Well known peacebuilder working out of Nagaland but with heart in every Northeast State, has initiated a signature campaign appealing for support for the beleaguered people of Myanmar suffering the devastation of a cruel and heartless military coup since February 1 this year. The country’s population is also now facing the ravages of COVID 19 virtually defenceless,
The appeal is signed by 31 prominent personalities from the Northeast as well as another 17 from the rest of India and the world. It is appropriately titled as “Myanmar We Care – We Are With You”.
The full text as well as signatories are as below:
We stand with the people of Myanmar in their struggle for peace, democracy, political freedom, human rights and just economic development. They have decided that they will not accept the military rule and dictatorship under which they have suffered for so long.
They are right to do so. For decades Myanmar, a country of immense natural wealth, has been impoverished by bad governance. Authoritarian rule knows only how to dominate, and does so with lies. Now it is destroying even the meagre democratic gains of the past two decades.
If these gains are to be restored, this will come through people who build trust across the country’s divisions and unite Myanmar’s people, giving the ethnic minorities their rightful role in national affairs. Then a workable democracy can emerge, in which the Tatmadaw returns to the true, honourable role of a national army.
We can all help. We can support those in Myanmar who are active in this struggle. We can send desperately-needed humanitarian support. We can work through our governments, institutions and media to keep the spotlight on Myanmar and persuade the Tatmadaw to heed the people. We can take inspiration from the courage and commitment of Myanmar’s people, and tackle the sources of division in our own countries – the greed and corruption, power-seeking and hatred.
It is not just Myanmar that needs to turn confrontation into cooperation. We need it worldwide if we are to meet the immense global challenges we face. There is no point in just blaming our leaders, even if they are often guided by wrong priorities. We citizens need to take responsibility ourselves, otherwise our children will endure continuing pandemics, immense heat, massive migration, environmental destruction, conflict over resources.
The crises we face will only be overcome if both leaders and citizens accept the new level of responsibility that our imperilled planet demands. As the Dalai Lama has stated, ‘Each of us must learn to work not just for his or her own self, family or nation, but for the benefit of all mankind. Universal responsibility is the real key to human survival.’
As we work to help Myanmar in its hour of need, we are helping create a world fit for our children and grandchildren to grow up in.
Signatories from North-East India
- L Wanglat, former Home and Finance Minister, Arunachal Pradesh
- Jarpum Gamlin, Founding Editor, Eastern Sentinel, Arunachal Pradesh
- Sanjoy Hazarika, commentator and author, Assam
- Udayon Mishra, Professor of English Literature, Dibrugarh University, Assam
- Paresh Malakar, Secretary, Axom Nagarik Samaj, Assam
- Gautam Bordoloi, journalist, Guwahati, Assam
- Dr Sunil Kaul, co-founder ‘the ant’ development organisation working for the health and rights of marginalised communities, Guwahati, Assam
- Jennifer Liang, co-founder ‘the ant’; Chevening Gurukul Scholar at London School of Economics, Guwahati, Assam
- Mrinal Gohain, Assam Citizens Forum, Assam
- Radhabinod Koijam, former Chief Minister of Manipur
- Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director, Human Rights Alert, Manipur
- Prof Amar Yumnam, former Vice-Chancellor, Manipur University; Chair, Humanitarian Sub-Committee for Myanmarese Refugees
- Pradip Phanjoubam, author and Editor, Imphal Review of Arts and Politics, Manipur
- Achan Mungleng, Regional Consultant, Henry Martyn Institute, Ukhrul, Manipur
- Patricia Mukhim, former National Security Advisory Board member; Editor, The Shillong Times, Meghalaya
- Sunny Donkupar Mawiong, social activist, Meghalaya
- R Sangkawia, President, Zo Reunification Organisation, Mizoram
- Denghnuna, IAS (Retd), former Secretary to Government of Mizoram
- L R Sailo, MIS, former Director, Information & Publicity, Gov’t of Mizoram
- Er Levi Rengma, former Deputy Speaker, Legislative Assembly of Nagaland
- Phutoli Shikhu Chingmak, LLB MA (University of London) Human Rights Law & Development; MD, Eleutheros Christian Society, Tuensang, Nagaland
- Dr Akum Longchari, Editor, The Morung Express, Nagaland
- Husazu Epao, educationist, Nagaland
- Charles Chasie, former editor, historian, and author, Nagaland
- Dr Wati Aier, former Principal Oriental Theological Seminary; Convenor, Forum for Naga Reconciliation
- Dr Visier Sanyu Meyasetsu, inaugural Head, History and Archaeology, University of Nagaland
- Gentleson Vashum, social activist, Nagaland
- Nepuni Piku, former Executive Secretary, International Alliance of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests, Nagaland
- Dr P Ngully, Chair, Kohima Educational Trust, Nagaland
- Lipichem Sangtam, journalist and educationist, Nagaland
- Niketu Iralu, social worker for fresh thinking, regional stability and development, Nagaland
Signatories from elsewhere – India and beyond
- H E Son Soubert, Privy Councillor to the King of Cambodia; Deputy Chairman, National Assembly
- Seumas Graham, Duke of Montrose, House of Lords, UK
- Rev Tim Costello, Executive Director, Micah Australia
- Mu Shwe, Karen lawyer, Brisbane, Australia
- Suresh Khatri, of ‘Fiji – I Care!’ initiative for national unity, Suva, FIJI
- Richard Weeks, Co-Founder, Canadian Friends of Myanmar, Canada
- Dr Jehan Perera, Executive Director, National Peace Council, Sri Lanka
- Wimarshana Ranasinghe, Facilitator, Peace Building & Non-violent Communication, Sri Lanka
- Shashika De Silva, Sustainable Farming & Food Supply, Sri Lanka
- Sulari Kumarasiri, undergraduate in law for peace building, human rights and justice, Sri Lanka
- Ms Meena Sharma, President, Institute of Human Rights Communication, Nepal
- Kamal Kandel, founding member, Quick Response Centre, Nepal
- Wangyal Damko, Tibetan refugee, social worker, artist, Himachal Pradesh
- Venerable Bhikkhu Sangasena, founder, Mahabodi International Meditation Centre, Ladakh
- Chuskit Angmo, academic facilitator, Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh
- Dechen Dolker, Program officer, Ashiyana Foundation, social activist, Ladakh
- G Kanato Chophy, author & researcher, Centre NE India Studies, Utkal University, Odisha
6 thoughts on “Peacebuilder Niketu Iralu from Nagaland Initiates Signature Campaign to Extend Solidarity to the People of Myanmar”
I stand for Myanmar in this tines of crisis, I stand for the innocent people.
As a former director of the IofC’s Asian ce nter which has promoted freedom, democracy with care and compassion and a centre which has hosted eminent leaders of peace building including H H the Dalai Lama and many from Myanmar, I strongly support this letter and the just and noble initiative of Mr. Niketu Iralu. The people of Myanmar deserve better than to suffer under dictatorship.
I do join hands with all with people Myanmar. Military age is of the past, people educated to talk and respect differences
This a noble move for peace in Myanmar,and protection of human rights as God s image. I strongly support the move and pray upon as the Lord for his intervention
I support this noble initiative. We should stand with the people of Myanmar.
This is a magnificent statement. We in Britain need to speak to Myanmar with the conviction and vision which this statement expresses.
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