Nagaland, other NE states should also contribute in nation building, says veteran S C Jamir
(interview run by IANS) that went viral ...
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's keenness to take 'decision' is always an advantage and the final solution to the Naga political issue could change entire northeast and also make the centre's Act East policy a major success, veteran Naga leader S C Jamir has said.
"I always foresee the northeast region of India emerging as an economic hub. Therefore, the people of the northeast region should be prepared to face the challenges. With peace and implementation of the Act East policy we will see a lot of economic activities in that part of the country," Jamir said in an interview.
Morung Express
"Naga people have great potential to develop and contribute towards building this great nation. Especially, our younger generation is very intelligent, and their views are very broad. They don't confine themselves to tribes, they don't confine themselves to their own people. But they have a broader vision quite different from the older generation," said the 90-year-old senior politician.
"The Prime Minister fully understands the situation (related to Naga peace talks). He is fully aware of the various factors that are delaying the process. He also knows the positive aspects of the entire process...," Jamir said.
He met PM Modi on Saturday, Nov 6 and both the leaders also discussed Naga political issue. "The Government of India has rightly decided to focus on this part of India. So, we are looking forward that the younger generation of the people of northeast should be assets for nation building activities. We have been depending on the centre. But all the time we cannot depend on the centre," he said.
"Therefore, I say Nagaland and other northeastern states should also be contributing towards building this great nation," said Jamir, who was honoured with the third highest Padma Bhushan award in 2020.
In order to accelerate the Naga peace process, the government of India should have the will to end the insurgency problems once for all, Jamir said adding, it was good that they have already agreed to enter into agreements (framework) with Naga groups in 2015 and 2017.
"So, I was very happy to read when the Prime Minister said on Aug 3, 2015 that he welcomed the decision of the underground to join the mainstream of Indian polity. I think this was a good sign and that is why the government of India and PM have called it historic," the former Nagaland Chief Minister and ex-Governor in Gujarat and Maharashtra said.
"I have been telling the Prime Minister about the realities of the situation and I think it will be better that things should be expedited. After all, for how long we can go on negotiating," Jamir said.
Talking about the Prime Minister's style of functioning and taking key decisions, Jamir said: "The Prime Minister has the guts, that is an advantage. The Naga issue has its complexities. I have seen many Prime Ministers, but one good quality with him is, he takes decisions and it is very important".
Jamir in Ahmedabad: Gandh Ashram
To a question on his personal rapport with Mr Modi, the senior Naga politician said:
"We had a very good relationship though I was there only for five months. We were good friends. When I became Governor of Gujarat in 2009, I told him, I am an ex-Chief Minister so I know the responsibility of a Chief Minister.
So as Governor I will never interfere. My role would come only when you trespass on the constitution. I myself never liked Governor to interfere, so I never interfered".
Jamir was one of the few Governors appointed by UPA but was allowed to continue in office at Bhubaneswar Raj Bhavan by the Prime Minister Modi's government after 2014.
"The Naga people have been waiting, and waiting for too long," he emphasised expressing his concern on the prolonged parleys between the centre and the Naga militant groups that began in 1997.
"I think there is a limit to everything. When enthusiasm is there, I think it is better that a decision is taken. Because when the curry is prepared, you can really enjoy and relish it when it is hot. But when it becomes cold and stale, there will be hardly anybody willing to willingly enjoy the curry. So, I think before it becomes cold, the curry should be shared by those people who are entitled to share the curry cooked by the Prime Minister," Jamir said.
NNPG leader Kitovi, a pro-solution rebel leader
ends
(story used in 'Nagaland Page')
New Delhi
Close on the heels of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, veteran Naga leader Dr S C Jamir has said that "time has come to make the Naga political problem reach full stop, not comma, not semicolon".
"I have been telling the Prime Minister about the realities of the situation and I think
it will be better that things should be expedited. After all, for how long we can go on negotiating," the former Chief Minister and ex-Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat told this journalist in an interview.
Jamir maintained the Prime Minister is "well aware of things". "The Prime Minister fully understands the situation. He is fully aware of the various factors that are delaying the process. He also knows the positive aspects of the entire process...," Dr Jamir said answering questions.
He said that the Naga underground leaders have come up a long way and 'worked hard' to create a great appetite for solution to the pending Naga issue and peace.
