64th Zomi Nam Ni Celebration, Shillong
Asom Kristi Kendra Auditorium, Dhankheti, Shillong
20th February, 2011
Our Chief Guest, respected Patricia Mukhim, The Shillong Times Editor,
Guest of Honour Pu L. T. Kuki, Vice President, Kuki Inpi, Meghalaya
Chief Host Pu Mangchinkhup, Secy. Edn. & Sports, Exe. Member, ADCC
Special invities and my dear Zo people.
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this 64th edition of the Zomi Nam Ni which is commonly known as the Zomi National Day. My maiden address to you all is of special significance to me as it is the first time in the state of Meghalaya where all the Zomi tribes are coming together.
At the very outset, my utmost appreciation to all my colleagues who wholeheartedly work to make this program a success, namely:
Pu LC Ngaihte – Coordinator – Vice President SSPP
Pu John T. Simte – Secretary
Pu Samuel – Jt. Secretary CSA Ex-Officio
Pu Rev. Biakmuan – Treasurer – Secy.Edn. SSPP
Pu Rev. Kamminthang – Execuive Member
Pu Suankhenmung – President SSPP (Hospitality Incharge)
Pu Aron T. Muanthang – Secy. ZYO (Recording Secy)
Pu LC Neihsial – President Zillai
Pu William Siankhup – Mess Incharge
Pu David Minboi – V/President ZSP and Usher Incharge
Pu Mangpu Samte – President ZSP
Pu Thanggin Simte – Secy. KZP
Pu Kapthang Gualnam – Secy. CSA (Over All).
And ZSP Shillong Branch for voluntering to Usher the function.
The Zomi National Day is observed as a day to commemorate the end of colonialism and imperialism and to mark the liberation of Zoland from the British rule, which is a historic and meaningful day for the Zomi because all the Zomi were able to achieve national solidarity and unity on this very day.
The 20th day of February is being observed as Zomi National Day since 1948 every year. It is also a national integration day for all the Zo Communities of India and Myanmar. As such, the Day had been celebrated by Zomi worldwide till today as a mark of “National Awakening Day.”It is, therefore, the fundamental duty of all the Zo people to safeguard its National Day, to preserve and maintain its culture, language, religion, and literature if we would like to keep our Zomi identity among the family of nations.
The British invaded South East Asia and from India as their base, Lower Burma was annexed in 1826 as a result of the Anglo-Burmese War, which was concluded with the Treaty of Yandaboo. Half of Burma was again annexed in 1852 and by 1885, the whole of Burma fall under the mighty hands of the Bristish imperialism.
Before the advent of the British, the Zoland, commonly known as the Chin Hills, Lushai Hills and Chittagong Hill Tract was occupied and ruled by the Zo people and had never been under the control or influence of any outside power, including the Burmese, Ahom, Chinese or Indians. They had their own sovereign self-government through their Chiefs, who administered in the form of democratic decentralization.
However, with the annexation of Burma and Chittagong, the Chin Hills and Lushai Hills was gradually penetrated and subjugated in 1890, with the formal annexation being completed in 1896. The Hills of Manipur had also been conquered and dominated after the British annexation of Manipur in 1891. The same fate befell with the other Zo peoples in Bangladesh, Tripura and Assam.
The Colonialists noticed that the Zo people were in loose confederates, many of them without any principal Chief to govern them. They had no written rule of law and written procedure of judicial code, but strong customary & traditional practices and justice system exist. The British therefore, drafted a model code of law and rules of appointment of Chief by 1907 and then installed feudal Chiefs at different places.
The autocratic rule of the British Government could neither be tolerated nor accepted by the Zo people and therefore, on the 20th day of February 1928, a new political organization was formed at Matungnung village of Mindat for the liberation of the Zomi from such undemocratic administration by foreign power. It grew, expanded, and moved forward and by 1939, the following nine points were demanded to be fulfilled by the British Government.
i. Zoland has to acquire equal share and administration as that of the Plains.
ii. The Zo natives must be consulted for any New Laws, Regulations, and Acts to be passed and enforced in Zoland.
iii. Education, health, economy, trade and commerce should be developed and expanded with an increased in their budget.
iv. Secondary and higher secondary education up to college level must be immediately upgraded and established.
v. Freedom of religion or religious secularism must be practically enforced and the Government must see to it.
vi. Transport and communication must be improved and the administration must give priority in road building connecting one village to another.
vii. The Government must chalk out ways and means for the peaceful communication between the Hills and the Plains without any hindrance.
viii. The Zo people must be uplifted economically, socially and politically at par with the other neighbouring people.
ix. The Zomi should also enjoy the same fate and self determination as and when Burma achieved its freedom.
