Unity in Perspective: Gathering Youth to restore Togetherness

Keynote Speech on Unity in Perspective: Gathering Youths to restore Togetherness delivered at the NSUD, 60thNagas Meet,14th Nov, 2024, New Delhi

Prof. Rosemary Dzuvichu

Distinguished members of the Naga Students Union of Delhi, Esteemed Chief Guest, the Honourable Minister and our Special Guest, my beloved Naga sisters and brothers,Ladies and Gentlemen,

At this critical period of our Naga history, when we are besieged with disunity, tribalism, differences amongst ourselves,most of which has been created by narrow vested interests against Nagas as a people and a Nation, it is heartwarming to be invited by the NSUD to speak on the important theme of Unity and gathering youths to restore Togetherness. Thank you for the invitation to be here with you all today as you celebrate the 60^th Nagas Meet here at the Capital.

We come from a culture where our Naga youth, the warriors are celebrated for their bravery,courage and skill,where our young women carry the legacy of our traditions and knowledge of our ancestors and our folk traditions bring out the Naga principles of integrity, honour and unity that mandates the tribe, village and clan. The culture of respect for elders has often overshadowed the importance of our youth in restoring our unity from our brokenness created by the disunity and petty differences of the older generation.

We also come from a culture of war, but with a history of deep peace making,friendship   and brotherhood treaties that have lasted generations. We must continue to tell our stories to the younger generation,in the hope that tales of our brave forefathers will inspire to help them build better communities of responsible leaders today.

The painful struggles of decades for the freedom from oppression continues till today. How many of us reach out to read our history and understand the complexities that has wrapped itself around our lives? It is time for our youth to articulate, to be heard, to stand up for their rights as a people, to be counted. Till we see peace and justice in our homeland,the divisions will grow and encompass us all.

Today as we stand on the threshold of a shared vision for the Naga future,it is imperative therefore, for our younger Nagas to promote values of respect for each other and work unitedly for the common good of the Nagas. Let us celebrate our diversity because it will enrich our collective experience and guide us with new perspectives.

The key to better understanding and overcoming differences is the opportunity to dialogue with one another. Our youth,with the knowledge, skill and exposure much wider than your elders have a greater capacity to usher in new relationships among our tribes and communities that often are bound by walls of suspicion and insecurity because of the decades of conflict and war upon our land and people.

 Youth leadership has come of age in our society and we must give space for the younger generation to lead through opportunities given by the wisdom of older leaders, if Nagas want unity and better coordination. Youth Leadership development through trainings and mentorship, encouraging youth to interact and forge better relations, celebrating each tribe’s rich cultural heritage through music,dances and the aesthetic arts and campaigns on common issues as Nagas will ensure respect and the unity of our people and its youth.

Looking at the diverse background of our Naga People,there is a great need for inclusivity and adequate representation to be a part of the Naga unity building process which will encourage the democratic spirit our forefathers were known for. Equality, gender sensitivity, respect of differences and equal opportunities will usher in a better choice of youth leadership to lead our communities and it must come from all of you, my younger generation of Naga youth.

Today, I stand here to issue a challenge, a confrontation—one that is long overdue. Too often, we gather, we speak, we pledge, and yet, when we return to our daily lives, we fall back into patterns that keep us complacent, divided, and disconnected from who we truly are. I am here to urge each of us, with all sincerity, to return to the heart of who we are. The moment has come to ask ourselves the hardest questions, the questions that cannot be ignored if we are to find our way forward as a people.

In a world that constantly pushes us to ask, “What can I achieve? What can I take? What can I become?”—I ask you to consider instead, “Who am I?” Not just as an individual, but as a Naga, as part of a people whose very existence has been synonymous with resilience, integrity, and faith. Who are we, if we are not true to ourselves, if we allow ourselves to be defined by those who do not understand our story, our spirit, our struggle.

What Are We Truly Searching For?

Let us be honest with ourselves. What are we truly looking for? Is it only autonomy or political rights? Is it acceptance by the outside world, or is it something deeper? Beneath all the labels and rhetoric, we are searching for Dignity. We are searching for a way to reclaim what was ours before anyone else tried to redefine it. But we cannot achieve this if we are not first committed to understanding who we are.

The reality is that we are fractured, and our focus has been splintered by the very forces that seek to weaken us. Some of us chase dreams far removed from the realities facing our people; others are distracted by petty divisions, or ambition for power, rather than serving a greater purpose. If we are to find our way back, if we are to protect what is sacred, we must first unite in asking ourselves: What do we truly want? Without clarity in our own hearts, our words and actions will lack the strength they need to create change.

Setting a Direction Guided by Integrity

If we are serious about this journey, we must each take a hard look at the direction we are heading. Are we driven by vanity, by short-term gains, by the lure of acceptance, or are we dedicated to living with integrity? What kind of life do I want to look back on when it ends? A life of compromises and wasted potential, or one that contributed something real to our collective struggle?

Every choice we make, every action we take, is a reflection of our character and our purpose. We cannot hide behind words any longer. This is the time to forge a path marked by courage and truth. Anything less is a betrayal of those who sacrificed for us to stand here today.

