Birth Centenary : Bright Face of Naga Society

Intro : Rani Maa and Jadonang are the light and legend for enlightening the future of Nagas. They are the bright face of Naga society who have enhanced and promoted the honour of Naga society at national and international level.

The freedom movement under the aegis of Heraka Organisation before and after Independence led initially by Haipou Jadonang and after his assassination by British, by Rani Gaidinliu.The British wanted to kill both of these great freedom fighters on one plea or the other. Today, also a strong resistance to her ideals is noticed in Nagaland, which is absolutely meaningless and uncalled for.
It was basically for the preservation, protection and promotion of eternal religion and age-old colourful culture. Since foreign forces were determined to uproot their eternal religion, both the Naga saints in plain dress–Haipou Jadonang–the master and Gaidinliu–the disciple and devotee, revolted against them and alerted their people against deep-rooted conspiracy hatched by foreign agencies working under direct control of USA & UK.

Both the legendary Naga leaders, Haipou Jadonang and his devotee Rani Gaidinliu, challenged the British and revolted against British Rule, which was a direct danger to Naga’s freedom in their hilly homes. It was a Bharatiya Freedom Movement following the doctrine of non-violence advocated in the Vedas and the Gita and advanced by great souls. It was also based on the philosophy of ‘Fide-non-Armis’ – advocated by Naga forefathers in their eternal religion and culture and practised in indigenous institutions in Naga villages through customary laws. The first political party of Nagaland – United Democratic Front (UDF) adopted this doctrine as their slogan and inscribed it in their logo.
The battle led by Rani Gaidinliu was the resonance and resemblance of Khonoma war against British waged by Angami warriors of Khonoma, Mezoma and Kohima. It is the precursor of Angami warriors of Kohima, Khonoma and nearby Angami villages and Chakhesang Nagas of Chesezu village who helped Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Indian National Army (INA) in the Second World War at Kohima in 1944 against British. This was also the revelation of sacrifices made by 48 Chakhesang Naga Youths of Thevopisumi village martyred in mid-sixties for the sake of their freedom, and socio-cultural identity, which were threatened by alien forces.
Haipou Jadonang was assassinated by British and Rani Gaidinliu was nearly attempted to be killed by heinous British by awarding her a Death Cell for whole life in various jails at Kohima, Imphal, Guwahati, Shillong and Tura. Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu are contemporary and counterfeit of martyrs of Chang revolt in Tuensang (NEFA during those days) against British.
Both these national heroes from Naga society are the light and legend for enlightening the future of Nagas. They are the bright face of Naga society who have enhanced and promoted the honour of Naga society at national and international level.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru met her in 1937 and addressed her as ‘Nagaon Ki Rani (Queen of Nagas)’ not because of anything else but because of her extra-ordinary bravery and long-lasting commitment for the nation. He wrote Lady Ester of British Parliament to approach British Crown to release her from jail. This is a great event because a person like Pandit Nehru would not meet any ordinary person that too in a jail and write to British Parliament for her release. This is a remarkable incident. Again, when Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was President of Indian National Congress, a resolution requesting British Government to release Rani Gaidinliu immediately was passed in Congress meeting held in Gujarat.
The British called her – ‘Terror of North-East’, Nehru called her – ‘Rani of Nagas’ and nation calls her — ‘True Daughter of Bharat Mata’. The nation has honoured her with Tamra Patra in 1972, Padma Bhushan in 1982, Vivekananda Sewa Puraskar in 1987, Birsa Munda Puraskar (posthumous) in 1996, Commemorative one-rupee Postal Stamp in 1996 and Commemorative Rani Gaidinliu Stree Shakti Puraskar in 2000.
National Committee for Rani Gaidinliu Birth Centenary Celebration with Shri PB Acharya (Governor of Nagaland) and Shri TR Zeliang (Chief Minister of Nagaland), as Chief Patrons, organised a series of over 30 programmes throughout the country to enlighten the nation about the contributions of Rani Gaidinliu in achieving freedom from British yolk and promoting the cultural identity of the country. The Union Government has also constituted a high level National Implementation Committee for Commemoration of the Birth Centenary of Padma Bhushan Rani Gaidinliu. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is Chairman of the Committee.
The recent inaugural programme at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on August 24, was a hallmark event and a milestone, which will add golden chapter in national history of Nagas. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi described Rani Maa as the “rarest of rare personality who was true devotee of her Guru – Haipou Jadonang and who lived up to the ideals and doctrines put forth by her Guru”.  This was an inaugural program. Now, a series of such programmes will follow at national level at least in capital cities of each state. This will proliferate and propagate the virtues of Nagas and bright image of Nagaland. This will overlap the anti-national and terrorist image of Nagas, which will earn honours outside of Nagaland to Naga society particularly young generation and student community.
The Naga society, too, has reciprocated in appreciable manner. Rani Gaidinliu Museum is being constructed in Kohima to house the paraphernalia of Rani Maa where a 12 feet bronze statue of her will be installed. In addition to this, there should be a seminar on the topic ‘Rani Gaidinliu and her contribution to Naga society and Nation’ culminating into a grand function in Kohima.
Jagdamba Mall (The writer is an expert on North-East Affairs)