The above Memorandum earned the wrath of the Government and instead of fulfilling them; the Organisation was also view as illegal and therefore, must be banned. Yet undaunted by the intimidation, the Zomi continued their resistance with one accord and the popular movement became so strong a tide that, the British were compelled to leave Kanpelet thereafter.
When Burma attained its own independence, it immediately drafted its own Constitution and accordingly, by 1949, the Burmese Parliament was divided into two Houses – the Upper House and the Lower House. As the general election draws nearer, the Zo people, in order to send their own representative, summoned the first General Assembly under the Zomi National Conference at Falam during February 19-22, 1948. In this Assembly of Conference the following issues were broadly discussed:
i. The high handedness and step-motherly treatment being meted out to the Zomi.
ii. Compulsory taxes and revenues levied upon them.
iii. Forced labour without any payment of wages.
iv. Illegally withholding of the wages of many bread-earners.
v. Oppressive governance and repressive nature of some political or military officers.
vi. Self-rule and democratic administration.
After a thorough deliberation of the above issues, a plebiscite was taken from all the members of congregation, each of whom was the representative of his own tribe from their respective region. As many as 4993 votes out of 5000 were cast in favour of the motion taken and hence, resolutions for further necessary action was adopted and passed. Since then, foreign domination and control, outside administration, repression in the form of forced labour and taxes, etc., etc., were annulled with the following additional ruling and declaration:
i. To celebrate the Zomi Nam Ni (Zomi National Day) for the peaceful association of the various Zo Communities.
ii. It must be a basis for the endorsement of democracy as the fulfillment of the general will.
iii. It is also aimed at building unity and cooperation with the other populace of independent Burma and India to improve justice and equality for the stabilization of the Zoland as well as to promote a helping hand among the Zo people.
Thus, the Zomi Nam Ni (Zomi National Day) is observed as a day to commemorate the end of colonialism and imperialism and to mark the liberation of Zoland from the alien rule, in other words, it signify the installation of sovereign self rule. For this, the 20th day of February is set aside and being observed as Zomi Nam Ni (Zomi National Day) since 1948 every year. It is also a national integration day for all the Zo Community of India and Myanmar. As such, the Day is celebrated with great elate every year in every parts of the globe where the Zomi settled since then. The Day was recognized as one of the National Holidays in Myanmar (Burma) and significantly coincided with the Mizoram Statehood Day.
As time pass by, the Zomi in Manipur celebrated the Day with a great zeal as an important Cultural events whereby all the tribes presented their own traditional dances, conducting various items such as Miss Zomi pageant, Musical Nites, etc., … Attempts were also being made to bring closer relationship with other communities in Manipur by organizing Cultural Exchange Programmes, Zomi Nam Ni Open Football Tournament, etc. Such meaningful annual event is found to have positive impact on the general psyche of the people. It also fostered mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence.
The 64th State Level Zomi Nam Ni (Zomi National Day) Celebration with the theme “Cultural Conformity” is being organised at BOAT, Palace Compound, Imphal, Shillong and New Delhi.
At present, the Zomis in India, specially in Manipur is democratically demanding for an Autonomous Tribal State within a State under the provision of Art. 244A of the Constitution of India’.
I am particularly pleased to welcome the Editor of Shillong Times and to note your distinguished career as a wonderful and successful.
I on behalf of the Zo people in Shillong would like to request our Chief Guest to be Our Voice in times of needs in our political struggle.
The last but not the least, my appreciation to all the participants, from the hosts, singers, cultural troupes, group dancers and all the audience, wiithout which our program will not be a success.
