Concept Note On The Third (3rd) World Zomi Convention

Lamka : 5th October 2013:

3rd World Zomi Convention organisers at Zomi Council, General Headquarters, Lamka on 05 October 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

To pursue tribal development the great visionary, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India opined that

"(i) people should develop along the lines of their own genius and we should avoid imposing anything on them,
(ii) tribal rights in land and forests should be respected,
(iii) we should try to train and build up a team of their own people to do the work of administration and development,
(iv) we should not over administer these areas to overwhelm them with a multicity of schemes, we should rather work through, and not in rivalry to their own social and cultural institutions,
(v) we should judge results, not by statistics of the amount of money spent, but by the quality of human character that is evolved... it is obvious that these areas have to progress.
But it is equally obvious that they have to progress in their own way... we have to make them progress, but progress does not mean just an attempt to duplicate what we have got in any part of India...
Any element of imposition has to be absent as far as possible..."
[in 'yohana', 16-31 August, 1082, p.52].

But, to this day, what all cold witness is that these words have vanished into thin air and rather 'imposition' became the yoke of this once independence and contented indigenous Zo People or Zomi.

While not only the masses, even the majority of the elites were still in utter darkness about the modern nation-state systems a handful of Zomi or 'Zo People', who were faintly aware and conscious about the modern political administration tried their hands to attain an separate Zo ethnic-nation since the 1930s. But, it bore no tasteful fruit however, its spirit persists. In fact, the ethno-geo-political movement came to a halt at the time of the departure of the British colonialists as the majority of the influential elites were then easily convinced by the shrewd diplomacy of their neighbours. Sadly, as a result, their territory was dissected and pocketed by the newly established Third World nation-states: India, Burma and Bangladesh. Since then three varied 'nationalities' have been imposed upon this indigenous people.

Even though some of Zo population are gradually embraced or assimilated and lived oblivion into the mainstream of the nation-states and have lost their identity and culture, resurrect political movement emerged in the post- British period - to reunite and bring the already dissected people and their territory 'under on administration in the spirit of the Chin- Lushai Conference, 1892' www.zogam.org.organisation.reasons.

As a result, by the end part of 20th Century CE their incessant struggle brought them glimpse of hope, which was witnessed during the 1st World Zomi Convention held at Champhai, Mizoram (India) from May 19-21, 1988; and the 2nd Convention at Vanapa Hall, Aizawl, Mizoram from June 17-18, 1991. Besides, decades of the tireless efforts of patriotic socio-political leaders and armed-revolutionaries have drawn the attention of the think-tanks of both the governments of Myanmar and India by the dawn of the 21st Century CE though a geo-political dialogue is yet to be translated into practical.

Yet, enough to hamper the process of bringing about stronger bond, it appears that the three international boundaries that segmented their ancestral territory continued to generate a socio-geographical alienation and contrasting political ideologies among themselves. Equally, with the advancement of science and technology the Zo People have undergone great social changes which have been far-reaching and overwhelming. Educated young and old Zo People in their zeal and greed for economic survival and moreover, to rise up and place themselves on the higher echelon gradually made them conscious of 'individuality' resulting to undermining the age-old 'khahkhua' [etiquette, propriety or all virtues of life] and 'Tawmngaihna' [altruism], which were the core of Zo identity and culture and surprisingly, quite conform to the doctrines of their new found faith 'Christianity'.

Thus, to some extent, these trends are responsible for the dwindling of the spirits of honesty, dignity, oneness or solidarity and whatnot among the Zomis which are indispensable requisites to mobilize a stronger ethno-geo- socio-political crusade. Strictly, it would not be the best decision to either condemn or justify everything that is new, foreign or old. Whereas certain outmoded socio-cultural structures, ways, customs and habits must be relegated others which are constructive, sound and especially those that are relevant and suited the Zomi ethos ought to be retained. Also, some might have viewed that slightly divergent dialects and languages as a stumbling block in the process of 'total- reunification' but it is the spirit of individuality and clannishness!

Trivial diversities are not the question, but consciousness of one's identity, culture and the undying love for one's pathetic fatherland. While the present reunification keeps wheeling on, 'individualistic' culture should be checked and redressed lest it slowed down the process of constructing a stronger reunification. Rather there should be equal and spacious room to accommodate each tribe or clan. Indeed, geographical boundaries and distances; opposing ideologies and, slim diversities of cultures and dialects should not be allowed to break the tie of blood!

It is, therefore, felt imperative to convene another convention to discuss these internal social and cultural problems and issues so as to find out better directions [either from theological approach or socio-cultural reconstruction/review, or from both] to strengthen the on-going geo-political reunification of the Zomis. Eyeing these issues the Zomi Council, General Headquarters is obliged to convene the 3rd World Zomi Convention from 25th-27th October, 2013 at Lamka, Manipur, India in pursuing of its Assembly Resolution No. 8, dated 23rd April 2013 held at Lamka, Manipur, North East India (India).

WORLD ZOMI CONVENTION

...marching on...

See a photo gallery on this meeting with media here