In Remembrance of Naga Independence Day, August 14, 1947

Let Us Unite: Nagaland for ChristAs we step into the 80th Independence Day, there are many issues that require retrospectionin the journey of our nationhood. Besides, the occupying forces committing inhumanatrocities against our people, many of our people were caught in the snares of theadversaries, and were often carried away by the elements of our enemies to fight against ourown people, all of which have brought us destruction, pulling us backward every time andleaving behind a social stigma in the trail.Prior to knowing Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we were indarkness, and nobody knew us.However, our past leaders of the Naga National Council (NNC) laid down the foundation ofour nation and proclaimed, "Nagaland for Christ," meaning, we will have no other God as ourGod except the Father - Jehovah, the Son - Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.Whatever was of the past, we cannot undo it. But the future is still in our hands. We have to goback to the roots, back to where the foundation of our nation was laid by the NNC.We all agree that we have around 30+ so-called national groups claiming to free us from theclutches of the occupying nations, but many exists for their own vested interests, sansnationalism.Whichever the groups may be, today, every one of them is celebrating what theNNC had established 79 years ago. Therefore, those who are truly for national sovereignty should go back to the roots and strengthen our politicalinstitution (NNC) and move forward together to our final destiny.As time goes by, many have denied the NNC and gone astray, but in fact, every Naga is stillpractising the NNC's principles, which bears witness to our unity. We are one people havingthe same destiny. The Bible says, unless we forgive our enemies, our Father in heaven willnot forgive us. As we continue to profess "Nagaland for Christ," why can'twe forgive each other and seek forgiveness from God, which is the only way to unity, bothwith men and God.To the Outside World:We may be a fledgling nation. Nonetheless, we are also a nation amongst nations and peopleamongst people. We never had enmity with our neighbours until they forcefullyaggressed and occupied our land. We continue to look forward to maintain good relationship with our neighbours.As the world knows us, we have so much to contribute to the world community, as ourpeople continue to serve with merit in different fields in different countries. We are secondto none in our ability to contribute to world peace and harmony.Till the world recognizes us and accepts us as a nation, which we declared and cabled to the United Nations 79 years ago, we will continue to strive. No threat or enticement can change ourblood into another race and make us become another nation.Conclusion:May the God of gods, who is our God, help us and guide us again to the path that our pastleaders had paved for us. May wecontinue to proclaim "Nagaland for Christ" and liveaccording to His teachings. With Christ on our side, we shall overcome any hurdle thatcomes our way.Kuknalim, UrraUvie.V K MereFormer Kilonser (1999-2005)Federal Government of Nagaland