Over 16000 Wild Animals & Birds Sold in Nagaland Market Annually

By Jordanna Dulaney

A comprehensive survey of the wildlife sold in the markets of Tuensang has resulted in a stunning record of the wildlife trade in the state of Nagaland in northeast India, as reported in a new study published in mongabay.com's open-access journal Tropical Conservation Science (TCS).

Once a week, researchers with the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History and the Near Chang Baptist group entered the Tuensang market and carried out intensive surveys and interviews of vendors selling wild birds or mammals. Researchers noted the species, price, and quantity of each animal then extrapolated their data to determine the implications for the conservation of the Nagaland wildlife, which, as apart of the Indo-Myanmar sub-region, is in one of the world's 34 global biodiversity hotspots.

Eight different species of mammals, 35 species of birds, 2 species of amphibians and 2 species of mollusks were recorded after 52 surveys. The estimates suggest that a whopping total of 16,634 birds and mammals are sold each year in the Tuensang market alone. Out of that, 3,657 are mammals, and 13,067 are birds. The most common bird sold was the great barbet (Megalaima virens), which was recorded in the Tuensang market 264 times during the 52 surveys. The most common mammal was the Himalayan striped squirrel (Tamiops mcclellandii), which was recorded 159 times.


A spotted Linsang (Prionodon pardicolor) at a Tuensang market in eastern Nagaland. Photo by J.Paramanandham.

The study demonstrates the lack of enforcement and effect of local and national wildlife protection laws in Nagaland. The paper suggests that the lack of effectiveness is most likely due to strong native culture in Nagaland (only about 100 out of the 29,772 residents of Tuensang are non-natives), made up of some 225 native tribe. The researchers found that the animals in the markets were almost all hunted or collected by native tribes, such as the Chang, Yimchunger, Khiemungan, and Sangtam. India’s laws protect virtually all large wild animals from hunting, but these laws are often ignored in Nagaland because of cultural traditions of the tribesmen, who uses the animals for food, medicine, ritual purposes, or, a source of reliable income. Cultural taboos or preferences in the communities for specific species also dictated much of the market demand and pricing. For example, the common hoopoe (Upupa epops) is believed to cure asthma, and so is more expensive than other birds, and bought for often.

Adding to the problem is the fact that most of the habitats in Nagaland are locally owned. Ninety-three percent of the habitual land in Nagaland is owned and managed by clans, villages, individuals, and district councils. The remaining 7% is government-owned and protected, but the rest of the land is primarily used for hunting or Swidden (slash-and-burn) agriculture.

Overall, the researchers advocate for increased monitoring of all Nagaland markets to find out more about the use of wildlife in the state. But the article cautions that the cultural and economic aspects of the issue need the involvement and support of the locals in Nagaland before any meaningful change can be made.


Red Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) at a Tuensang market in eastern Nagaland. Photo by Ramesh Kumar.


Beautiful Nuthatch (Sitta formosa) at a Tuensang market in eastern Nagaland. Photo by Ramesh Kumar.


Amphibians at a Tuensang market in eastern Nagaland. Photo by P. Thirumalainathan.



CITATION: Bhupathy, S., Ramesh Kumar, S., Thirumalainathan, P., Paramanandham, J. and Chang Lemba. 2013. Wildlife exploitation: a market survey in Nagaland, North-eastern India. Tropical Conservation Science Vol. 6(2):241-253. Available online: www.tropicalconservationscience.org

Nagaland Population On Decline

Kohima, Jun 7 : Nagaland’s population has reduced by 0.6 per cent over the last decade — a fact that came to light today with the release of the primary abstract of the state census for 2011.

The state, which had 19,90,036 residents in 2001, recorded a population of 19,78,502 in 2011.

Nagaland governor Ashwani Kumar released the primary abstract of the Nagaland Census 2011 during an event at Capital Convention Centre here and also presented certificates of honour and medals to officials who had performed exceedingly well while collecting data for the census.

Lauding the effort officials had put into the enumeration, he said the 2011 census portrayed an “authentic” picture of the current scenario in the hill state.

Stating that the census in Nagaland was a unique and fully participatory exercise that had the full backing of the government, civil servants and society, he said the officers had accomplished the challenging task with courage, truthfulness and professionalism.

The governor said the census had brought to light many interesting facts about Nagaland, which showed a high literacy rate of 79.6 per cent compared to the national average of 73 per cent and a female literacy rate of 76.1 per cent against the national average of 64.6 per cent. He said these were good indicators of human development.

Kumar said the other side of the statistics must also be kept in mind, as it showed wide disparities across some of the districts and subdivisions. Pointing out the difference in literacy rates between Mokokchung (91.6 per cent) and Mon (57 per cent), Kumar said such statistics should help in allocating more resources to improve the situation and ensure accessibility to education. “The areas with enough infrastructure need to start concentrating on quality education now, especially in science and technology.”

Regarding the rapid urbanisation the state was witnessing, Kumar said the need of the hour was a long-term policy based on a clear vision of the future to cater to the demands of urbanisation.

He emphasised the importance of having a balanced sex ratio and the need to provide equal opportunities to men and women in all aspects of social, economic and political life.

The governor congratulated the award winners and the entire team of the state directorate of census operations and thanked civil society, the people of Nagaland, numerous householders and the indigenous people for participating in the census. “Your contributions towards a broader public and national cause have made it possible for this huge and complex task to be completed in a very professional and systematic manner.”

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio said the census was an important exercise and expressed optimism that the data collected would help the state government chalk out crucial development plans.

Nagaland Emerges As Honey Producing Destination

Kohima, May 23 : Phony honey that is syrups containing illegal antibiotics is often dumped in India by China.

This has emerged as a big threat to the industry. Northeast India especially Nagaland is emerging as honey producing destination.

The per capita honey consumption in Nagaland is 165 grams while nationally it is 8 grams.

Nagaland Beekeeping and honey mission (NBHM) which started operations in 2007 is presently producing 380 metric tones (MT) of honey. The mission has a turnover of Rs 12 Crore.

This came to light during the national conference on beekeeping and honey industry organised by North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (Neramac) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FICCI) in Guwahati on Wednesday .

Bulk of the production in the Nagaland is sourced from four districts of Phek, Tuensang, Kohima and Zunheboto.

Young Naga Entrepreneur Ventures Into Food Processing

Meet proprietress, T.J. Foods, T. Jemima Achumi, who ventured into non-conventional business by launching processed food under the product line ‘JEMMEEZ’.

Achumi said she envisaged setting up a meat processing business in the state while she was a student in Delhi after she noticed that non-vegetarian processed food were easily available in the market, while it was not so in Nagaland though Nagas are known for their love of meat.

With Nagas’ food habit changing drastically over the years, Jemima felt the demand for meat in the market has also increased.

“There is an urgent need to frame the right strategy for the development of meat and poultry production in our state which will certainly bring prosperity as well as it will give employment opportunities” said Achumi.

She said the standard of the people in the state were moving on the fast lane and to keep pace with this trend, believed processed meat would be an ideal choice as it takes less time to prepare.
Here is an excerpt from the interview with YouthNet….

What prompted you to start the venture?
I come from a business class family of eight siblings born to Tovishe Achumi and Viholi Achumi of Aotsakili hailing from the Sumi Tribe.

It was always within me to become an entrepreneur someday though my parents initially wanted me to join the administration stream.

After schooling I moved out of the State to Delhi to pursue my graduation in sociology from Delhi University.

During my stay in Delhi, I saw the rise of demand in processed meat and consumers were getting more and more inclined towards it.

Realizing that a place like Nagaland or North East India has a major population of non-vegetarians, I was very positive that a meat processing unit would take off well and hence I started toying with the idea.

