Neichülieü Nikki Haralu (Retd) IFS and the first Naga Ambassador, passed away on Friday in Dimapur. She was 98 years old. According to family sources, the funeral service would be held at 1 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 3) at her residence in Burma Camp.
The eldest of eight siblings Neichülieü was born on July 28, 1918 to the first Naga medical doctor Dr. Harielungbe Haralu of Poilwa village in Peren district and Rükhrieü of Kohima village.
As a diplomat she served in Belgium, Italy, USA, and Sri Lanka before her retirement as Ambassador of India to Panama in 1980. At her retirement, she had served for 26 years in the Ministry of External Affairs with additional charge of Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
A historical event that took place during her tenure includes the handing over of the famous Panama Canal that changed the economy of the United States, Europe, and Asia. After her retirement, she returned home and served as the Chairman of Nagaland State Social Welfare Advisory Board. Neichülieü began her early schooling in Mission school at Kohima and went on to the Welsh Mission Girls’ High School, Shillong.
She completed her BA (Pol. Sc. & Eco.) from Calcutta University in 1948. Later, she continued her education (MA Soc. Sc.) in the US at Haverford in 1953, the third Naga to venture out to study in the US.
She also pursued her studies at– Rockefeller Foundation Seminars on Diplomacy, School of Advanced International Studies, John Hopkins University, Washington DC in 1969.
While in the United States of America to study She participated in the Social Service for Migrant Workers with the Student – In –Industry, Oregon,University of Oregon. She raised her tuition fees, by working in the carrot and beans canning mill.
Similarly in Haverford College, Pennsylvania, She completed a seven week work and study field seminar on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, North Carolina.
To earn her return ticket to India, she worked as Assistant Supervisor, New Jersey, State Reformatory for Women, Clinton, New Jersey, USA.
Late Neichülieü, who had lived an extraordinary life, dreamt big and relentlessly pursued and lived out those dreams. A God fearing lady, late Neichülieü was always considered as a fearless and an exuberant and joyful person, as she her life was an absolute testament of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
CM condoles: Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang has expressed deep sadness over the demise of Ms. Neichülieü Haralu.
In his condolence message to her daughter and retired chief secretary, Banuo Z. Jamir (Retd) IAS, Zeliang said, though late Neichülieü was older to him, “she was a source of inspiration to me since childhood as we had heard so much of her achievements, despite the difficult times in which she lived”.
He said late Neichülieü, the first career Diplomat from the Zeliang community and amongst the Nagas as a whole, went on to be appointed as the Indian Ambassador to Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. She endeared herself to her people as a true ambassador of the Nagas, Zeliang said. Expressing pain, Zeliang said “we have lost a precious family member who was indeed ahead of her times. She was able to prove to the people that Naga women are as capable as anyone”.
Zeliang said he and his wife along with the people of Nagaland convey deepest condolences to all the family members, and prayed that the Almighty grant comfort and strength at this hour of immense grief and for the departed soul rest in eternal peace.