Welcome to all and Enjoy the 64th Zomi Nam Ni to the maximum limit.
Thank you all!
T. Zamlunmang Zou
Chairman
64th Zomi Nam Ni Celebration Committee
Shillong, Meghalaya
Welcome Address By
Dr. R. Sanga
Ngashi, Ningthoukaba Numit, February 20, 2012, Phairengi kunmapanni panba MAHA SHIVRATRI numit ashida 64th Zomi Nam Ni (Zomi National Day) taba ashi, eikhoi punnamak-ki laibak phabani. Ashigumba Zomi National Day Celebration ashida Athoiba Meethunglen oina lengshinbiriba Hon’ble Chief Minister, Pu Okram Ibobi Singh bu ahanbamaktada thamoi shengna taramna okchari.
Mathangda, Pu Gaikhangam, President Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee; Pu Phungzathang Tonsing, Hon’ble Minister of Power/Hort. & SC/Sc. & Tech., and Chief Host of this Program; Lengshinbiriba Guests of Honour-shing, Bartan phangduna lengbirakliba invitee-shing, Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Mayampumnamakbu, eikhoigi akhannaba thouram ashida adomgi tanglaba matam kaithokpiraga lengbirakpa ashi eikhoigi laibak phabani. Adomgi laman tonshinjare.
Adombu taramna okchabagi warol khara ashi thamjaraga makha tabadi ei English Language-da thamjage (Let me switch over my speech in English):
• Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur, Pu Okram Ibobi Singh, who is the Chief Guest of this function,
• Hon’ble Functional President, Pu Gaikhangam, President of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee,
• Hon’ble Minister of Power/Horticulture & Soil Conservation/Science & Technology, Pu Phungzathang Tonsing, Chief Host of this Program,
• Guests of Honour,
• Special Invitees,
• Distinguished Guests,
• Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is my greatest pleasure to welcome you to this Ceremony today at this beautiful Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT). The Zomi Nam Ni, known as the Zomi National Day is observed as a day to commemorate the end of colonialism and imperialism and to mark the liberation of Zoland from the British rule, which is a historic and meaningful day for the Zomi because all the Zomi were able to achieve national solidarity and unity on this very day.
For this, the 20th day of February is being observed as Zomi Nam Ni (Zomi National Day) since 1948 every year. It is also a national integration day for all the Zo Communities of India and Myanmar. As such, the Day had been celebrated by Zomi worldwide till today as a mark of “National Awakening Day.” It is, therefore, the fundamental duty of all Zomi to safeguard its National Day, to preserve and maintain its culture, language, religion, and literature if we would like to keep our Zomi identity among the family of nations. And therefore, this first dawning day of democracy was given the name Zomi Nam Ni (Zomi National Day) in aspiring to create the national day to be celebrated even in festivity, singing and dancing in the Zomi national traditions in special Zomi national costumes and attires in the celebration so that it will make the Zo people inspiring to practice and develop their culture and literature ever more in their national life to keep on the Zomi nationalism for ever more. Observing and celebrating the Zomi National Day in this way outside the Zo territory means to create friendliness with the host people outside the Zo territory and to preserve and develop Zo culture and literature among the Zo people in the Zomi society to be in harmonious with other cultures and literatures.
I am particularly pleased to welcome Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur and to note your distinguished career as a wonderful and good administrator and your impressive legacy of tri-partite signing of Memorandums of Understanding on Suspension of Operation with various insurgent groups, which is a major milestone in the revolutionary history of Manipur.
It is expected that, this year’s “Nam Ni” Celebrating the Zomi Culture and Heritage choosing “Cultural Conformity” as its theme for the Zomi National Day Celebration, 2012 will strengthened love, peace, communal harmony, mutual understanding, and peaceful co-existence amongst all the communities in Manipur State.
Thank you.
Dr. R. Sanga
Chairman
THE 64TH STATE LEVEL ZOMI NAM NI
(ZOMI NATIONAL DAY)
CELEBRATION COMMITTEE, 2012
Monday, 20th February 2012, 11:00
AT BOAT, PALACE COMPOUND, IMPHAL
Ph: +919436022454
E-mail: rsanga_05@yahoo.co.in
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