I researched for two years during which I met many entrepreneurs from all over India and with the encouragement and guidance of few this dream finally came true in October 2011.

About TJ Foods/Jemmeez:
We operate under the unit name of T.J. Foods and we manufacture and distribute our processed meat products (brand name Jemmeez) to our market in and around Nagaland.

This venture has given me the opportunity to employ female workers and it gives me great satisfaction that I can help our womenfolk in a small way.

What difficulties did you face during the setting up and running of the business:
To start off a venture like this was not very easy because setting up even the most basic food processing unit is a difficult task.

The financial aspect posed as a huge challenge as the investment were high but fortunately my family were able to provide me the financial assistance to start off.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries India does provide various subsidies to entrepreneurs, however, the procedures to avail these are lengthy and time consuming and so while I pursued to seek the Government’s help, I decided to start my venture with whatever financial help I had in hand.

In this business, there are less off-takes and more wastage of the raw material (meat) which becomes problematic when it comes to pricing it right.

Also the raw materials, like ‘local pork’ for our pork products, are not very easily available in the market so we bring it in from Assam every day.

The electricity problem in our State also makes it very difficult to run these kind of industries where everything is electrically operated. If all these problems can be solved, this industry can flourish smoothly.

Secret to success:
I believe, there is no end to success and to achieve the goals we need faith in ourselves, dedication, hard work, patience and focus.

Products and customer base:
One thing I learnt about our Naga fellowman is that we always tend to think that products which come from outside are always better than the ones produced in own state or the standards do not match up.

As long as our own people have this mentality, it is difficult for entrepreneurs from our state to operate businesses such as this. 

While this is not very encouraging but I’ve made it a point to ensure people tasted our products before judging it and I’m happy to say that after trying our products, many critics have only good things to say about it.

We deal with processed meat which compromises of three kind of sausages, i.e. breakfast/plain sausage, frankfurters, cocktail (ethnic style) etc.

Salamis come in plain and paprika and we have Ham as well. We are also the only manufacturer of Vacuum Packed Chinese Sausages in India.

All our products are available in Chicken, Pork and Beef. We ship in the best ingredients from Germany to give that unique and best taste.

We use only German Technology and all our products come in a vacuum pouch of 250 grams, available in most stores in and around Nagaland.

We market it under the brand name of “JEMMEEZ”. We send our products to Imphal, Guwahati, West Bengal, Sikkim and Bhutan as well.

We have plans on expanding it to more States in and around North East. What future do you foresee for this kind of ventures in Nagaland.

Nagaland has a very huge potential market for food industry. In fact, food industry is the biggest industry in the world and the demands keep rising every day.

If more people can get into the food industry then we can depend less on the other States or Countries and raise our economy and at the same time, there will be more work opportunities and employments in our state which is very much needed at this time.

Message to the youth:
Our Youth today should understand that getting a government job is not everything. Every one of us should look for innovative careers.

Being an entrepreneur builds your confidence, develops your personality and it sets you aside from the rest.

It is always good to be different to bring change. Never lose faith in yourself, pray and always follow your dreams because I really believe in what a certain writer quoted, “And when you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”.

Source: nagalandpost.com

Naga Youth Start To Explore Beyond Govt Jobs

By Esha Roy

Kohima, Apr 3 : Many Naga youths working outside the state are wary of returning, with opportunities scarce at home. And those still in Nagaland have often been reluctant to take up anything but government jobs.

A youth organisation has been making an effort to change that attitude in a state struggling with unemployment. YouthNet has since last year been running Nagaland Job Consultants, which provides training and internship to help youths find options beyond government jobs, including entrepreneurship. It also publishes YouthNet Opportunity Express, Nagaland's first employment paper.

"The kind of people we are helping are mostly graduates in their late 20s. They have been trying to get into government service for years but the competition is so stiff that they are finally looking for alternatives in the private sector," says Seyielezo Putsure, 32, who heads Nagaland Job Consultants.
"Youths are now willing to work in private offices, in customer service, as waiters and waitresses, as managers — things they would not have looked at before," he says.

Earlier this year, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said opportunities in government have reached saturation point. Putsure says, "Only 45 per cent of those registered with the employment exchange get a job, even after waiting for years."

"We have 65,000 registered at the employment exchange," chief secretary Alemtemshi Jamir says. "One of the main reasons is that the private sector does not come to the state. Apart from security issues, the tribal land policy can be prohibitive. The government is setting up zones such as Dimapur where these land laws can be relaxed."

Putsure was working in London as a "freelancing change consultant". "Before I graduated (from South Bank University), I came home and saw that private jobs and entrepreneurship are not encouraged at all," he says. "All parents want their children in government service."

YouthNet published in July 2010 a survey of 1,054 Naga youths working outside the state. Among various findings, one was that only 11.08 per cent wanted to come back. "Most wanted to continue working outside the state but they didn't know for how long," says YouthNet founder director Hekani Jakhalu, a lawyer. "For many who answered yes, it was merely a temporary phase... they wanted to continue working outside for a couple of years and head back eventually."

S Tiasnup Ozokum, 26, of Dimapur works in Bangalore as a business accounts manager with Wipro. He has an MBA degree from Chandigarh. "There was campus recruitment and I got hired by Wipro.

There is no such campus recruitment in Nagaland. If I were still in Nagaland, I would never have got this opportunity,'' he says. He now has the opportunity to return. "My company has given me permission to be a consultant to the Nagaland government on behalf of Wipro."

Zhovinuo Thoure, 27, a graduate from Delhi Law College and working in the Supreme Court, feels Nagalnd has few prospects for private practice, but says, "This is the right time to shift back. The young are looking to become entrepreneurs."

YouthNet recently selected 13 entrepreneurs from 11 districts and provided them start-up grants. It conducts workshops in agriculture, food processing, and automobiles. Based in Kohima, it plans to launch the consultancy and the paper in Dimapur too.

Standing Her Ground in Patriarchal Naga Society

By Prasanta Mazumdar

Guwahati, Mar 8 : Rosemary Dzuvichu stands out among the few women in Nagaland who have launched a crusade against corruption, violation of human rights, killings, gender bias etc. Her endeavour, so far, has raised many eyebrows in the male-dominated Naga society but she is going about with her job fearlessly, hoping to see a Nagaland immune to the social evils.

A human rights activist and a gender consultant who is also trained in conflict resolution, Rosemary is associated with a number of organisations both within and outside Nagaland. She is a senior faculty in Nagaland University in the department of English and has represented India and Asia as a panelist to several world conferences.

The activist observes that the customary laws and practices have been the biggest stumbling block for women’s empowerment, both politically and socially, in Nagaland.

“Women in Nagaland do not enjoy equal social and political status with men. They do not enjoy land, property or inheritance rights as per the customary laws. In sharp contrast with the Hindu Succession Act and the Muslim Personal Law, the Naga customary laws do not recognise inheritance or property rights even if you are the only child or daughter. So, when a man, who doesn’t have a son, dies, the property and land will be inherited by a male relative who may be five or six cousins away in family line,” Rosemary says.

She points out that discrimination against the girl child is evident from the high rate of school drop outs. She attributes the phenomenon to the family’s compulsions to continue educating the boys, poverty, early forced marriage, early employment for girls to look after brothers and siblings etc.

“Women are kept out of bounds of the traditional decision-making bodies such as the village councils in most villages where women are not even allowed to attend or listen to council deliberations. Nagaland has 1110 villages implementing one fourth reservation of seats for women in village development boards. However, in most villages, it is only on paper as there is a mindset opposing change and government has no political will to ask for accountability in implementation”.

