Conference : 'Rethinking the Nagas in the Contemporary' at JNU
Date : 20th and 21st March, 2015 at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

Naga Scholars' Association (NSA) and The Hao Research Initiative (THRI) invite the participation of interested individuals at the International Conference on "Rethinking the Nagas in the Contemporary" to be held on 20th and 21st March, 2015 at Convention Centre Auditorium, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The Conference is organised at the backdrop of the current scenario of the Naga society marred by socio-cultural anxiety and uncertain political future.

The present quagmire is spawned by series of contemporary institutional and structural forces which require comprehensive deliberation by scholars and policy experts. The case of the Nagas is not an isolated issue from the globalised-state politics around the world. From the precipitating geo-political boundaries and market structure characterised by the resultant dichotomy of minority nationalities, the world has become a scripted drama of the powerful nations.

Casted by imperialism, annexation, occupation, and market adventurism, the practice of hegemonic state powers over minority nationalities have thrown open to a deeper crisis of relations over lands, culture and identity. Nagas have been subjected to diverse repressive policies of hegemonic state powers. The annexation and Christianization of major Naga inhibited areas by the British and the Americans in the last quarter of the 19th century was followed by involuntary occupation of the Naga areas by the newly formed nation states of India and Myanmar in the first half of 20th century.

Subsequently, the Nagas were segregated by drawing international and state boundaries through the Naga geographical area. It resulted in the administrative segregation of Nagas and construction of Nagas into 'India Nagas' and 'Burma Nagas'. Therefore, in the absence of wholesome political authority for the Nagas, they are left wanting of definite system of their own to define themselves, adjudicate on their own, mobilise their social capital and political resources. Devoid of their political authority, protected social sanctions, codified justice system, independent economic treasury, and regulated single education system, the Nagas continue to live in a muddled ethos and system.

Since the first quarter of 20th century, especially after formation of Naga Club, the Nagas have been consistently engaged in socio-political, economic and intellectual movements to safeguard their heritage, natural and mineral resources, and to ensure their right to live together under one political administration. However, all these processes are yet to bear any agreeable solution.

Against this background, the Conference aims at re-emphasising the Naga identity and their rights in relation to indigenous peoples' rights and minority nationality movement within the context of globalising world, while delineating for plausible political and institutional solution at the earliest.

Key Speakers Include:

Paul pimomo, Washington Central University
Dolly Kikon, Stockholm University
Visier Sanyu, President, Naga Overseas Association
Gam Shimray, Indigenous Knowledge and People, Chiangmai
Felix Padel , Anthropologist, London
N. Venuh, Nagaland University
Xavier P.Mao, North East Hill Univeristy
Subhir Bhaumik, Centre for Studies in International
Relations & Development (CSIRD)
Chuba Ozukum, President, Naga Hoho
Chingmak Chang, President, Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation
Gaidon Kamei, President, United Naga Council
Abeia Meru,President, Naga Mother Association

Yaronsho Ngalung
Co-convener, Organising Commitee

International Conference On
Rethinking the Nagas in the Contemporary

Organised by NSA and THRI

Date : 20 & 21 March 2015
Venue : Convention Centre, JNU

Day One: March 20, 2015
Theme: Situating Globally
9:00- 9:30: Registration
09.30 – 10.30 am: Inaugural Session
Moderator: Walunir Introductory Address: Zuchamo Yanthan, President, NSA
Perspective Paper: Yaronsho Ngalung, President, THRI
Keynote Address: Prof. Paul Pimomo, Central Washington University
Vote of Thanks: Lovitoli Jimo, Conference Organising Secretary

10. 30 – 12. 00 pm: Session One: Contextualising the Naga Identity
Chair: Visier Sanyü Meyasetsu, President, Naga Overseas Association
Speaker: N. Venuh, Nagaland University, Nagaland 'Naga Identity: Understanding from the Political Perspective'
Dolly Kikon, Stockholm University 'Sexual Violence and the Culture of Impunity in Naga Society'
Debapriya Ganguly, Hyderabad University 'The Naga Identity and the Indian State: Negotiations between the Nation and a Region'
Rapporteurs: Pamreihor Khashimwo and Thepfulhoukho Kuotsu

12.00 – 12:15 pm: Tea Break

12.15 – 01.45 pm: Session Two: Indigenous Peoples' Rights

Chair: Tapan Bose, South Asia Forum for Human Rights Ltd (SAFHR)
Speaker: Gam Shimray, Indigenous Knowledge and Peoples (IKAP) 'Indigenous Peoples' Rights and the Struggle of the Naga People'
Feliz Padel, Senior Consultant to the Gujarat Ecological Society 'Upholding Indigenous Identity and Rights in an Age of Rampant Capitalism Society'
Meridinliu Gonmei, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 'Indigenous Peoples Rights: Issue of Displacement of the Indigenous Peoples'
Rapporteurs: Ketholenuo Mepfhü-o and Irwin L Hnamte

