நாகாலாந்து ராணி மா கைடின்லியூ - இந்து சமூகத்தின் தூண்

நாகாலாந்து ராணி மா கைடின்லியூ இந்து சமூகத்தின் தூணாக விளங்கியவர். கிறிஸ்துவ மிஷனரிகளால் நாகாலாந்து சமூகம் மதம் மாற்றப்பட்டு, அவர்கள் காட்டுமிராண்டிகள் என்று கிறிஸ்துவ மிஷனரிகள் பிரச்சாரம் செய்ததை தாண்டி, நேர்மை, ஒழுக்கம், அன்பு இரக்கம் ஆகிய தர்ம குணங்களுக்கு பிறப்பிடமாய் வாழ்ந்து இந்தியாவின் மூலை முடிக்கெல்லாம் சென்று நாகாலாந்து மக்களின் வாழ்வை சிறப்பித்தவர்.

அவருக்கு நாகாலாந்து போஸ்டில் வந்த அஞ்சலி

Rani Ma Gaidinliu - The legend-

The projected image of Naga society was that cent-percent Nagas had been converted to Christianity by American and British missionaries, they were made to fight against Bharatiya government and they are anti-Hindu and anti-Hindi. My uncle late Ram Pyare Mall and my brother in law (Jijaji) Ram Chandra Singh and my elder sister have been doing business in Kohima from 1965 along with hundreds of people from my area.

I had been hearing similar opinion from them about Naga folk. I had been bearing several more myths which I find uneasy to put in media. With this Naga image in my mind I landed in Kohima immediately after declaration of national emergency by Indira Gandhi in June 1975. From day one, I started looking for such 'wild' Nagas as described by them. I read several books on Nagas written by J.P Mill, Hutton and Christian missionaries where Nagas were described as wild, savage, heathen and Satan worshippers.

In Kohima, my eyes were looking for such 'savage' Nagas but I have not found any such person so far. Instead, I found honest, hospitable, self-contended and hard working Nagas, of course, with immense anti-Indian and anti-Hindu hatred with very few exceptions.

It was during those days I saw a lady in full customary attire with two girls on left and right side holding her arms with police patrol with VVIsP honor on the occasions of republic Day and independence day celebrations in Kohima local ground. I got myself drawn towards her. I developed curiosity to know more about her. In the process, I met Ramkui Newmei, Abuan Kamei-her private secretaries and through them, I established intimacy with Rani Ma and Pou N.C Zeliang

In 1978, freedom of religion bill was to be presented by Om Prakash Tyagi MP for debate in parliament. The church was dead against this bill. A national protest day was observed by Churches on May 3' 1978 in Nagaland, a very volatile and hostile situation was created and even Hindus were compelled to join the protest march. I was also one of them unwillingly holding a placard-"Pass the bill and divide the country". But Rani Ma decided to write a letter to President and Prime Minister of Bharatvarsh in support of Tyagi's freedom of religion. And she did this; this has been annexed in Asoso Yunuo's book on Rani Maa. The national media highlighted this letter. During those days, the local weeklies like Nagaland times. (Editor-Kalu Datta), Ura Mail (Editor-Chalie Kevichusa), Kohima weakly and platform were published from Dimapur and Kohima. These weeklies criticized Rani Maa for supporting that anti-conversion bill. The Church was also criticizing her. The security was tightened. Haipou N.C Zeliang was worried for her safety and security. After fifteen days of publication of her letter to president and Prime Minister, the appreciation letters from different part of country started pouring in. During all those turbulent times, I found Rani Ma very calm and quiet. No worry, nothing of that sort, she successfully ventured to establish solidarity with the nation. She gave a message to the nation that all Nagas do not subscribe the secessionist demand of underground section, and that all Nagas were not Christian and not anti-Hindu

Again on second occasion, she was successful as emissary of Naga society in second world Hindu conference at Prayag (Allahabad) in January 1979, wherein five lakh Hindus Parishad (VHP). Rani Maa attended this conference. She was chief guest of women meet while Vijaya Raje Scindia, vice president of then Jana Sangh, Maha Devi Verma noted Hindi poetess, Anutai Baag-Veteran social worker and several other women were the dignitaries on the dals, RSS chief, VHP chief, Jana Sangh chief and world renowned Hindu leaders were sitting in VVIP gallery. Rani Maa told the five lakh strong Hindu assembly on the Sangam of river Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, "We Nagas uphold our Heraka (Hindu) faith and are for unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation. The situation in Nagaland was very hostile and people were living in fear. Hindu society should come forward to redress the woes of Naga society". After this, she traveled length and breadth of the country and addressed scores of meetings wherein she presented glorious history of Nagas. She also informed the nation about Angami braves of Khonoma and Haipou Jadonang who fought against British invasion for the freedom of Bharatvarsh. This inspired Hindu society to know more about Nagas and developed respect for Naga leaders like J. B. Jasokie, Vizol, Suisa, T. Sakhrie, Dr. Imkongliba, Dr. Hokishe Sema, Dr. S.C Jamir and others who stood for the sovereignty of the country. She bridged the gulf between Nagas and non-Nagas Hindus. She cleared many distorted picture of Naga society projected by hostiles with a view to wean away Nagas from Hindu society. There lies her greatness.

Jagdamba Mall, Kohima.