Commemorative Speech on Thanksgiving celebration of fifty years of national service by Rh. Raising, Member Collective Leadership, NSCN/GPRN, Special Emissary.
“I am honoured and blessed by the presence of His Excellency, the Yaruiwo, Eno Q. Tuccu, Most honourable Ato Kilonser, Eno Th. Muivah and his lady wife Enoli Ikhris Muivah, honourable Deputy Ato Kilonser Lt Gen (Rtd) Vs Atem and his lady wife Enoli Pamyola Vashum and honourable Members of the Collective Leadership, Convener Steering Committee Eno Hutovi Chishi and Members of Steering Committee, Kilo Kilonser Eno K.P. Huray and Kilonsers, Longvibu Naga Army Lt. Gen. Honreishang Shadang and Senior army officers, respected Public leaders, leaders of Civil Societies, revered Pastors, village authorities, fellow members of Wungram, Mount view Colony, brothers and sisters present here on this thanks giving day of my 50 years national service.
“I give thanks to the gracious Lord who has brought me this far.
Indeed, I survived from many dangers of enemies dragnets, fatal diseases, hungers and roaring waves of strong rivers and bitter battle-fields by His grace.
I am convinced that every one of us is born with a mission. Every Naga is tagged with the name of the Lord, and that I am no exception.
“After my graduation my mom advised me to be content with the position of a teacher in the village, but since childhood I had always dreamt of serving for a higher cause.
“I was just an ordinary young man living an ordinary life in a rural area without a mission. But the day I had dedicated my life to the cause of Nagalim for Christ, the Lord had clothed me with the unflinching spirit and courage to confront enemies of all hues. I came to know that it is the Spirit that fights; it is it that speaks and writes. It was the same spirit that read the mysterious ‘hand writing on the wall.’
“The boisterous waves of the infamous Shillong Accord shook the minds of many national workers. In fact, it was the most distressing and confusing time for the Nagas wherein our people had to choose freedom or subjugation, honour or humiliation, Nagalim or India. Every sensible Naga understood that the Shillong Accord was a road block, not the solution. Under such circumstances, I joined the movement on December 30, 1975.
“The battle is between the free Nagas and the invaders, between the patriots and the traitors, between those who trust in the mighty name of the Lord and those who trust in the strength of pagan kings.
“In December 1976, about a hundred of us started our long march from the Headquarters of Wung Tangkhul Region to the General Headquarters, which was then located somewhere in the East and joined forces with our revolutionary comrades led by Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah. Today, only a few of us survive by his grace.
“We know revolutionary life is not a bed of roses. From day one enemies started stalking us everywhere and every time. However, in every military offensive of the enemies launched against us, we could outmanoeuvre and outfight them all through the Spirit of the Lord. Those horrible situations made me stay closer to the Lord, the master of storms. With God, we see no battle is too tough to fight and no problem is too big to solve. Indeed, I am inspired and guided by that Spirit.
“I was arrested and incarcerated in prison for about 8 years. I came to know that imprisonment is part of a revolutionary life. From every pit I fell into, I stood up stronger and wiser. It really sharpened my wisdom and strengthened my faith. It reminds me of the saying, ‘No cross, no crown.’
“I have no battle of my own to fight and no message of my own to deliver. The battle is the Lord’s. The Lord who I believe has been with the Nagas. I can assuredly say that no power or force can stop the Naga National Independence Movement in as much as the mighty name of the Lord is in it. We will continue to resist the aggressors through this faith force/truth force till the end.
“I was privileged to speak with the international dignitaries on the Naga issue on various occasions. In 2000, I was also honoured to speak in the United Nations’ Earth Charter meeting held at the Peace Palace, The Haque, Netherlands. I presented the case of the human rights situation in Nagalim even during the time of the peace process. The support of the world leaders on the Naga issue is overwhelming.
“I am blessed to serve the nation in various capacities during the period of fifty years’ national service. I have been a member of the talk team since 2000. Through the steadfast supports of our people from all quarters, friends of the Nagas and the indomitable spirit of self-sacrifice of the NSCN members on the one hand, and the deep commitments of the six Indian Prime Ministers on the other, we have finally arrived at the Framework Agreement with the Government of India. This historic agreement is earned with blood, tears and sweat of all of us.
“I am inducted into the highest echelon of the Collective Leadership with the assignment of Special Emissary. I shall always be faithful to the cause of the Naga nation. God willing, ‘I and my family shall continue to serve the Lord and his people.’
“Thank you all for coming to the thanks giving ceremony of my fifty years national service inspite of your prior engagements in this joyous Christmas season. I shall ever value your trust and support reposed in me.”
KUKNALIM.