1.45 – 2.45 pm: Lunch Break

02.45 – 04.15 pm: Session Three: Minority Nationalism

Chair: Bharat Bhushan, ICSSR, Delhi
Speaker: S A R Gilani, University of Delhi, Delhi 'Minority Nationalism: Contextualising the Nagas'
Vara Vara Rao, Revolutionary Writer, Poet and Journalist 'Lenin and Stalin's Revolutionary Understanding of National Liberation Movement'
Madhumita Das, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 'Thinking Through Self-Determination: Indigenous People's Discourse and Ethno-Territoriality of the Naga National Movement'
Ananda Krishna Raj, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 'National Question of the Nagas and the Principle of Self Determination in International Law'
Rapporteurs: Keneisenuo Solo and Solomon Zingkhai

04:15 – 4:30 pm: Tea Break

4.30 – 06.00 pm: Session Four: Alternative Political Arrangement

Chair: Kamal Mitra Chenoy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Speaker: Subhir Bhaumik, Centre for Studies in International Relations and Development, Kolkota 'Nagas: Search for Alternative Political Arrangements'
R. Vashum, Indra Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi 'Ethno-Nationalism and the Quest for Alternative Political Models'
Samson Chiru, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 'Naga Political Alternative Arrangements and Beyond: A Critical Analogous Relook'
Rapporteurs: Angela Gangmei and YaoreipamMakang

6:00 – 6:15 pm: Tea

Day Two: March 21, 2015

Theme: A Shared Responsibility

10. 00 – 11. 30 am: Session Five: On being Naga

Chair: Rosemary Dzüvichü, Nagaland University
Speaker: Visier Sanyü Meyasetsu, President, Naga Overseas Association 'Rethinking the Naga Future with Nagas in Burma and the Naga Diaspora'
Venusa Tinyi, Hyderabad Central University, Hydrabad 'Towards Constructing Socio-Cultural Foundation of the Nagas: Reinterpreting Self'
Atola Longkumer, Freelance Researcher, Bengaluru 'In the Shadow of the Ancestors: Nagas and Christianity'
Rapporteurs: Kokti Lengtir and Rembomo Odyuo

11.30 – 11.45 am: Tea Break

11.30 – 11.45 am: Tea Break

11.45 – 01.15 pm: Session Six: Problematizing the Challenges of Naga Nationalism

Chair: Paul Pimomo, Central Washington University
Speaker: Xavier Mao, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong
Kekhrie Yhome, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 'Territoriality to Temporality in Naga Nationalism'
Roviso Marza, 'Naga Politics Wounded by Insurgent Circuits: A Taste of India's Huge Democratic Capital'
Rapporteurs: Pouriangthanliu and Khyochano Ovung

01.50 – 02.15 pm: Lunch Break

02.15 – 03.45 pm: Session Seven: Civil Society and the Naga Movement

Chair: Gautam Navlakha, Rights Activist

Speaker: Rosemary Dzüvichü, Nagaland University, Nagaland 'Naga Women, Inclusion, and Equality - Redefining the Naga Future'
Avitoli G Zhimo, University of Delhi, Delhi 'Indigenous system of Governance and its Implication: An Auto-ethnographical Take on Policy, Identity and Gender'
Kaisii Athiko, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 'Media and Movement: Nagas in Virtual World'
Rapporteurs: Caroline Maninee and Theimipei Raleng

03.45- 4.00 pm: Tea break

4.00 – 6.00 pm: Session Eight: Perspectives on Shared Responsibility (Panel Discussion)

Chair: Yaruingam Awungshi, University of Delhi, Delhi

Participants and Organization: Chuba Ozukum, President, Naga Hoho
Chingmak Chang, President, Eastern Nagaland People Organisation
Gaidon Kamei, President, United Naga Council
Abei-ü Meru, President, Naga Mother Association
Neingulo Krome, Naga People's Movements for Human Rights
Khekiye Sema, Advisor Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation
Mmhonlumo Kikon, Member of Legislative Assembly, Nagaland


Vote of Thanks: Thanreingam Muivah, Finance Secretary,
The Hao Research Initiative

Rapporteurs: Ane khieya and Nixon Ngoru

6.00 pm: TEA