Rosemary says the men always use the customary laws and practices as an excuse to exclude women in all spheres thereby violating their rights. The biggest tragedy of women in Nagaland is that there has not been the slightest change in their position in the society over the years.

Rosemary says battered by years of discrimination, the women in Nagaland have now launched a movement to assert their rights. In 2011, the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation, of which Rosemary is the co-convenor, had moved the court challenging the government to implement the Nagaland Municipal First Amendment Act 2006 and 33 per cent reservation for women besides demanding holding of municipal elections. Subsequently, the court gave judgement in their favour but it was opposed by tribal bodies and even the state government that culminated in the government’s passing a “shocking resolution” in the legislative assembly to exempt Nagaland from part 1X A of the Constitution which gives reservation to women. Rosemary says the government’s position forced them to move the apex court. The case will be heard on March 11.

The activist asserts that women groups such as the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and several others have vowed to continue their fight for women’s right to peace and security.

A single mother with two sons and a daughter, Rosemary cited gender-bias as a major problem facing the Naga women.

“Nagaland again has failed to elect a woman legislator this time but we are positive that time will come when we have to send serious contenders into the electoral process. But I still see reservation as the best option in lower level of village and towns and municipals”.

The activist has written on gender, socio political issues, development and peace with special emphasis and focus on the north-east and Nagas and their experiences over the years. She says patriarchy and its strong mindset dictates lives of most Naga women but she has been lucky to have lived and been treated like a son by her father. Being a Catholic church-leader, he is deeply gender sensitised and lives according to Christian principles of equality for all, she sums up.

Rio Begins Third Stint as Nagaland CM

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. File photo

Neiphiu Rio will be sworn in as the hief minister of Nagaland for the third consecutive term, on March 5 at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima, official sources said on Sunday.

Governor Nikhil Kumar will administer oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Rio, who was earlier elected as leader of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) legislature party.

The list of 11 Cabinet Ministers is likely to be submitted to the Governor by Monday, the sources said.

The Naga People’s Front (NPF)-led DAN having 40 elected members along with the support of seven Independents had staked claim to form the government on Saturday.

Mr. Rio is the only leader to have led the regional party to victory in the Assembly elections for the third time in the 50-year history of Nagaland.

Bypoll on March 23

Polls to the Tuensang Sadar-I Assembly constituency in Tuensang district of Nagaland will be held on March 23.

Election to the seat had to be countermanded due to the death of Congress candidate P. Chuba Chang a day before the state went to polls on February 23.

Filing of nominations will end on March 6, election office sources said, adding, the date of scrutiny of nomination of the INC sponsored candidate will be on March 7 and the last date of withdrawal on March 9.

Tuensang Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Returning Officer, T. Mhabemo Yanthan, in an official notification has reminded political parties that the Model Code of Conduct will continue to be in force within the jurisdiction of Tuensang Sadar-I Assembly seat till the process of election is completed.

Mr. Yanthan said the date of re-poll, if any, will be taken up on March 25 and counting of votes will be on March 26.

Other two candidates already in the fray are NPF’s L. Elam Chang and Poyang Changkong Chang (Independent).

Nagaland Priests For in Clean Elections

Dimapur, Feb 18 : A group of pastors in Nagaland have decided to up their fight against the state's notoriously corrupt election process.

The churches in the city are doing overtime urging followers to be a good Christian, follow the Bible and vote with honesty in the forthcoming assembly elections on February 23.

According to a report in the Times of India, local pastors are preaching morality to followers asking them not to be influenced by money and to follow the guidelines "on the basis of constitutional rights, the democratic spirit and Christian values".

Pastors in the state - mostly Nagaland Baptist Church Council - are holding prayers, sometimes going door to door with Bible to put the fear of God in people.

"Elect the right leader. Don't be influenced by money and fear no one. Please do not sell your vote. It is a sin," goes the chorus, that is often read during the Sunday mass.

The pastors also plan to hold prayers outside every polling booth on the day of elections for moral pressure on both candidates and voters.

The novel initiative was conceived by the NBCC, which began its Clean Election Campaign in 2011.

TOI Lifetime Contribution — Naga Mothers Association

Members of Naga Mothers Association. 

KOHIMA, Jan 10 : With their tiny frames, traditional attire, ready chuckles, and expert cooking, this group of Naga mothers looks what mothers are expected to. But when the stories emerge — of six-hour journeys into jungles to meet armed groups, of working with the HIVpositive in the early 1990s, of long legal battles — it's clear their idea of a mother's role is one that few women or men would be equal to.

The Naga Mothers Association (NMA) was formed in 1984 in response to the drug and alcohol addiction ravaging Nagaland at the time. "Every Naga tribe had a women's wing, women were strong in the church's activities. But with NMA they came together in an organised manner," says Sano Vamuzo, one of the network's founders and, at 80, an active adviser to NMA.

NMA's constitution mandates that every adult Naga woman is automatically made a member with an annual membership fee of Re 1. Leaders are selected from among members nominated by each of eight Naga tribes.

"In the beginning, the biggest issue affecting homes was drug addiction," says Abei-U Meru, also a founder and now NMA president. "The mothers came together because it was hurting every home." Along with spreading information, NMA started a rehabilitation centre. In the 1990s, it played a pioneering role in tackling HIV and AIDS. In September 1991, recalls founder memberformer president Neidonuo Angami, they visited the HIV-affected in Manipur Jail. "Food was thrown at them, such was the stigma. We were the first to go in and shake the patients' hands."

Through the 1980s and 1990s, NMA addressed the violence that tore Nagaland apart: atrocities by the Indian army against Naga groups and civilians, and then years of fratricidal killings between various Naga factions. "Daily gun battles would see two or three boys shot dead outside our homes. We would bring the shrouds for them," Meru recalls.

NMA made 'Shed No More Blood' its motto — one the women have gone to great lengths to uphold. Every time tensions simmered, they took off in a car on barely-there roads into the jungles of Nagaland and neighbouring states to urge leaders of factions to talk; NMA's only demand that peace be maintained. Ever since the 1997 truce between Naga groups and the Centre, NMA's been active in negotiations to settle the vexed issue of a homeland for all Nagas. But the ceasefire hasn't meant an end to the violence.

In 2010, the NMA helped calm one of the mosttense situations in recent years after two young Nagas were shot dead by the army at Mao town on the Manipur border. "For eight days, villagers refused to claim the bodies, tensions escalated on both sides," says Rosemary Dzuvichu, a university professor and NMA adviser. Stopped by the army at every step, Dzuvichu and Meru pushed through security cordons, shrouded the bodies and took them to the boys' families.

Over the past two years, NMA's been fighting an adversary of a different kind: some men in the Naga tribal and political leadership. In 2006, the Naga government brought in 33% quota for women in urban local bodies. But the state began to waver once the NMA pressured it to hold elections with the quotas. The mothers went to court.

The government said reservation for women would be in conflict with customary law, a position that enrages the NMA. "Customary law says Nagas can't buy and sell land. Does anybody follow that," asks Sarah Nuh, NMA's vice-president. "Culture is not static. It has to change," agrees Lochumbeni Humtsoe, the network's secretary.

When the high court upheld the state's position, NMA moved Supreme Court. The order's expected by the monthend. Balancing the state's tribalism with their ideals is a delicate task that NMA finds itself doing a lot. "Within NMA, we've forged alliances across all tribes. There's unity," says Vamuzo. Often, male leaders ask the women to put their tribe's interests first. Nagaland has never had a woman MLA. Naga Hoho, the apex tribal body, too, doesn't have women. "They expect women to speak only on social issues, not to make decisions," says Nuh.

