Guwahati: Former Mizoram Chief Minister and Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga delivered a special lecture on his journey from insurgency to peace at Gauhati University on Thursday.
Titled “From Guerrilla Fighter to a Peacemaker”, the lecture was jointly organised by the Institute of North East India Studies (INEIS), Gauhati University, and the Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development (OKDISCD), in collaboration with the Centre for South East Asian Studies.
During the event, Zoramthanga also ceremonially received his bachelor’s degree certificate from Gauhati University.
Speaking on his journey from armed conflict to electoral politics, Zoramthanga said his experiences had underscored the importance of mutual understanding, tolerance and democratic values.
“I express my sincere gratitude to Gauhati University for giving me the opportunity to deliver a lecture on ‘From Guerrilla Fighter to a Peacemaker.’ My life’s journey has been a long voyage from conflict to peace, from insurgency to politics,” he said.
Referring to his book From Guerrilla Fighter to Chief Minister, Zoramthanga said it reflected his experiences and the lessons he had drawn from the journey.
“For peace and development, trust, cooperation, and a mindset of moving forward together among all sections of society are extremely essential,” he said.
Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta, who presided over the event, described Zoramthanga’s political journey as an example of the transition from conflict to democratic politics.
Mahanta said Zoramthanga’s experiences as a leader of the Northeast and his emphasis on peace could offer lessons for younger generations.
The event was attended by MNF senior vice-president and MLA R. Lalthangliana, OKDISCD chairman Subhash Chandra Das, OKDISCD director Saswati Choudhury, Gauhati University Academic Registrar Rajib Handique, besides professors, researchers and students.