Ukhrul: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has said that Lui-Ngai-Ni, the traditional seed-sowing festival, represents unity, peace and a shared identity among the Naga community.
Addressing the gathering at the Lui-Ngai-Ni celebration held at Ukhrul Headquarters Ground in Manipur on Sunday, Rio said his presence was not merely ceremonial but a gesture of solidarity, carrying the prayers and goodwill of the people of Nagaland.
He described the festival as more than a seasonal ritual, calling it a reaffirmation of collective identity. According to him, the occasion offers an opportunity to honour ancestors, strengthen relationships and pray for a bountiful harvest.
“Our festivals are expressions of gratitude, but they also teach us important values,” Rio said, adding that true progress can only be achieved through unity and faith.
Highlighting the roles within Naga society, he said elders serve as custodians of wisdom, women preserve culture and family traditions, and the youth represent the future, carrying forward both agricultural responsibilities and leadership.
Referring to the recent merger of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Rio said the coming together of like-minded political groups was undertaken in the spirit of unity. He thanked party leaders and supporters for strengthening cohesion among the Nagas and expressed hope that such unity would inspire other political organisations.
The chief minister reiterated that the Naga political issue remains unresolved and requires dialogue at the highest level. He referred to various resolutions adopted over the years as well as agreements signed in 2015 and 2017, noting that while a final settlement is yet to be reached, the peace process continues.
He mentioned the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015, between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) to address the longstanding Naga political issue. The agreement followed more than 80 rounds of negotiations over 18 years, beginning with a ceasefire in 1997 after decades of insurgency that began soon after India’s Independence.
In addition to the Framework Agreement, the Centre also signed an “Agreed Position” in December 2017 with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), a conglomerate of seven organisations.
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Expressing satisfaction at participating in the celebration, Rio said festivals like Lui-Ngai-Ni reinforce bonds within the Naga family and promote peace and harmony across communities.
Lui-Ngai-Ni is observed by Naga tribes around the onset of spring, marking an auspicious period for the sowing of seeds and the beginning of the agricultural season.