"They worry women leaders will next go for their MLA seats," laughs Dzuvichu. The older women are sure a new leadership will emerge. "The elders planted the seed very well," says Neidonuo. "Many younger ones ask: Why mothers? Let's change the name to women. I say no. The NMA is for all women, unmarried or married, mothers or not. But the word 'mother' has dignity in Naga society. Everyone respects a mother. The name stays," says Vamuzo.

Nagaland's 1st Christian Online Radio Launched

The radio is a joint venture of Highland Dawn Media Nagaland and Chennai Christian Radio.

The launching of NCR at Ozone cafe Kohima

Kohima, Dec 6 :  The first online Christian radio station in Nagaland was launched to provide a platform to Naga musicians.

Chotisuh Sazo, parliamentary secretary for social welfare, child and women development, launched the Nagaland Christian Radio (NCR) Monday in the state capital Kohima.

The radio is a joint venture of Highland Dawn Media (HDM) Nagaland and Chennai Christian Radio (CCR).

“The program should reach to those who do not have access to it otherwise. It would be a blessing to local Christian community as well,” said Sazo.

He said the radio should set an example for other non-Christian states and countries.

Bob Swaggerty, the founder of CCR, said when he landed it in India five years ago, he felt the need for Christian radio and had a vision to start an FM radio station.

Swaggerty is a radio-broadcast engineer with 15 years experience from the United States of America.

He started CCR in 2010 that currently has an average of about 700 listeners per day and about 60,000 tune in’s per month from 22,000 unique listeners.

Bob said he planned to start radio channel in Nagaland as he saw passion for music among young Nagas.

“This first online NCR would play the best Christian music from across the globe as well as from local artistes and Church youth groups,” he added.

Swaggerty expressed hope that NCR would attract listeners locally and Nagas living abroad and would be accessible from Iphone, Android, blackberry and Nokia devices in near future.

Hornbill Fest Kicks Off in Style

Kohima, Dec 3 : The 13th Hornbill Festival of Nagaland 2012 got underway on Saturday at the Naga Heritage Complex, Kisama, amid much fanfare.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Nagaland governor Nikhil Kumar said the festival has become an important event not only in the state but in the entire country as is evident from the presence of people from different parts of the country.

Welcoming delegates from Myanmar, who have come to attend the festival, he pointed out the number of people witnessing the festival has been increasing over the years. The governor also extended his greetings to people for the Statehood Day, which coincided with the festival inauguration.

State chief minister Neiphiu Rio held aloft the festival, organized by the state government, as a popular annual tourism promotion event and a coming together of all components of the society. Over the years, the festival has gained in stature and popularity and has become a unique platform for tourists to witness the cultural diversity of the people of Nagaland, the chief minister said.

Rio enumerated a series of events to take place during the week-long festivities like a national rock contest, international motor rally, art festival, cultural show, fashion shows and the recently added Young Naga Achievers Award, etc. He lauded the organizers for the endeavour and emphasized upon the need for peace and tranquility in the state, urging one and all to maintain peace in the land.

The young achievers award was given out to Chekrovolu Swuro, the Naga Olympian at the London Olympics 2012; Nise Meruno, renowned soloist and musician who has performed with his group at international events and Atouzo, a young Naga entrepreneur based in the US who has worked with world famous celebrities. The award consisted of one million rupees, a citation and a memento.

Each Year More Than 100,000 Amur Falcons Are Killed In Nagaland

Each year thousands of migratory Amur falcons (Falco amurensis) are hunted by locals in the Indian State of Nagaland during their passage through that region. On November 1, 2012, Shashank Dalvi and Ramki Sreenivasan first documented the massacre at Indian online campaign site ‘Conservation India‘.
Every October, a large numbers of Amur falcons arrive in northeast India and Bangladesh from Siberia en route to their final destination — Somalia, Kenya and South Africa. Amur falcons travel up to 22,000 km in a year, in one of the longest migration routes of all birds.

Amur Falcon (Falco Amurensis). Image by Alastair Rae, from Wikipedia. CC BY-SA.

Last month a group of activists (Ramki Sreenivasan from Conservation India, Shashank Dalvi, Bano Haralu, Rokohebi Kuotsu) travelled to Nagaland to check out information that thousands of falcons were being hunted annually on the banks of the Doyang reservoir during their passage through that region. They accompanied a hunting group and documented the massacre:

The Amurs spend the day on the transmission wires (almost entirely inaccessible to hunters) and descend to forested patches along the banks of the reservoir to roost (see map). The hunters ruthlessly exploit this particular behavior and set-up huge fishing nets (30-40m long, 10-12m tall) all over the roosting sites.
Birds get caught in the nets in large numbers. These birds get tangled in the nets while they come to roost during late evenings or when they leave the roost early in the morning. The nets were permanent and the hunters come every morning to remove the trapped birds. The nets were observed over the entire roosting area giving virtually no safe area for the birds. Branches and paths were cleared to set up the nets.

Here is a video of the terrible proceedings (warning: graphic images):

The Amur Falcon Massacre, Doyang, Nagaland from Conservation India on Vimeo.

Now the shocking figures:

Each hunting group had set-up at least 10 nets. On an average, 18 birds (18.30, n=23) were caught per net; hence each group catches about 180 birds per day. This was confirmed with interviews with hunters. We were also informed that about 60-70 hunting groups operate every day. This means during the peak migration about 12,000 to 14,000 birds are caught everyday.

Each bird is sold door-to-door in nearby villages as a fresh food for a price of about Rs. 25 ($0.5). Reports say local villagers can earn a few thousand rupees by selling the smoked Amur falcons. It may be noted that Amur killing is illegal and banned by the local authorities since 2010.
This story went viral and news quickly spread around the world shocking many people. There were a number of petitions online. Soon other popular sites like National Geographic highlighted the issue and called for a global solution. National Geographic commented:

The local people filmed by Conservation India catching Amur falcons, breaking their wings, sorting them, smoking them, and trading in them, cannot possibly enjoy this annual activity and do this purely for money and trade goods.

Amur Falcons being extracted from the net by hunters. Screenshot from the video by Conservation India.

Birdlife International wrote:

The recent trapping and slaughter appears to have been taking place on an ‘industrial scale’ and unless stopped will clearly have a devastating affect on the birds’ global population at these unsustainable levels.

The site also confirms that with the help of their advocacy the following happened:

The Honourable Minister (for environment and forests), Miss Jayanthi Natarajan personally intervened and The Indian Forest Department and District Administration also acted fast to destroy nets and release several still-captive falcons. The sale of falcons has now been stopped and at least one person has already been jailed.

However, hunters in Nagaland has defied the ban for many years and it may happen again in future without changing behaviors of the hunters. The Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland, Dimapur stated in a press note:

Seizing and releasing of the birds from the possession of the offenders did not discourage them but rather, they resented and rebelled against the action taken and continued their offence.

The press note also talks about education and awareness campaign for the local villagers and stakeholders as a future course of action.
According to latest news the State department of forest, ecology, environment and wildlife has directed district forest officers (DFOs) of Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Wokha districts to immediately ban the act of capturing and killing of Amur Falcon.
Bogdan Draganescu comments at the Conservation India post:

Just because these birds are numerous and are not on the verge of extinction, does not mean they are food for humans. animals should be respected not only as individuals but also as groups and societies. just as a flock of birds is. a living entity and a result of evolution of life. this is what we have to respect and conserve.

Written by Rezwan

Korea Out Of Kohima

By Devjyot Ghoshal

New Delhi Nov 24 : Nagaland ’s fascination with all things Korea n is a thing of the past. Japanese fashion and Bollywood movies are now the in thing with the fashion-forward Naga youth. Devjyot Ghoshal finds out what led to the disillusionment with Seoul.

