‘I met my dad (Isak Chishi Swu) for the first time when I was 15’, said Igato Chishi Swu, the eldest son of the NSCN-IM Chairman late Isak Chishi Swu during an emotional condolence service at Nagaland House, New Delhi on 29 June, 2016. Recounting the early life, Igato said as kids, the children (five sons and a daughter) were scattered at different places and grew up with different families as Swu busy himself with his peace mission. The entire family members had lived together under one roof for only four years, which Igato said was a crucial time as during this time, Swu taught them the principle of life.
The emotional service attended by hundreds of well-wishers saw NSCN-IM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah on the verge of breaking down while narrating his close association with ‘the man of integrity’ for over 40 years. Muivah in his emotional speech gives credit to Swu for the ‘fundamental change’ he brought to the Naga struggle and said, ‘Mr. Isak is a leader who have proved himself in the right time. Our history will be proud.’
In a strong statement the representative of the Sumi tribe summed up the late leader as, ‘the Mahatma of the Nagas’.
While reminiscing the past history, former Mizoram governor Swaraj Kaushal noted in a heavy tone, ‘We should have settled the Naga Issue with Phizo, but we closed our door on him’.
RN Ravi, interlocutor of the peace talk who also paid his homage said Isak Chishi Swu was a visionary and strongly stated that the mission of peace he started should be completed. He also remarked that Swu showed remarkable statesmanship during his peace journey.
The late leader’s only daughter gave a befitting end to the service with an emotional and very personal song. … ‘I guess heaven was needing a hero, somebody just like you, brave enough to stand up for what you believe and follow it through. When I try to make it sense in my mind, the only conclusion I got is, heaven is needing a hero like you. I love you epui.
It was a final farewell for the passing of the man who was both ‘god fearing’ and ‘true to himself’. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
-Jenny Thingshung
Add new comment