Good morning and warm greetings to all the distinguished guests and fellow Nagas gathered here to commemorate the 78th anniversary of Naga Independence Day. On behalf of the Naga Students’ Organization and the Eastern Nagas, I extend our deepest gratitude to the NSCN/GPRN for allowing us this opportunity to express our solidarity on this momentous day for the Naga people.
We begin by giving thanks to our Almighty God for guiding us through the trials of history and for preserving our people against all attempts to silence our rightful cause. Despite relentless efforts by aggressor nations, we have only grown stronger and more determined, a testament to our unwavering resolve to achieve our long-cherished dream. We honor the memory of our pioneers, past leaders, and the thousands of Nagas who sacrificed their lives for the freedom we pursue today. Their legacy is our strength, and we remain committed to the path they paved for us.
Naga sovereignty and freedom are our birthrights, rights that cannot be denied by any nation, whether it be India or Myanmar. It is an undeniable truth that India to our west and Myanmar to our east will remain our neighbors for as long as this world exists. Therefore, the only viable solution to the Indo-Naga-Myanmar political conflict lies in diplomatic engagement and peaceful dialogue. It is imperative that India and Myanmar recognize and respect the Naga people’s right to self-determination, rather than persisting in their aggression and oppression.
As the Bible says, there is a time for everything, and in God’s time, the Naga people will achieve their freedom. However, we must be prepared for that moment when it arrives. If we are unprepared and miss that opportunity, it would be a tragic setback for our struggle, extending it for generations to come.
It is also crucial for us to recognize that our greatest challenge comes from within—our divisions, internal conflicts, and the proliferation of factions. These are the forces that hold us back. We must put aside our differences, abandon any sense of superiority, and reconcile as one united political force. Only then will we be truly ready to break free from the political prison that has confined us for so long. It is time to reflect on why our journey has been so prolonged, to look inward, and to address the areas where we may have faltered in our genuine struggle.
As a leader of civil society body, I feel compelled to highlight the dire situation facing students and the general public in Eastern Nagaland, Myanmar. The increasing and widespread armed conflicts following the 2021 military coup have made it exceedingly difficult for us to access education, healthcare, and basic humanitarian needs. Additionally, the Government of India has imposed severe restrictions at the India – Myanmar illegally imposed border, further limiting access to these essential services in the Naga areas of the west. I earnestly call upon all concerned Nagas in the west to intervene in this inhumane treatment by the Government of India. This is not just a violation of human rights but also an affront to the Naga people’s right to self-determination. Your intervention would be a meaningful step toward realizing the true essence of Naga Independence Day.
Thank you all, and may God bless you all.
Kuknalim!
Naogang
President
Naga Students’ Organization