Morung Express News
Kohima | August 19
“The newspapers in Nagaland have played a vital part in keeping our society breathing,” remarked eminent Peace Activist, Niketu Iralu in his foreword to the book, “Pushing Boundaries” written by Aküm Longchari. Stating that “in the field of journalism, Nagas have set and maintained a standard sustained by a competitive striving for excellence that is obvious and encouraging,” he commented that “the difference the watchful eyes of the journalists and the supporting or condemning editorial comments have started to make for responsible exercise of power may be small, but it is undeniable.”
He went on to state that, “the feat deserves recognition and applause because the discipline, intellectual growth, commitment and professionalism called for are all new and demanding.” He also observed that “in the progress being made by our newspapers we are seeing the early stages of the all-important institution of the Fourth Estate, one of the guarantors of a people’s healthy growth.”
“Our fragile society is watching and experiencing the emergence of a free press. The peoples’ understanding is important and their responsibility to keep it free and fighting for justice, equality before the law, and so on. It is an inspiring reflection of what our society can do if we are committed to a vision with clarity, conviction and dedication. The five English dailies of Dimapur have enabled Nagas to ‘speak truth to power’ – to both ‘over ground’ and ‘underground’”, he further put across.
Iralu also noted that, “Pushing Boundaries” is an excellent collection of selected editorials written over a span of almost fifteen years” with its content touching on a wide range of topics from indigenous people to self-determination, gender equality, justice, peace, demilitarization, human rights and human security. Within the Naga context, he said the writer discusses “the presence of “multiple power centres” and also the “asymmetric power relations” that have rendered the protracted armed conflicts across the Naga homeland worse confounded.”
The book, he further highlighted “also brings out a range of clear concepts and practical ways that need urgent attention and dialogue in both private and public spaces” while expressing that “these efforts will help restore human dignity and healing, as we “redefine and shape right relationships with others.”
‘Political satires, social commentary & cultural criticisms’
In his introduction to the book under the heading “A Shared Journey,” Aküm Longchari said that the book is a collection of ideas expressed in the form of editorials published in The Morung Express between 2005 and 2017 with words, further amplified through the creative illustrations of Arien and Sandemo Ngullie.
Pushing Boundaries, he expressed, “seeks to persuade readers to closely examine, define and engage with the problem from its roots and discern how it can be averted in the future.” In this collection, “the Writer and the Artists come together in solidarity in presenting political satires, social commentary and cultural criticisms as a method to question, critique, lament and engage with specific events, ideas and policies in the lived realities of Naga-Land.”
It also attempts to highlight the need to establish processes with integrity based on values of JustPeace, Self-determination and Free Association.”
“The Writer and the Artists invite you to dream dreams, and to be moved to action by wrestling with the challenges and embracing the opportunities it presents in creating a truly harmonious, just and peaceful life together. We encourage fellow-travellers to join us in reflecting on some of the critical issues that continue to define the individual and collective futures of the people of Naga-Land. They are as relevant today as when they were written,” he stated.
Further exuding hope that that a new understanding will move us to get involved and act together, inspiring the public to participate while constantly connecting the Naga worldview with a vision of a shared humanity, he also added that, “in this search for humanization, the Nagas need not romanticize or glorify their past, rather recover and reconnect with our core values, honestly engage with the contradictions and develop with clarity a pathway to a shared future.”
Mention may be made here that Aküm Longchari (PhD) is the author of Self Determination –A Resource for JustPeace, Heritage Publishing House, Dimapur, Nagaland, 2016. He is an activist, trainer and educator in the areas of human rights, self-determination, reconciliation and JustPeace. Currently, he is the Publisher of The Morung Express and a consultant on Peace Education. Since 1994, he has been involved in people’s movements in the areas of human rights, justice, peace, and reconciliation.
Pushing Boundaries marks the 94th publication of PenThrill Publication House. The 458-paged book is priced at Rs 799 and is available at Crossword, The Common Room, Made in Nagaland Centre, Iko Café, Elite Dental in Kohima, Terence & Lucy’s Café in Pfütsero, Fusion Store, Butter Bookcafe in Dimapur and www.ilandlo.com.
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