The steep streets of Kohima , that once reverberated to everything Korean, are now a smorgasbord of different influences as the current generation of Naga youth, who have grown up in the afterglow of India’s oldest insurgency, attempts to piece together a distinct identity.

Theja Meru , a 42-year-old entrepreneur and musician, was the improbable matchmaker of Nagaland’s short-lived romance with Korea and its cultural paraphernalia. At its climax, in the last few years of the past decade, the father of two says that Korean culture had permeated into Nagaland's social fabric so deeply that he was able to convince the state government to open its coffers for the India-Korea Music Festival in 2008.

Some 7,000 people had poured out into the streets at that event. Korean musicians strode on the stage; the state’s political leadership stood in attendance; and it looked as if there could actually be a platform for Nagaland’s young people to connect with a large cultural entity other than India. Then it all slowly crumbled away. “My regret is that it didn’t go in the direction it could have,” Meru admits, his usually animated face suddenly quiescent. “It never reached the size it could have.”

The darkened college-side teashops and kerbside gatherings in Nagaland cities are no longer dominated by Korean cuts or clothes. Instead, the street now harbours aficionados of punk, emo, rock and metal. In the trend-setting corridors of high schools, Tokyo has taken over from where Seoul walked out; from Manga-inspired hair to graphic shirts, there's a new subculture brewing.

Ramshackle barber shops, swank clothes outlets and dank second-hand garment markets have all adjusted. For the latter, it is the nature of imports from Bangkok that has changed. In the numerous CD and DVD shops, Korean films and soaps must now compete with Thai, Japanese or even Bollywood productions.

And more institutionalised entities, such as a Korean club in Kohima that Meru started in 2007 and the Korean language classes that were held there with government backing, too, have either failed or are about to. At the Hornbill Festival, the state's big December festivity that was a former showcase of this unusual cultural interaction, other preoccupations have taken centrestage.

The Korean monopoly stands broken. Nagaland is over Gangnam Style, even as the world today swoons over PSY's billboard topping song.

* * *

The Koreans have a word for it: Hallyu, the Korean wave. It describes a seemingly unstoppable surge of Korean entertainment, fashion and music. The Hallyu started trickling into Nagaland through Arirang TV, a Korean television channel, about a decade ago. Then, it turned into a torrent as Arirang clearly became, with no official validation, the state’s most watched television channel.

No one is quite sure exactly how and precisely when it happened, but Akum Longchari , publisher and editor of Morung Express, one of Nagaland’s largest English dailies, suspects it had to do with the state’s relative isolation. “The media became the window for the Nagas to the outside world. When we were closed [during the height of the insurgency] the window to the world was television.”

Although Indian television existed throughout, including lacklustre Doordarshan, when stability returned to Nagaland, there remained a sense of animosity towards the “mainland”, often used to refer to sub-continental India. The presence of a strong oral tradition that kept alive the Nagas’ memories of the bloody and painful insurgency ensured that they did not have “a natural liking for the mainland”, explains Meru. “So there was a natural search for an alternative, especially for the urban population.”

Arirang TV fed that hunger. “Maybe there are similarities in values; the tension between generations, for instance,” reflects Longchari. But much more conspicuous are the shared Mongoloid phenotypic traits. For a young Naga, the physical resemblance to a Korean pop-star is much stronger than, say, that with Anil Kapoor or any other Bollywood star. And in a state that is predominantly Christian, where the older generation doesn’t speak Hindi, the family dramas of a Gujarati or Marwari household were alien. “Arirang came straight into their houses and young people here probably felt ethnically connected to the Koreans,” reasons Himato Zhimoni, Nagaland’s commissioner and secretary for tourism, art & culture.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Manipur, local insurgent groups seeking to safeguard indigenous culture banned Hindi films and music. The substitutes, pirated CDs and DVDs, poured into Moreh, a small border town, from Myanmar and found their way into Nagaland. These were cheap — and remain so, at about Rs 80 for a DVD — and well-packaged, with beautiful young actors on the covers. “Korean soaps started doing very well. They were family dramas, emotional with lots of crying and sometimes 30 or 40 episodes long. And with English subtitles,” recalls Meru, “People would watch them through the night.”

Alongside came K-Pop, Korea’s home-grown popular music genre, which caught on fast in this society imbued with the Western musical sensibilities that proselytising Christian missionaries brought with them. Seoul-born entertainer Rain became bigger than Mumbai’s Himesh Reshammiya. That was followed by the arrival of distinctly Korean hairstyles, perfected at local barbershops and salons, and clothes, flown in from Bangkok, to craft that perfect “look” that Nagaland’s fashion-forward teenagers demanded. And so, the Hallyu was embraced.

* * *

“Initially, it was just a lifestyle thing,” says Meru, “But we wanted to get into it and channelise it, instead of condemning it. Korea isn’t just about fashion and entertainment. It’s an economic powerhouse, with a strong work culture and business skills. We wanted to bring that here.”

For young Nagas, thus, this fascination with Korean culture was a sort of rebellion from “mainland” India. “They symbolise progress, development and sovereignty. It’s everything we dream of. Korean culture was very big. Almost everyone was into in,” acknowledges Vizono Khesoh, a 20-year-old sociology student at Kohima’s Baptist College, “It is about our desire to be different.”

In 2007, Meru founded the Arirang TV Fan Club, a platform for young people with an interest in Korea. At its peak, the club had over a hundred registered members, many of who helped create and manage a separate Korean Pavilion at the Hornbill Festival in 2007. The Nagaland government sponsored a few to even travel to Kolkata, the nearest metropolis, to learn Korean and subsequently, language classes were started at Dream Cafe, Meru’s coffee shop in Kohima. “The government support was massive,” he says.

So massive, in fact, that Nagaland’s chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, himself travelled to the Arirang TV headquarters in Seoul to plan an India-Korea Music Festival, which was eventually hosted during the Hornbill Festival in December 2008 at the cost of some Rs 25 lakh. The Arirang brass, too, attended. All this, with an informal understanding, Meru claims, that Naga artists would be invited to perform in Korea the following year. “But the next year, Korea didn’t really respond,” he says, “And I came under pressure.”

The state government, having been cold-shouldered by its East Asian counterpart, eventually lost interest, and by the middle of 2009, Meru stepped away from the Arirang TV Fan Club. Those who had led the Korean language classes also moved on. “If only their government had invited people from here, it wouldn’t have ended like this,” laments Meru. Without institutional support, the Hallyu waned.

* * *

Yet, the Naga search for an identity continues, and in it lies an opportunity for the “mainland” to re-engage with young people here who often feel left out on the fringes, both psychologically and physically.

“We are still very confused about ourselves. From a society of head-hunters, we directly shifted into a modern, Western society. We are in the middle of an identity crisis,” says final-year college student Anen Molungnenla.

While that has meant that foreign cultures are openly embraced, in recent years it has also resulted in sub-continental influences, particularly Bollywood, making deeper inroads into Naga society. “Our fathers lived through and experienced widespread violence. Now, that fear has receded and we are more open, but there’s still some reservation. We don’t know if we’ll be accepted for who we are,” says Anen’s classmate, Vizono.

But the change is slowly becoming visible. In CD and DVD shops, the sales of Bollywood films have increased substantially, say local shopkeepers, and in clothes outlets, demand for branded products is booming. “Five years ago, brands didn’t matter. Now, maybe because of promotions, it’s got into their minds. Everyone wants to buy branded clothes. Even Class VI students want Adidas,” says James, the manager of Gravity. With some 8,000 square feet of display space and 24 staff in the heart of Kohima, Gravity clocks sales worth around Rs 40 lakh every month, he claims.

