Happy Birthday to veteran Naga leader S C Jamir :: A protagonist of nationalism, he could have easily become the Perfectionist

 Born October 17, 1931, Naga leader S C Jamir was appointed by Nehru his Parliamentary Secretary between May 5, 1962 to January 15, 1966. 

He has served as the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Governor of Maharashtra, Governor of Gujarat & Governor Odisha and Goa. 

He was awarded the third-highest Civilian Award in India, Padma Bhusan in 2020 for his work in public affairs. 

He also served as Deputy Railway Minister under Indira Gandhi. 

"Nehru believed in the power of man because he believed in the power of science. My understanding of him was that Nehru saw life as an 'opportunity' to test a person's will. The achievements of 2023 also owes it to Nehru and his pioneering efforts in shaping up the Indian science journey," said Jamir last month.

In his own words - "I am the most harassed Naga politician and also the most surviving". 

Jamir is still around and politically updated though he has virtually retired from electoral politics.

So much aura about his style and politics - even in 2023, there are Naga leaders

and his admirers who insist - only Jamir can take up matters with PM Narendra Modi 'sincerely, candidly and frankly'. 

Well, he could have easily become the Perfectionist.  

SC Jamir's son Apok was fondly called 'Junior Jamir' in 1998 when his father had returned to power with massive numbers as NPC and NDM had boycotted the assembly polls. Soon Apok entered Rajya Sabha too from what was given out as 'Youth Congress' quota. 

But he did not quite have a bright career despite having uncles practically in all parties and even at the national level. 

Later on he shifted to the assembly politics representing the family pocket-borrow Mokokchung town in 2008 and 2013.

in 2015, Apok seemed to have grown up like many of his uncles and deserted Congress to vote in favour of the T R Zeliang ministry and subsequently joined the NPF  But in 2018, he lost the Jamir clan's bastion to Metsubo Jamir.

Jamir with Kohima journalists 1998

Jamir's comments on Modi (2021)

"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".