Finding Our Purpose: More Than Survival, It’s About Vision

Why are we here? Not just here in this hall, not just here in Delhi, but here in this life, in this moment in history. Are we merely here to survive? To adapt? To blend in? Or are we here to fight for something that transcends the material, the political, the fleeting?

The world often defines purpose in terms of personal success, as if our worth can be measured by what we own or achieve individually. But our purpose, as Nagas, goes beyond this—it is about collective survival, yes, but also about collective flourishing. Our purpose is to become a people who live with honour and whose values speak louder than any external validation. We must decide if we are here to simply adapt or if we are here to reclaim the soul of who we are.

Being Our True Selves for Each Other

This brings us to perhaps the most pressing question: Who do we want to be for each other? In the face of external threats, we cannot afford to be divided. Every decision we make impacts not only us but our brothers and sisters, our communities, and generations yet to come. Are we upholding each other, or are we undermining the very bonds that could be our greatest strength?

Each of us must ask: Am I contributing to unity, or am I silently allowing divisions to deepen? Because let me be clear—unity does not come easily, nor does it come passively. It is the result of intentional action, and if we are to become a people worthy of the freedom we seek, we must be willing to be selfless in our relationships and fearless in our commitment to one another.

Who Are We in the Eyes of God?

Finally, we must confront a question that is often neglected in political discourse but is, I believe, at the heart of our struggle: Who are we in the eyes of God? We are here not by accident, and the heritage we carry is not just a social or political inheritance—it is a spiritual one. It is a responsibility that transcends any one of us and binds us to a legacy that demands courage, humility, and faith.

To each of you, I ask: What do we owe to the Creator who placed us on this land and gave us this identity? Are we honouring that identity, or are we allowing it to be diluted, distorted, and diminished by forces that care nothing for our heritage? Our journey is not just about carving out a political space; it is about fulfilling a spiritual calling, about standing as guardians of a culture that was entrusted to us. Anything less is a denial of who we truly are.

 Back home in our Naga areas, for decades our people has borne the brunt of the draconian AFSPA and we are witnesses to the massacres,unwarranted killings, the horrors of rapes of our mothers and sisters, the latest being the Oting massacre and its aftermath that has left us with no justice. The restrictionimposed  by  the Free Movement Regime and its suspension has violated our rights to our Naga areas across artificial borders. The proposed Border Fencing is in direct violation of international human rights as Indigenous people.There is great expectation that our youth under the NSUD leadership will continue to raise voices, here in Delhi, against these crucial issues confronting our people  in the Naga homeland.

Returning to the Heart: Reclaiming Our Sacred Duty

To return to the heart, to the very core of our existence, is not an easy journey. It requires that we strip away all the noise, the distractions, the endless pressures that try to mold us into something we are not. But if we fail to undertake this journey—if we do not turn inward and realign ourselves with our truest values, our spiritual roots, and our collective purpose—we risk losing the very essence of who we are.

This moment requires that each of us make a commitment to live with a fierce loyalty to our  Nagaidentity. To look at ourselves honestly and ask, Am I truly acting in the best interests of my people? Or have I let my ego, my ambitions, and the fear of external judgment cloud my vision?

As Nagas, our sacred duty is not to seek comfort or personal gain but to honour the blood, the tears, and the prayers of our ancestors who held fast to their identity against all odds. This means acting with courage, speaking with truth, and living with humility—knowing that our time on this earth is brief, and that the legacy we leave behind must be one that generations to come can draw strength from.

Embracing a New Vision: A Naga Identity Defined by Purpose and Unity

We are at a crossroads, a point in history where our choices will define the future of the Naga people. We cannot afford any more hesitation or division. We must choose to rise, together, as one people—committed to a vision that transcends the politics of the day, that is grounded in a profound understanding of who we are and what we are meant to be.

Imagine a future where we, as Nagas, stand united not only by our shared past but by our shared purpose and aspirations. A future where we are known not only for our resilience but for our wisdom, our integrity, and our unbreakable spirit. Let this be our goal—not to mimic the achievements of others but to carve a path that is uniquely ours, one that honours our faith, our land, and our people.

Let us reclaim ourNaga  identity with pride, not just in words but in action. Let us live in such a way that when history looks back on this generation of Nagas, it will see a people who, despite the hardships, returned to the heart, to the essence of their being, and found strength in their unity and purpose.

To Our Future: A Call to Action

Today, I call upon each of you not just to reflect on these questions, but to live them, to let them guide you in every step you take forward. Who am I? What am I searching for? Who do I want to be for others, for my people, for God? Let these questions be the foundation of a new era for the Naga people—an era defined by courage, wisdom, and unwavering faith in the sanctity of who we are.

In closing, I leave you with this: As we leave this hall today, remember that every choice you make, every interaction, every word and every action, is a building block in the legacy we are creating. Choose wisely. Choose with love for your people. Choose with an unshakeable commitment to the Naga heart. This is our moment. Let us not waste it.

Thank you.

Kuknalim!

Rosemary Dzuvichu is Professor at Department of English, Nagaland University, and Co Convenor, GNF and Advisor, Naga Mothers Association.

(The views expressed are the writer’s own)

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