And college students here, like Anen and Vizono, admit that they spend “almost all of their pocket money” on clothes, accessories and hair. It’s not as if parents don’t show concern, particularly at absurd haircuts and flashy clothes, they add, and the loss of indigenous Naga culture. But in living room conversation with older Nagas, parents admit that they would rather live with their children doing this than with drugs, a problem that was once rampant in Nagaland.

Overriding it all, however, is a latent desire among young Nagas to become part of India’s economic growth story. “We want development. Schools, colleges, hospitals and things like that. There’s so much talent here but no way to expose it,” says Vizono, whose big discovery from a recent trip to Bangalore was “black-topped roads everywhere. This is the best time to engage with us. We want to connect with the mainstream.”

That mainstream, ironically, now swings to Gangnam Style.

Peace Sells But Who’s Buying It?

Afer secret parleys with the government, Th Muivah will meet other rebel outfits to push for a peace deal. But will they let him dictate the agenda? Avalok Langer reports
The masterminds Isak Swu (left) and Thuingaleng Muivah are confident of sealing a peace deal by March

NAGALAND IS buzzing with a sense of anticipation that a solution to the six-decade-long Indo-Naga political dispute is within reach. The sentiment was given a boost when National Socialist Council of Nagaland-IM leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Swu announced in Dimapur last week that a deal could be reached as early as March next year. However, having held talks with the Government of India (GoI) in isolation and secrecy, the biggest question is, will the solution — which will, in all probability, be only for the British-created state of Nagaland that will act as a political umbrella for all Nagas — and the leadership of Muivah, a Thankul Naga from Manipur, be accepted?

The problem stems from the fact that the NSCN(IM) has not involved the other groups in the negotiations, keeping their dialogue a secret. What compounds the secrecy is that the allegiance to the groups is along tribal lines. Some tribes support the IM, while others back the Naga National Council (NNC), Kitovi-Khole and so on; the IM alone doesn’t have the Naga mandate.

“The NSCN(IM) leaders treat Naga sovereignty as if it is their private property. They don’t want to share power and position, not realising that no single group has a monopoly over the Naga nation,” says Father Abraham Lotha, a Naga intellectual. “The IM leadership has always said, ‘We will take it to the Naga people and their decision will be ultimate.’ The problem is that the IM has not taken the proceedings of any negotiations with the GoI to the Naga people. The Naga public have not been given their due respect and place, nor have their democratic rights been respected. What will the people decide if they don’t know on what point to decide?”

While the NSCN(IM) leaders are trying to meet other groups on their present visit, a disconnect stemming from a lack of information has left the faction sequestered. “The biggest problem the GoI is facing is what to do with Muivah. He may bring a solution and from what I have gathered from my sources in Delhi, it will be for Nagaland state,” says Daniel*, a member of NSCN(Kitovi-Khole). “But given that he is from Manipur, the people will never accept his leadership. The GoI will have to create space for him in Manipur.”

Michael*, a Naga author who has travelled extensively across all Naga areas (in Assam, Manipur, Arunachal, Nagaland and Myanmar), agrees, “In my opinion, 95 percent of Nagas will not accept Muivah’s leadership. Many victims of the IM’s political anti-NNC purges are itching to get their revenge on him for killing over 3,000 Nagas in pursuit of his political ambitions.”

NSCN(IM) The leadership is holding meetings with different groups to ensure they have popular support for the solution. While absolute sovereignty seems out of the question, a political sovereignty that doesn’t interfere with India’s territorial integrity seems to be on the cards

Having opposed Nagaland’s statehood and the Shillong Accord, the NSCN(IM) and others have pushed for sovereignty, causing misery to the local populace. So, it becomes difficult for any group to go in for a settlement short of complete sovereignty without facing a backlash.

OVER THE years, sovereignty has progressively redefined itself as an alternative arrangement from a Jammu & Kashmir-like status to the one enjoyed by Bhutan. So, when The Indian Express recently announced that the NSCN(IM) had accepted the Indian Constitution, there was a wave of public criticism, with the general consensus being, “Why has the NSCN(IM) fought for 40 years only to accept what Nagaland already enjoys?” The report resulted in a quick clarification from the IM, but the truth is, no one knows what the broad outlines of the solution are.

The NSCN(IM) would not only be concerned about a public backlash, but they would also be carefully calculating the reactions of other groups who are opportunistically waiting to ridicule IM and project themselves as the real deal.

Over the past few months, different groups have been making moves to secure their future. After the June 2011 split in NSCN(K), where the chairman SS Khaplang, a Burmese Naga who had originally teamed up with Muivah and Swu when they broke away from the NNC, was ‘impeached’ by Kitovi Zhimomi and Gen Khole Konyak, Khaplang has seemingly shifted his focus solely onto Myanmar, making him “irrelevant” to the Indo-Naga talks.

It’s difficult for any group to go in for a settlement short of full sovereignty without facing a big backlash

According to sources, he recently signed a seven-point agreement with the Myanmar government, which ensures an unconditional ceasefire and the withdrawal of the army from all 11 Naga districts in Myanmar, which will now be policed and administered by Khaplang.

However, having secured his base in Myanmar, Khaplang will now play spoilsport on the Indian side of the border. “Despite having announced his support for the ongoing talks and non-interference, the NSCN(K) is continuing to push into Arunachal and eastern Nagaland. They won’t allow a final solution to materialise. They continue to provide a safe haven to Manipuri and Assamese underground groups to destabilise the region,” says a source.

The outsider SS Khaplang is planning to expand his operations while staying in Myanma

Having impeached Khaplang, Kitovi and Khole have been working to establish themselves as a force to reckon with. From the start, they had broken away from the idea of integration of all Naga areas in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal and Myanmar into ‘Nagalim’ (greater Nagaland) and spoken only of a solution for the Nagaland state.

They have endorsed Khaplang’s moves in Myanmar and are also supporting the growing demand for an alternative arrangement in Manipur. The hope is that Muivah will get his political space in Manipur, while Khaplang remains in Myanmar and the Nagas of Nagaland create their own political structure. They have already started the groundwork to get popular support before they propose an alternative solution to the GoI.

NSCN(K) Khaplang has already established his writ in the Naga areas of Myanmar. As of now, he will wait and watch, but he is eager to hold on to Tirap and Changlang in Arunachal, something that has the Arunachal government worried

“The different factions are too full of themselves; they suffer from opportunism and one-upmanship. No results delivered, of course,” laments Father Abraham. “All the underground factions want to control Dimapur, the land of milk and honey. Meanwhile, extortion is rampant; they all take money that belongs to the people.”

Twice in the past two months, members of the Joint Legislature Forum, a collective representing all 60 MLAs of Nagaland cutting across party lines, made their way to New Delhi to assert their willingness to resign and make way for an interim government as part of the final solution. “The 2013 election will happen because both the GoI and NSCN(IM) are not ready for a solution,” says Abong*, a researcher. “The political parties are pushing for an early solution and when it falls through, they will say, ‘We did our best. We are committed but the underground isn’t ready’, and thereby derive maximum mileage from the situation.”

On the other hand, having signed a ceasefire, the GoI has been playing a waiting game. “Muivah, Swu and Khaplang are all in their late 80s. They want to secure something concrete in their lifetime so that they are immortalised and the next generation has something to build on,” says a senior intelligence officer, hinting that if they die, the movement will disintegrate.

‘In Nagaland, guns define power, so who will be willing to give up their arms?’ asks Father Abraham Lotha

What the GoI doesn’t realise is that the next generation of the Naga underground is much better trained and educated. The NSCN(IM) has sent many of their political wonks abroad to be trained in governance.

