I apologise for the paucity of posts recently. I have been nose down with several big projects and have just come up for air. I have long wanted to tell the story on substack of Aviü. One of the highlights of my writing career has been to interview Naga veterans of the battle of Kohima. One that I will never forget was Aviü (pronounced Ah-vee). She was the mother of a colleague of mine in the Kohima Educational Trust (the late Lily Das) and the aunt of the Naga writer and historian, Easterine Iralu. It was Easterine who first began capturing the memories of Naga veterans, including Aviü and who introduced me to many of them. Most of the memories garnered here came in the first instance from Easterine, but I sat with Aviü on several occasions as she described her war to me.
A very touching story. Again this story, the whole Naga story needs to be much better known by the general public. A very powerful myth is the Britain alone myth. Poles, Nagas, DUKE forces, the list is almost endless.
Naga Memories of Kohima: Aviü’s Story
A very touching story. Again this story, the whole Naga story needs to be much better known by the general public. A very powerful myth is the Britain alone myth. Poles, Nagas, DUKE forces, the list is almost endless.
How poignant. But what an inspiring story - and what a debt of gratitude we owe the Nagas. Thank you Rob.