Mokokchung, 15 April (MTNews): The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has announced the legal adoption of the Naga National Anthem titled ‘God Bless Nagaland’, composed by the late Mr R Kevichusa, IAS. This decision was made during the meetings held between FNR and the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) on March 6 and April 13, 2024. The song was inspired by Deuteronomy 11:11-12
According to a press release issued by the FNR, the resolution mandates that the Naga National Anthem be sung on important occasions by various entities including Naga Political Groups (NPGs), institutions of learning, Naga civil bodies, and all other organizations.
God bless Nagaland,
Land that I love.
A land of hills and valleys,
That drinks rain from heaven.
God will take care of you
Until the end.
His eyes will always be on you,
My fair Nagaland.
The press release further stated, “This shall become effective with the publication of the news item,” indicating that the adoption of the anthem will be formally recognized and implemented following its public announcement.
According to FNR, following the recent event of “Nurturing Naga Peoplehood: Liberating the Naga Spirit,” held from 16 to 18 February 2024 at Kutsapo, Nagaland, the Naga political groups (NPGs), civil society organizations, churches, prayer centers and citizens from across Naga areas have converged with a renewed spirit of imagining the Naga future.
This was further strengthened by subsequent meetings of the NPGs and the FNR at Kohima, on 2 March 2024, followed by Dimapur 6 March 2024 and the latest meeting in Dimapur, Saturday, 13 April 2024.
“These meetings were both critical reflections coupled with constructive appraisals of the Journey of Common Hope,” added the FNR.
Naga Plebiscite Day to be commemorated
Along with the legal adoption of Naga National Anthem, the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) and the FNR also agreed to commemorate 16 May as Naga Plebiscite Day with a special program in Dimapur. This was resolved in the meeting held on 13 April 2024.
This, according to FNR, was to commemorate the Naga common political history and “move forward without delay.”
It may be added that the FNR and the NPGs requested individuals, institutions and organizations across Naga areas to attend and show solidarity.
Furthermore, the meeting also took serious cognizance of FNR’s resolution that stated, “We (NPGs) have understood and affirmed the importance of working out the Naga political process through cooperation as agreed in the ‘September Joint Accordant’ September 14, 2022.”
Additionally, the meeting also reminded the NPGs to once again, honor the “Covenant of Reconciliation” signed on 13 June 2009 by the highest level leaderships in toto.
“Sporadic unpleasant happenings in the Naga context have been assessed in seriousness. The Kutsapo gathering has become a historical moment for our repentance and seeking forgiveness of sins of omission and commission. Without a doubt, it also has become the ground for renewal of faith and recommitment to God and to our fellow brothers and sisters,” stated the FNR.
“No matter how difficult it has been, today we confess our personal and collective pride and hate before God and our people and seek forgiveness from God and our people,” added the FNR.
The FNR underscored the significance of seeking forgiveness as steps toward reconciliation and progress. The FNR appealed to all inhabitants of the Naga-Land to render their solidarity across ethnic and religious affiliation.