have fallen on deaf ears and our entry to Naga Inhabited areas being blocked by the Government of Manipur NSF also organized counter-bandh on vehicles bearing Manipur registration to Naga inhabited areas. On organizing this counter bandh, Manipur Government with its resources, infrastructure and manpower went on a malicious campaign against us and the Nagas.”
Thus to set the record straight, he said, a goodwill team visited all the North Eastern states of India to tell our rightful position. Besides, it became imperative to tell the Indian leadership and also the national print and electronic media with the correct perspective and a team of NSF Delhi.
“The Prime Minister, Home Minister, and others gave audience to us where we were able to narrate our rightful position. On getting the assurance from the Prime Minister, that the Indo Naga problem would be resolved at the earliest and at his behest, we lifted the counter bandh. Further, during our visit, we held interviews with the leading print and electronic media in the National Capital,” he said.
He also stated that in an attempt to forge better understanding and goodwill among the Naga students in all the Naga inhabited areas, NSF participated in the Eastern Naga Students Association Conference held in Myanmar in 2010. In the said Conference, NSF reiterated that Nagas are one in the past and will continue to live as one in the future.
“Artificial boundaries created by nation states will not deter our aspiration to live as a people. The same sentiment has been shared by them and we are grateful to them that they have also come all the way to participate in this conference,” he said.
He also expressed happiness over the successful observance of the 25th Anniversary of the NSF Martyrs Day on March 20 this year, adding that the function was organized with a view to reinforce and inculcate in the younger generation to be alive to the issues of our people.
Stating that rich tributes were paid to the martyrs by all the participants, he said “The sense and purpose of the event was captured by the audience and that it is not ritualistic in nature. Thus, realization dawn on everyone that the young students have laid their lives for the common good of our people.”
Earlier, FNR convener Rev. Dr. Wati Aier and Ganesh Kachari, executive member Bodoland Territorial Council delivered short speech. The inaugural function was chaired by NSF tribunal general Imchatoba Imchen while Achumbemo Kikon delivered welcome address.
The programme was followed by debating hour, federal assembly and classical & quartet ensemble.
Meanwhile, minister for road and bridges G. Kaito Aye will be the chief guest at the cultural regale on April 29 starting from 9:30 AM while Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharjee, chairman NESO will be the special guest. Election hour will take place at 2:30 PM while minister for health and family welfare Kuzholuzo Nienu will be the chief guest at the valedictory function at 5:30 PM.
source: The Morung Express
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