CM launches Leaders Arise Nagaland

Nagaland chief minister T.R.Zeliang said Nagas in general hate procedures and also tend to neglect duties and illustrated them with politicians carrying files to officers and demanding that their works be done immediately and of officers who neglect duties and keep files pending inordinately. He said this while launching ‘Leaders Arise Nagaland’ (LNA), a project launched by Apostle Rev.Luolliehu Yimsung at Hotel de Oriental Grand Kohima Wednesday.
 The chief minister said in a fast changing world, youths are not just leaders of tomorrow but also leaders of today. He explained this by saying that youths today are leaders in the global information and technology and shape trends even in politics through social media. On the need to change mindsets, Zeliang shared experience in South Korea, a country that had faced 30 wars which left the country totally devastated socially, economically and politically. He said through a collective will and action, South Koreans rebuilt their nation. He said the outcry against illegal immigrants, can only be tackled if local youths inculcate dignity of labour and take up menial works.
Lauding LAN’s objective, Zeliang focussed on- initiatives for change such as the success in protection of Amur Falcons through the Nagaland Wildlife & Biodiversity Conservation Trust. He expressed the hope the LAN , in this regard would impact the youth for progress and development.
Governor of Odisha and former chief minister of Nagaland, Dr.S.C.Jamir, said he would speak straight from the heart and highlighted on ‘Leaders Arise Nagaland’.
Speaking about Nagas in a dormant dilemma, Jamir lamented that Nagas today are afflicted by the truth famine because of fear psychosis plaguing the land.
He rued that Nagas are too obsessed only with politics and ignore other vital essentials of progress. As one of the members of the then Naga People’s Convention (NPC) that signed the 16-Point Agreement on July 26,1960 for creation of Nagaland as the 16th state of the Indian union; Jamir said the Naga movement was only one group then but today, there are more than seven factions fighting each other.
Jamir mentioned that some years back in Dimapur, Naga underground leaders admitted that sovereignty and integration were not possible and therefore asked, if Nagas have reached a dead end of their political movement?
He said Naga people are the main stakeholders of their future and therefore any agenda under negotiation must be made known to people and their consent obtained.
Jamir described Nagaland economy as in complete disarray due to failure of leaders and their people to effect good governance. He lamented on commercialism of politics where money was the main factor to win elections and thus robbed Nagas of leaders of integrity and good standing.
Jamir also reminded the church in Nagaland on the loss of values and how the church in Mizoram and Meghalaya responded to such situations.
He expressed the hope that LAN would pursue its objective to bring about qualitative change in the life of people by shedding hypocrisy and imbibing love for values of truth.
Nagaland chief secretary Toshi Aier lamented that there were too many associations, organisations and unions in Nagaland which, he at times felt, were as many as the population. He also recalled that in the early days, Nagas were respected outside but that has changed. As Naga society grew larger so also was fragmentation taking place simultaneously, he said. Aier said westernisation was not only about fashion or music but many other aspects of progress and civilisation. He called for deep introspection among Nagas on their weaknesses and strengths to correct the drift. Cabinet ministers, parliamentary secretaries, legislators and a host of leaders and representatives of political parties, NGOs and government officials attended the launching programme.
LAN is a mission initiated by Apostle Rev.Luoliehou Yimsung an Overseas Naga in Australia with the objective of building up a generation of leaders.
In his power presentation, Rev. Yimsung recalled how he felt led by God to do something for Nagas as in the life of Nehemiah and how he began the quest by roping in S.C.Jamir and Neiphiu Rio (then chief ministers) to present chief minister T.R. Zeliang.
Various speakers shared their points of view on the need to introspect on the present ills in society and to build up God fearing leaders for the future of Nagaland.
Representatives of Congress (S.I.Jamir), who spoke on the need to encourage good leaders; Independent(Er.Levi Rengma) spoke on the need to inculcate accountability and responsibility and for social responsibility; and NCP(N.Krose) spoke on corruption and addiction to easy money.
Earlier, Rev.Anjo Keikung general secretary NBCC gave a brief biblical exhortation and also led the invocation prayer. Asin Shurhozelie also sang a melodious rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’.
 At the post-lunch session leaders representing various organisations also spoke. Former speaker Z.Lohe representing NTC lamented that public gave more importance to the few rich and powerful-politicians, bureaucrats, undergrounds and businessmen- and not to the poor and neglected of society. He highlighted man-made calamity such as illegal taxation which has strangulated the economy of the state. Lohe said today society has more training but less trained; more organisations but less organised; more leaders but less guts; more funds but less distribution etc.He challenged Nagas that if a Hindu state like Gujarat could become developed why not a Christian state like Nagaland?
Naga Hoho President P.Chuba Ozukum maintained that Naga political problem needed to be solved at the earliest with the people’s cooperation otherwise the future would become bleak. He lamented on the decline of Naga traditional values as people became prey to easy and dishonest means as money was pumped into society.
ENPO representative David asserted that Naga society has failed to speak out to identify true or false leaders and said corruption has reached its zenith. He also said on receipt of letters under ‘Nagaland for Christ’ many innocent people have lost their lives. David also spoke about the suffering of people of ENPO areas and suggested the ‘unity’ should also include “equality and justice”.
Others who also shared their views included NCRC president Rev.Neikedozo Paphino, president Nagaland Civil Services Association (NCSA) and ACAUT legal advisor Kezhokhoto Savi.The official website of LAN was also launched on Wednesday.