Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Aug 24: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, today emphasized that India must remember the glorious heritage of the freedom struggle, and ensure that the legacy of the struggles and achievements of our freedom fighters is passed on to succeeding generations. Speaking after releasing a commemorative coin to mark the launching of the birth centenary celebrations of Rani Gaidinliu, the Prime Minister said it is our misfortune that people such as Rani Gaidinliu have either not been remembered adequately, or have been deliberately forgotten.
The Prime Minister recalled Rani Gaidinliu’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle. Referring to her as “Rani-Maa,” he said that she believed that her struggle for the Naga people against the British, was also a struggle for India’s unity and integrity. The Prime Minister also credited Rani Gaidinliu with spreading the message of Mahatma Gandhi in the North-East.
He regretted that she could not enter her village for many years after independence. He said India has not been made by kings or rulers, but by its people.
The Prime Minister said Rani-Maa’s thoughts on living in harmony with nature could provide an answer to the problem of climate change being faced by the world today.
The Prime Minister spoke of his Government’s initiatives for the development of the North-East. He reiterated that the progress of the north-east will provide a big boost to the development of the entire nation. He said the Land Boundary Agreement signed recently with Bangladesh would help improve connectivity of the region with the rest of the country. Referring to the recently signed Naga Peace Accord, the Prime Minister said it was due to the efforts of successive governments, that such an agreement could be reached.
Speaking at the function, the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh said that Rani Gaidinliu had won the love and affection of the people of North East. She belonged to the North East region but joined the freedom struggle at the national level. Rani joined for the cause of freedom with Mahatama Gandhi and fought against the Britishers for the freedom of the country. S
Government is considering to include a chapter in the educational curriculum on her contribution to India’s freedom struggle, said the Home Minister.
Rajnath Singh further said that the Prime Minister and the Government of India is committed for peace, stability and development of North East.
Arun Jaitley,union Finance Minister,described Rani Gaidinliu’s life as a fascinating story being retold to to people of India.She was a freedom fighter and at the same time, a spritual and social leader. He said, justice has not been done to Gaidinliu and several other heroes of freedom struggle. Today’s function will also help India to understand Northeast better, he added.
Jaitley also referred to recent Naga accord and the earlier Indo-Bagla land deal as important achievements under PM Modi and said these will certainly help improve the lot of people living in Northeast
Dr Jitendra Singh, Union DoNER Minister, while speaking on the occasion, said that Rani Gaidinliu is a symbol of the legacy of Northeast, the heritage of Northeast and above all, the commitment of Naga people and Northeast people to the nationalistic ethos of India. He announced that, as a humble tribute to the Gaidinliu, the DoNER Ministry has allocated a fund of Rs.983.08 lakh for bringing up a library-cum-Museum memorial at Kohima which would be dedicated to her.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the DoNER Ministry has initiated a number of innovative measures in the last few months. Of these, he made a special mention of the recently introduced “DoNER At Door-step” experiment which, he said, is unique of its kind in the history of independent India and wherein a “Camp Secretariat” of DoNER Ministry is held by rotation in each of the eight States of Northeast. This, he said, has sent out a significant message that the people of Northeast need not travel to Delhi for the redressal of their grievances but, on the contrary, Delhi and DoNER can also travel to their door-step.
Dr Mahesh Sharma made introductory remarks and referred to several commemorative functions observed by Ministry of Culture for different national heroes in recent months.
Governor Nagaland and Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Manipur also spoke on the occasion.
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