Nagaland Sunday got back the last British flag unfurled at Deputy Commissioner’s office Kohima, during British rule.
The over 70-year old flag was brought from England by UK resident Lily Das, who was born and brought up in Nagaland.
She handed over the Union Jack to tourism commissioner and secretary Himato Zhimomi during a function held at Hotel Vivor. The flag is now to be kept at WW II museum, Kisama.
During the handing over ceremony, Lily Das said the flag was given to them during their visit at Kohima along with Dr. Alan McFarlane (from Cambridge University) eleven years ago by late Mhonsao Kikon’s family. She said they kept the flag at Cambridge University.
According to Lily, chief minister Neiphiu Rio asked her to bring back the flag to Nagaland as it had strong association with Naga history.
She also said that during the book release of “Road of bones” written by Fergal Keene at Imperial war museum UK, the same flag was unfurled and the gathering there eager to know its history.
Neiphiu Rio while addressing the handing over ceremony stressed on the historical significance of the flag. He expressed gratitude to late Mhonsao Kikon and family for preserving the historic flag.
Rio also expressed gratitude to Lily Das for bringing back the flag from UK and said she has become the ambassador for Nagas in that country.
Commissioner and secretary Himato Zhimomi also lauded the chief minister for the initiative in bringing back the flag to Nagaland to be preserved in the state. Host of ministers including Dr. Shürhozelie, T.R. Zeliang, Imkong Imchen, Kuzholuzo Nienu, late Mhonsao Kikon’s wife Nchuponi Kikon (82), children and grand children and others attended the function.
A turban (pagadi) which belonged to late Wopansao Kithan who served as a cook for three deputy commissioners including Dr. J.H. Hutton, J.P. Mills and C.R. Pawsey in Kohima under the British government was also handed over to Himato Zhimomi to be preserved at the museum.
It may be mentioned that late Mhonsao Kikon who served as the typist at the DC’s office under British government and also under the government of India found the discarded flag several years later and preserved it while in the office.
When India attained independence on August 15, 1947, this flag was taken down and replaced by the tricolor.
It may be mentioned that between 1885 and 1947, flag of the Governor-General of India was the Union flag with the insignia of the Order of the Star of India surmounted by the Tudor Crown.
The official state flag for use on land was the Union flag of the UK and it was this flag that was lowered on Independence Day in 1947.
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