Given that Muivah and Swu have not been in Nagaland since the 1970s, it is the next tier of leadership that has built the organisation on the ground. Khaplang has already established a secure base in Myanmar and his next generation will be much more aggressive and violent.

While a solution draws closer, many questions remain unanswered, especially the one on sovereignty. While Indian sovereignty is defined in terms of Westphalian and functional sovereignty, in Nagaland, sovereignty resides in the village council. Naga democracy, similar to the Greek city states, is a direct democracy. “If India really wants a solution, they should agree to give the Nagas sovereignty. Since the GoI looks at sovereignty as functional sovereignty whereas among the Nagas, it is a way of life, both systems can coexist. It is just a question of semantics and India embracing her federal structure,” says Abong.

Whatever the solution and whoever implements it, an interim government will have to be formed first. No matter what anyone says, the NSCN(IM) cannot be discounted as they are the ones in the driver’s seat; they will be a part of the interim government. Otherwise, the solution will not hold and the state will slip into violence. But what happens when the newly created system goes in for elections?

NSCN(KK) It is working on creating a larger political base within the state. They strongly feel that Nagas from Nagaland should implement the political solution and integration will happen once the Nagas have established themselves

“With the solution, a plan for disarmament is a must,” says Father Abraham. “In Nagaland, guns define power, so who will be willing to give up their arms? But this is an issue that needs to be brought up. When the solution comes, it will be imposed as it has not been discussed with the people and the NSCN(IM) doesn’t have the complete mandate of the people. They can’t survive without arms.”

Another factor is that the groups don’t trust each other, nor do they trust the GoI. If the NSCN(IM) and NSCN(KK) disarm, the door will be open for the Khaplang faction to push in and take over. This creates a Catch-22 situation; there cannot be a lasting solution or peace without disarmament, but given the trust deficit, disarmament will lead to the loss of realistic deterrence and thereby cause more violence. A committee similar to the UN committee set up in Nepal to rehabilitate and disarm the Maoists could be an option. It is suggested that the Indian Army will absorb a few thousand cadres and a separate Naga army will stand guard, but this remains conjecture.

Renegades Kitovi Zhimomi (centre) and Khole Konyak are charting their own course

Over the next few months, the NSCN(IM) will have to work closely with the people of Nagaland as well as other underground groups to ensure that the solution they bring will be accepted. And the GoI will have to convince Manipur, Nagaland and Assam to create a special status for the Naga areas within their states (the chief ministers of Manipur and Arunachal have already been approached) if they want the solution to hold and allow India to develop the Northeast and actively open up the region for trade with Myanmar.

AS IT stands today, sovereignty in its historical sense and the integration of all Naga-dominated areas into one political unit is not an option. However, given the flexibility of the Indian Constitution and its Article 371 A, which gives Nagaland a special status ensuring that its land and natural resources cannot be touched by the Centre, their cultural and historical systems take precedence (many people don’t go to the police or court, rather get their justice from tribal and village councils). So, a formal recognition of Naga aspirations will go a long way without changing much on the ground.

While the Centre has reasons to be worried about the impact in J&K of giving Nagas ‘sovereignty’, in truth, each problem has to be dealt with on its own merits. After years of conflict, if New Delhi wants to develop the region and prepare them for trade as a part of the Look East policy, peace and progress are the need of the hour.

*Names changed to protect identities

Avalok Langer is a Senior Correspondent with Tehelka.
avalok@tehelka.com

Rebel With A Cause

By Mohan Menon

Denim was classic anti-establishment material; to wear it was to wear your rebellious streak. - K. ANANTHAN

Appealing to the non-conformist in a consumer is a winning strategy for marketers.

This is not a twisted take on the title of that famous movie starring the late James Dean. In fact, the title may as well have been: ‘Wear your rebellion’.

The young and restless have always had ways of thumbing their noses at the establishment.

The genesis of this article is a feature I once read about young Naga men and women dressed in high-fashion clothes, not Italian or French or any famous label … but mainly Korean!

This called for an investigation, I said to myself. Before I could reach for my deerstalker hat and magnifying glass, the answer appeared. Korean pop culture landed in Nagaland to huge applause thanks to the advent of a Korean TV channel.

It also happened to feature high fashion that would have been quite at home on the Via Veneto or Champs Elysees. Korean fashion resonated tellingly with the sentiments of young Nagas, especially since many of the models looked like, yes, young Nagas.

Why do young Nagas shun Indian clothes with a vengeance? Thereby hangs a tale. (See box)

Wearing your rebellion, of course, is not just politically motivated.

Tapping into this streak has always been a goldmine for marketers.

Denim is a classic case. What started out as a fabric for workmen became a statement, often of rebellion. Denim straddles a wide spectrum from rough casual clothes to high fashion, all tinged with that provocative je ne sais quoi. Denim may have had its ups and downs but then it has always made a comeback stronger than ever. Think about it. It’s the only such fabric in the world that laughs in your face if you are the ‘stiff upper lip’ kind and gets away with it.

Clothing is, of course, a natural for displaying an in-your-face rebellious streak.

Could you use rebellion for selling a car?

Well many years ago the Beetle did that by confronting those gigantic American cars and winning.

A Bentley that drives up may evoke admiration and envy. Let’s say it sported a streak of denim (as indeed some bespoke models do). Then it’s unlikely to be dismissed as some rich fat cat’s toy.

Suddenly it’s a statement that the owner may be rich, but not exactly in love with the establishment.

In an age of ballpoint pens and jotters, a fountain pen could cleverly be projected as an instrument of rebellion. Or even more impractically, a quill and a bottle of ink for desk use. All we need is to electrify our minds and one could use rebellion in unusual ways and settings.

Conformity is ho-hum . Or as Fido Dido put it so memorably, “Normal is Boring.”

When the Church entered Nagaland years ago, the Nagas were dressed in next to nothing.

The priests, after converting them to Christianity, promptly forced them to give up their ‘pagan’ ways and urged them to wear clothing, Western clothing. After years of being under British rule, the Nagas loathed the idea of losing their identity and becoming part of India. Years of strife and militancy followed which culminated in the formation of Nagaland.

Young Nagas were, however, not so easily appeased. And one way to show their defiance was to shun Indian modes of dress and wear only fashionable Western attire.

Mohan Menon, ad man, is a founder director of the Chennai Business School.

Neiphiu Rio Wants Emotional Integration of Nagas

New Delhi, Oct 19 : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said if physical integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited territories is not possible, there should at least be emotional integration to resolve the Naga insurgency.

Perhaps, Rio has in mind a body that unites the Nagas irrespective of which state they live while thinking aloud of an emotional integration. Already, there is the Naga Ho Ho, an apex tribal council where various Naga tribes are represented. Last month, a Naga Ho Ho delegation met various political leaders here for a peaceful solution. While working out a solution, the government could mull institutionalizing the Naga Ho Ho, said a source drawing an analogy with the SGPC that unites Sikhs in matters of religion.

Peace talks began with the NSCN (IM) 15 years ago. In the last two years, interlocutors led by 1972 batch IAS officer R S Pandey could impress upon the rebel leaders that though the Constitution allows redrawing state boundaries for Naga integration, it is fraught with practical problems. Also, India won't agree to "secession of an inch of its territory". There are indications that the rebels have understood India's imperatives.

For an "honourable settlement" of the issue, the Centre can concede certain special rights in governance and development relating to Naga identity, culture, land and autonomy, said a source. The Centre is also mulling autonomous councils in Naga inhabited areas in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh like those for Bodos in Assam or Gorkhas in West Bengal, said a source.

For this, skilful negotiation in a short time between the Centre, concerned states, interlocutors and the Nagas is required for a win-win solution acceptable to all. "The solution should be inclusive," said Rio.

