“On the sixteenth of May, in the year ‘51,
A call echoed through the hills, a new dawn begun.
Under A.Z. Phizo’s steadfast, guiding hand,
The Naga National Council united our land.
With thumbprints as tokens, our voices rang clear,
A democratic chorus, a pledge sincere.
Ninety-nine point nine percent, our hearts did proclaim,
For independence we stood, igniting the flame.
A testament bold, to our ancient decree,
“Leave us alone,” we cried, “let us be free!”
From the shadows of history, our spirits arose,
A nation united, despite all our woes.
Yet, the path was not easy; the struggle was long,
As external forces unleashed their cruel throng.
Through unimaginable trials, we stood side by side,
With truth as our armor, in valour and pride.
Though persecution rained down, we could not be quelled,
For the love of our land in our hearts ever swelled.
We honor our pioneers, the brave souls who fell,
Their sacrifices etched in a timeless spell.
Though divisions may linger, and discord may reign,
The spirit of Naga will never be slain.
For every Naga has a tale that must be told,
A story of courage, of hearts made of gold.
In this moment of reflection, we gather anew,
To celebrate the Plebiscite, steadfast and true.
Seventy-five years of a mandate divine,
A call to unite, to reclaim what is mine.
With the Naga Plebiscite Commission at the helm,
We stand on the shores of our own sacred realm.
Supported by voices of the people, we rise,
Planning the future beneath open skies.
A year-long commemoration, a journey we share,
With activities planned, our heritage laid bare.
From the old to the young, let each heart ignite,
In the spirit of unity, let us shine bright.
To the youth, we entrust this legacy grand,
Nurture our story, take a strong stand.
With passion and purpose, let your voices resound,
For the baton of history is yours to be found.
Together we flourish, in strength we belong,
As we weave our tomorrow, a vibrant song.
So here’s to the Naga, our spirit unbowed,
In the face of adversity, we stand proud.
With faith in our future, and roots in the past,
Together we forge a legacy that will last.
On this solemn day, let our hearts intertwine,
In the name of our freedom, our voices align.”
Dr Suryaraju Mattimalla