"They must own up the credit now. Why hesitate? Why shy to take the deserving credit for what you all have done and achieved. The atmosphere of peace has come the hard way and you must take the credit," he said.
The former Chief Minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his stay in the national capital on Nov 6 and both the leaders among other things discussed Naga political issue and how "an early solution should be worked out".
In fact, after their meeting on Saturday, the Prime Minister had tweeted - "It was wonderful to meet Shri SC Jamir, the former CM of Nagaland and respected statesman. We exchanged views on several issues. I also have fond memories of working with him when he briefly served as the Governor of Gujarat back in 2009".
Answering questions, Mr Jamir said unlike the past there is a visible change in Naga society also.
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| Morung Express, Nagaland |
"The Naga people have great potential to develop and contribute towards building this great nation. Especially, our younger generation is very intelligent, and their views are very broad. They don't confine to tribes, they don't confine themselves to their own people. But they have a broader vision quite different from the older generation," the 90-year-old senior politician said.
"I hope the Government of India should appreciate the enthusiasm created by the signing of the two accords (Framework agreement of 2015 and Agreed Position of 2017) and arrive at an early solution.
The Naga people have been waiting, and waiting for too long," he emphasised expressing his concern on the prolonged parleys between the centre and the militant groups that began in 1997.
"I think there is a limit to everything. When enthusiasm is there, I think it is better that a decision is taken. Because when the curry is prepared, you can really enjoy and relish it when it is hot. But when it becomes cold and stale, there will be hardly anybody willing to willingly enjoy the curry. So, I think before it becomes cold, the curry should be shared by those people who are entitled to share the curry cooked by the Prime Minister," he said.
Talking about the Prime Minister's style of functioning and taking key decisions, Jamir said: "The Prime Minister has the guts, that is an advantage. The Naga issue has its complexities. I have seen many Prime Ministers, but one good quality with him is, he takes decisions and it is very important".
To a question on his personal rapport with Mr Modi, the senior Naga politician said: "We had very good relationship though I was there only for five months. We were good friends. When I became Governor, I told him, I am ex-Chief Minister so I know the responsibility of a Chief Minister. So as Governor I will never interfere. My role would come only when you trespass on the constitution. I myself never liked Governor to interfere, so I never interfered".
ends
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| Fighter Jamir: 1990s Cowboy image |
Naga militant leaders must not 'hesitate' to take deserving credit: Jamir
New Delhi
The Naga underground leaders have come up a long way and 'worked hard' to create a great appetite for solution to the pending Naga issue and peace; and they must "own up" the credit now, veteran Naga politician S C Jamir has said here.
"Why hesitate? Why shy to take the deserving credit for what you all have done and achieved. The atmosphere of peace has come hardway and you must take the credit," Mr Jamir told this journalist in an interview here.
The former Nagaland Chief Minister and ex-Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Jamir met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his stay in the national capital and both the leaders among other things discussed Naga political issue and how "an early solution should be worked out".
Answering questions, Mr Jamir said unlike the past there is a visible change in Naga society also.
"Naga people have great potential to develop and contribute towards building this great nation. Especially, our younger generation is very intelligent, and their views are very broad. They don't confine to tribes, they don't confine themselves to their own people. But they have a broader vision quite different from the older generation," the 90-year-old senior politician said.
"I hope the Government of India should appreciate the enthusiasm created by the signing of the two accords (Framework agreement of 2015 and Agreed Position of 2017) and arrive at an early solution. The Naga people have been waiting, and waiting for too long," he emphasised expressing his concern on the prolonged parleys between the centre and the militant groups that began in 1997.
"I think there is a limit to everything. When enthusiasm is there, I think it is better that a decision is taken. Because when the curry is prepared, you can really enjoy and relish it when it is hot. But when it becomes cold and stale, there will be hardly anybody willing to willingly enjoy the curry. So, I think before it becomes cold, the curry should be shared by those people who are entitled to share the curry cooked by the Prime Minister," he said.
To a question on his meeting with the Prime Minister Modi on Saturday, Nov 6, Mr Jamir said: "I have been telling him about the realities of the situation and I think, it will be better that things should be expedited. After all, for how long we can go on negotiating".
"Time has come to make it (Naga political problem) full stop, not comma, not semicolon," he said.
The Naga peace talks are now at a final stage and final announcements on an agreement may be made soon.
(Organiser)
ends
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