Governor releases Scato Swu’s book

Nagaland Governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar Wednesday released a book titled ‘Hails and Blames’ written by former president of Federal Government of Nagaland and former Member of Parliament at the Rhododendron Hall, Police Central Mess, Chumukedima, Dimapur.
After the release, Dr. Ashwani Kumar read out excerpts from the book which represented the trials and tribulations of the heady days of the Naga national movement.
While making a brief comment on the occasion, the Governor stressed on the diminishing importance of the concept of political sovereignty around the world giving the example of the European Union and an unified Germany which focused more on development and economic welfare of their regions. According to him, India too has been making attempts to focus on development as the key to securing justice for all.
To illustrate the point, Dr. Ashwani Kumar opined that for securing justice, social and economic development could precede political aspirations. He referred to the preamble to the Constitution of India which stated India has resolved to constitute itself into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens “justice, social, economic and political”. The governor’s comment followed his reading of Scato Swu’s take on developing Nagaland while pursuing political rights of the people.
Scato Swu, the octogenarian with a vast experience of being part of the Naga movement observed that the government of India should engage with the Nagas “wholeheartedly” and not adopt delaying tactics if both the sides aspired to seal a political deal.
Referring to the long drawn peace efforts since the day of signing the cease-fire agreement between the government of India and Federal Government of Nagaland, Scato Swu observed that except for the cease-fire, there has been no tangible achievement so far. He said that there was nothing like learning from the past mistakes.
He recalled that when the Nagas decided to enter into a cease-fire agreement, the leaders at least “agreed to disagree and forget and forgive.”
Recalling his past experiences, Scato Swu pointed out that the obstacles that have been holding back a permanent settlement to the Naga issue could be the “scanty” knowledge of the Naga worldview by Indian authorities and rigid stance of the government of India. This could be bridge only when both sides made an effort to know each other, he opined. He also said that as a contribution towards such an effort, he was sending his book ‘Hails and Blames’ to the president and the prime minister of India.
The octogenarian leader finally said India should give up the policy of “shoot at sight” and numerous atrocities committed under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. He also lamented that if the current pace of political unfolding continued as it was, there was “a faint possibility” of solving the Naga imbroglio in the near future.
Earlier, Dr. Lanusangla Tzüdir, the publisher of the book said the book has been written by a person who has lived the experience and the book took one to an age that mattered in the history of the Nagas.
Retire IAS officer Khekiye K. Sema who chaired the launch ceremony said the book has been written by the man who has “lived the revolution”. The work contained real life events recorded and this served as the contributing factor in the history of the Nagas, observed Khekiye.
He also lamented the fact that prime actors in the Naga national movement and leaders including A.Z. Phizo passed away without leaving behind the records of the Naga legacy. This book, Khekiye contended would serve as archival material for younger generation.
The book has been published by Heritage Publishing House, Dimapur and is priced at Rs.500. Those who would like to procure the same could contact: 9856136608.