Vision statement of The Naga Rising

Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18)

Background:

  • The —meeting of minds— and the —strong conviction—to work collectively —for a better future—inspired— the formation of The Naga Rising
  • The Naga Rising is an initiative that has been necessitated by the resounding call of our people for change and their aspiration to bring healing, restoration and rebuild our land.

And therefore:

  • The Naga Risingis an ideological body that will work to fulfill its broad vision as spelled out in its motto, that is, Guard, Guide and Govern.
  • The Naga Rising will be a catalyst to facilitate an entire spectrum of activities in the political, socio-cultural, and economic life of the Nagas.
  • The Naga Rising seeksto examine and engage meaningfully within ourselves as a peoplewhile at the same time—celebrating our God given identity; the rich culture and tradition of our people; taking pride in our historical, indigenous and political rights.
  • The Naga Rising will work to create an enabling ecosystem in order to harness the full power and potential of our young men and women who will become national assets and our source of strength.

Belief and Purpose: 

  • The Naga Rising believes in the prophetic vision of crossing over from a state-of-paralysis that has divided and disabled the Nagas for far too long and to move on to the place of promise.
  • And for this to happen, it is vital for our future that we start the work of reconstruction, to chart out a new course, take some radical steps to rebuild.
  • The Naga Rising is rooted in the ideals of nationhood (homeland), identity, self-rule (village republic), democracy and equal opportunity for all citizens, and the HEART OF ITS VISION is to GUARD, GUIDE AND GOVERN.
    The 1929 Naga memorandum to the Simon Commission is the guiding light for The Naga Rising and it seeks to engage democratically with the Indian constitution and the Government of India on the basis of this historic document.
  • The Naga Risingis of the belief that the current politics is not designed to solve problems. It will therefore seek to reform politics and evolve a model of governance and leadership that provides vitality and impetus to our system in order to help deliver a transparent, accountable and responsive government for the people.
  • The politics of The Naga Rising is based on the philosophy that political power is derived from the people and change will also come from the The power to govern is therefore first and foremost a trust that cannot be broken or abused for vested interest.
  • Similarly reverence for duty and obedience to the rule of law must guide the people.

Problem solving approach through a broad-based, inclusive framework:

  • The Naga Risingwill lead to introspect on our failures, rise to the challenge to work towards problem-solving and help find a way forward to a better world.
  • The Naga Rising seeksto approach our problems in its totality as we believe that the modern-day challenges confronting the Naga people can only be solved through abroad-based, inclusive framework.
  • Towards this end, The Naga Rising resolves to tap into the collective wisdom of our people to guide us in our endeavor that has been set forth in this vision document.Public discourses and discussions, due consultation and interaction with all section, right down to the grassroots, will be done.
  • The Naga Rising will empower our people to contribute towards the vision and goals of the party as we seek to rediscover the genius of the Naga people whose wisdom, knowledge and experiences will be the building blocks for present and future processes.

To Guard, Guide and Govern:

  • The Naga Rising affirms the sovereignty of God over our people, land and resources.
  • The Naga Rising is aware of contemporary realities and other challenges facing the Naga people that can pose a threat to our security, identity and wellbeing.

This includes among many others the following:

  • The large scale unabated illegal immigration.
  • The dangers posed by all extremist and radical ideologies.
  • The indiscriminate attempt to undermine the Indo-Naga peace process and undercut the ‘historical and political rights’ of the Naga people.
  • The attempt to slowly do away with special provisions guaranteed under Article 371 (A) as was the case with Nagaland being brought under the Home Ministry from the status it enjoyed under the Ministry of External Affairs.
  • The continued imposition of draconian laws such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and the Disturbed Areas Actviolate our basic human rights.These are tools to take away our democratic rights and to discriminate us as a people.
  • The devastating ill-effects of corruption and money power within Naga society which has damaged our institutions (Church-State-Community) thereby posing a grave threat to the overall progress, health and vitality of the people.
  • The tried, tested and very successful and effective weapons used against the Nagas by adversaries—our love for money and division among us.
  • The Naga Risingwill rise up to guard, guide and govern…to defend what belongs to us—our land, culture, history and rights while at the same time to work for a better world of all irrespective of faith, politics or nationality; to restore-rebuild what has been broken and strive to reach our God given potential.
  • The Naga Rising commits to be stewards for our people.

A way forward:

  • The Naga Rising is an initiative for real and definite changeand to provide a fresh ideological narrative to the people.
  • The Naga Rising takes upon the responsibility to define and construct a socio-economic-political blueprint for the people based on their concerns, needs and aspirations;
  • The blueprint will be based on the challenges that have emerged out of our experiences with the Naga political movement, Nagaland statehood, ceasefires, peace processes and other intricacy related to our tribal ethos, social mores, geography and contemporary realities-politics.
  • The blueprint will include the roadmap of economic independence.
  • The Naga Rising will explore ways to bring our people together, divided as we are by geography, tribal mores (ism), economic disparity and all other conflicts that remain detrimental to peaceful co-existence and economic progress among the Nagas.
  • The Naga Rising is aware and remains sensitive to the manifold challenge that confronts us at these times.

We have emerged out of a difficult and divisive past. How do we move forward from here? We will listen and understand together the complex issues of our time…how we are going to solve problems—the evils of corruption and abuse of power; social and economic injustice; the rise of forces detrimental to our rights, identity, faith and way of life.

The above vision statement of The Naga Rising is derived from the people.

Vision Statement