It will not be wrong to say that the government of the day is so out of touch with the common people. On Wednesday, day 2 of the ABAM Sesquicentennial celebration of 150 years of Christianity in Naga Hills, the Chief Minister of Nagaland’s message was read out by an elected representative who is also an Advisor of a department in the present government of Nagaland. It was initially not planned but the chairperson of the proceedings of the program permitted the Advisor time to read out the Chief Minister’s message. A few days prior to the sesquicentennial celebration, we know that the Ao Senden and ABAM, as well as others, expressed regret that the President of India’s visit to Nagaland coincided with the event in Impur. So the Chief Minister’s message was a welcome gesture as it was perhaps meant to make amends for hurts caused, if any. Unfortunately, the message was presented with a major factual error. Perhaps it was drafted hurriedly. The message specifically mentioned “150th anniversary of the founding of ABAM” whereas ABAM was established in 1897, that is, 25 years after the arrival of Christianity to Naga Hills. The current sesquicentennial celebration is about 150 years of Christianity in Naga Hills (1872-2022) and not about 150 years of the founding of ABAM.
Meanwhile, in Kohima, the President of India noted that the literacy rate of women in Nagaland State is higher than the national average, and that Nagaland is the safest place for women in the country. She also said that this demonstrates the high respect given to women in the Naga society and urged women of Nagaland to come forward and get more involved in public life. It was a big booster for Naga women. Unfortunately, however, there was no Naga women organization invited to the President’s civic reception program. What is even more interesting, or unfortunate, was that, as per the order of the program, the three ‘blocs’ of Nagaland were given time to felicitate the President – CNTC, ENPO and TPO. Pan-Naga civil society organizations were excluded for reasons unknown to the public. However, it formalized the division of Nagaland into three blocs. The President also virtually inaugurated a number of projects, including some 39 new school buildings. It will be interesting to find out whether the newly inaugurated school buildings exist in reality or whether they were only virtual.