He insisted this is the most opportune time for the Indian government to resolve the "Naga political issue". "The people of Nagaland want peace. They are fed up with extortion and illegal activities. The Naga nationalist underground groups have never come as close to the state and central government as now," he said. Leader of Naga insurgent group NSCN (IM), Th Muivah, too, is ready for settlement.

Rio said this was the most "opportune time" for the Centre to come up with a permanent solution to the 65-year-old struggle. "If this opportunity is missed, I don't know whether we will get such a chance in our lifetime," said Rio.

For an embattled UPA government suffering from policy paralysis, it seems to be an uphill task.

Naga Band Video Nominated For MTV Europe Music Awards

Painted Dreams by Alobo Naga And The Band from Dimapur in Nagaland has been nominated under Best Indian Act/Worldwide Act A hit video by a band from Nagaland which featured in VH1's International Top 10 Chart Busters is among five Indian singles to be nominated for the MTV Europe Music Awards to be held in Frankfurt in November.

Painted Dreams by Alobo Naga And The Band from Dimapur in Nagaland has been nominated under Best Indian Act/Worldwide Act.

The other Indian groups in the list are Bandish Projekt (Lover Ft, Monica Dogra), the iconic Indus Creed (Fireflies) and Menwhopause (Easy) and singer-songwriter Oliver Sean (So good final movie).

The voting process has started in the MTV EMA 2012 official website and will end on October 14.

The video single Painted Dreams was the official theme song of prestigious 1st Guwahati International Short Film Festival (GISFF), 2011. It was conceptualised and directed by Prithish and Puja Chakraborty from Creovaent Productions, Guwahati.

"It's incredible; we are just speechless with the nomination. It's a proud moment for us and the entire northeast and especially for our musicians," said an excited Alobo Naga, the vocalist of the band.

"The nomination to this global platform shows the opportunities that are now open for western musicians from the northeast," said Prithish.

Painted Dreams was ranked among the Top 50 international music videos of 2011 by US channel VH1. It also featured at number four in VH1's International Top 10 Chart Busters, a list which had the likes of Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera and Pitbull.

US Band To Rock Nagaland

Kohima, Sep 21 : Come Saturday, Kohima will be rocked by world famous Christian heavy metal band Stryper, from Orange County, California, US.

It will perform in Dimapur on Sunday.

This will be its first international concert in India.

The four-member band, a household name in Nagaland, will belt out their latest songs and collection of greatest hits like To Hell With The Devil, Honestly and Calling On You.

Michael Sweet tweeted that they were coming to India with certain amount of excitement. "God bless and see you," he tweeted.

Tickets are being sold like hot cakes for the Kohima and Dimapur shows at Indira Gandhi Stadium and Dimapur District Sports Complex.

The turnout in Kohima is expected to be huge as tickets are almost sold out, according to organiser Chakhroma Spor-ts Association. The tickets are pegged at Rs 1,000 and Rs 500.

The band members have already left for India from Washington DC, according to sources. The concert will also feature local bands Mengu Suokhrie and his group, Clueless Attention and Candence.

Stryper, originally known as Roxx Regime, was formed by brothers Michael and Robert Sweet and guitarist Oz Fox in 1984. Stryper stands for "Salvation Through Redemption Yielding Peace, Encouragement and Righteousness".

The Isaiah 53:5 under their logo is the Bible verse that states "by His stripes we are healed".

The band released its debut mini-album, The Yellow And Black Attack in 1984. Its first full-length release, Soldiers Under Command, sold over half a million units worldwide in the eighties, and stayed on Billboard's Top 200 album chart for over 40 weeks.

Nagaland Students Organize 1st Naga Fest in Delhi

By Shreya Roy Chowdhury

New Delhi, Sep 20 : A batch of students from Nagaland, studying in various Delhi-based universities, decided they wanted to get to know the other Nagas in the city better. And while they were at it, they figured they'd try to help their people back home in Nagaland as well. NagaFest, set to take place at Talkatora Stadium on September 19, was conceived in January.

"Few of us thought, why not?" says Nokho Nekhya, convenor of the organizing committee of the fest which will include music performances, food, clothes and tattoo stalls. "There are 20,000 nagas staying in Delhi. But we never get an opportunity to come together. Also, the ones coming here are the cream of the Naga society.

It is our responsibility to put other before ourselves," says Nekhya, 23, a student till very recently. NagaFest will not end with a fest. The 20-member organizing committee and the 100-odd volunteers it has drawn are going to stay on for other projects. On in the works is a conference on entrepreneurship end of this year or beginning of the next.

Encouraging entrepreneurship among the "indigenous people" of Nagaland is one of the group's long-term plans. "Most people - about 70% of them - in the state depend on the government. We want them to train them to be self-sustained. The conference will be about small-scale industries in rural areas as there are many who have studied by haven't got jobs," says Nekhya.

The group has the support of American organization, Indigenous Foundation. It is paying for the venue of the September fest where about 3,000 people are expected. There are performances by Rewben Mashangva , a folk musician influenced by Bob Dylan and Bob Marley and whose own music is described as "Naga folk blues." Another band playing tradition Naga music with a dash of western elements is Purple Fusion.

The show is being run mainly by students. Volunteers were drawn at smaller functions organized by the Naga Students' Union, Delhi. With the union, explains, Nyekha, there are "tribal unions."

"There are 35 Naga students bodies in the city. We'd go to events organized by them and ask people to contribute. We told them we have to everything without expecting anything in return," she says.

Their efforts have a spiritual aspect to it too. Many responded to the call and the organizers have their programmes and logos designed for free. They met a few days ago and "one gentleman" contributed money so the group could have dinner together.

Nagaland Capitalizes On It's Musical Talent

A musical performance at Nagaland's annual music festival, Hornbill Nagaland is known as a hub of musical talent.

There are songs of love, there are even songs of war here. The rich musical tradition of the state could now become a source of revenue.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced Monday that music would be declared an industry in the state.

"Definitely, there is music in our blood, we have huge potential. Therefore, taking into account the innate talents of Nagas in music, we have decided to make music an industry," Rio said, while inaugurating the Nagaland Music Conservatory (NCM).

The chief minister, however, clarified that the government role would be limited to being a "facilitator", offering support to musicians without "owning" music or pushing only particular genres.

Rio said that music was one arena where Nagas can catch the attention of the world. The chief minister encouraged youths to fully realize their in-born musical talent.

Congratulating the co-founders of the music conservatory - Lipokmar Tzudir and James Swu - Rio termed their dedication to establish a world-class music institute a "giant step" that would propel Naga musicians into the global arena.

The NCM will offer a full-fledged degree course in music, and it will have leading foreign and local musicians on the faculty.

"Our students will come out of the nutshell and compete in the international level", Tzudir said.

"Only dedicated musicians and institutions like the Nagaland Music Conservatory can make music an industry in the state," Rio said, even as he announced a grant of Rs.79 lakh to the new conservatory.

Terming the new music institute a dream come true for not only aspiring musicians but also the state as a whole, the chief minister said the state government would like to enter into partnership with the institute to promote music in this part of the world.

"Music is a multi-billion dollar industry. It is with the perspective of tapping into this that music has been declared an industry," Additional Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir said.

Jamir said that the Nagaland government in its bid to promote music as an industry set up the Music Task Force in 2006. The strategy was initially to popularide music. The Music Task Force has been conducting live road shows around the state.

Jamir said the task force was allotted a budget to offer support to musicians, to enable training, the acquisition of necessary equipment and recording.

"The state government is also supporting a series of initiatives for the development of music, including support for setting up of music institutions. The next step would be setting up high quality recording studios" Jamir said.