The year 2015 was perhaps a year of blessing for all those who live above the cloud short of heaven. For the politically well connected privileged few... a time of thanksgiving for having received their undeserved share of manna droppings from up on high short of heaven; for yet other lesser connected privileged few... perhaps a year of regret for having missed out on all the 'under the table' opportunities on even the crumb droppings from up on high short of heaven. For the average politically unconnected servants in Government ...perhaps a year of helpless frustration sitting at a vantage point and painfully watching convoys of 'shady bucks' go by from a touching distance yet eluding them. But for the lowliest sods of the earth, the clueless majority dwelling in the urban and rural territories short of hell...it was certainly a year of desperate unsolvable whining against the functioning of Mr. Non-Transparent both in the Government of Nagaland and in the Naga National Movement (NNM); It was a year of silently groaning against Mr. Corruption, Mr. Bad Roads, Mr. Backdoor Appointment, Mr. Unpaid Salary, Mr. Unpaid Student's Scholarship, Mr. Public Lynching, Mr. Murder, Mr. Rape and many other similar distinguished royalty club members nonchalantly parading by in style with absolute indifference because Mr. Transparency and Mr. Accountability had been banished from Nagaland. Together we, the Ali Baba descendants, have mostly celebrated the Birth Day of Jesus Christ as members of a Christian Clan without Christian values. Indeed, it must have been a very trying year for the Good Lord having listen to all the loud commanding prayers that must have sounded to Him more like a sever reprimand. Thanks be to God we still do have many truly committed Christians in our miserable midst whose silent devoted prayers would have been the soothing balm neutralising God's wrath. It is the ultimate blessing that we believe in a patient God but must Nagas try His patience to the extent we do?
The year 2015 was however not completely without its share of blessings. The hunt for justice has begun as never before, questioning the unpardonable commissions by the powers that be in the Government system. This little spark of resurgent spirit amongst some of our new generation is clearly visible from the rise of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) being filed in Courts against all the corruptive misdemeanours by the crusading few who believe better days are ahead. Hopefully this spirit will grow exponentially during 2016 amongst the upcoming generation as a game changer to cleanse our sick society to a tolerable degree. It is entirely a different kettle of fish where Naga National Political scenario is concerned. The unscrupulous misconduct of our irresponsible 'opportunity hunting' elected representatives of Nagaland along with other equally opportunistic Apex NGOs guided by fear factor and greed has reduced the Nagas of Nagaland to an irrational, incoherent society without courage or foresight. We, the Nagas of Nagaland, have totally failed to discern the ground reality and succumbed to a "one man's lust" for self perpetuation with vague "National principle" as his argument devoid of any compassion for the helpless masses who have been making backbreaking sacrifices all their lives beyond their callings, just to glorify himself and stamp a historical identity as the father of the nation ... I repeat... just ONE MAN... a highly motivated egocentric human being from 'South of the border' wielding ironclad dictatorship within NSCN (IM) through fear mechanism, now singlehandedly preparing to define the destiny of the Nagas of Nagaland in cold hearted secrecy with cooperation of the GoI who clearly are least bothered about our wellbeing one way or the other. The GoI would be extremely pleased if Nagas can wipe ourselves out from the face of the earth without their help, which we are preparing to do down the road because of one man's insufferable ego and save India the dirty job they have otherwise been itching to do all these years. I do believe with all my heart that Nagas of Nagaland are made of better honourable stuff not to accept this magnitude of irrational insult lying down, being served an unpalatable dish by those who were taught core sentiments of "Nationalism and Patriotism" by the Nagas of Nagaland. 2015 has put this issue of "Non-transparency" in the "Framework Agreement" on a public platform for all right thinking people of Nagaland to truthfully exercise their mind with courage and honour sans fear and speak out. Hopefully this will be a positive beginning towards establishing a saner world for ourselves and our children.
With 2016 now at the door, it is imperative for all honourable Nagas Christians to rally in unison against corruption and unabated taxation that is crippling the common Naga families across the board and denying fair opportunities to our younger generation. If we are unable to unite even for a common cause such as these that hurt us all...then who are we? Is life worth the living? 2016 must see people of Nagaland exercising their sense of justice and demand that Mr. Transparency and Mr. Accountability cut short their foreign vacation and return to Nagaland with full assurance that the people are now ready and willing to lend them a very proactive support. 2016 must also see Mr. Merit being given its rightful pedestal in governance so that meritorious children, even from the poorest families, can get their rightful place in the job market without having to bribe those placed in charge each step of the way. The High Power Committee had submitted a comprehensive damning report to the Government of Nagaland, all based on sworn evidence during its long hearings, highlighting all the cancerous rot in the system both in the overground and underground establishment. The Government has been hatching on it thus far but this report will eventually see the light of day in the public domain during 2016 if the Government does not act on it.
This is an assurance that will be met in course of time. 2016 must see a revitalised Church and its leaders analytically focusing on all the ills of our Christian community, prioritising and addressing each issue that hurts us most...on a war footing. Without dignity and self-respect being inculcated for ourselves by ourselves, expecting and demanding respect from others is a tall unachievable ask.
May the Almighty God guide and bless us with forthright Christian honesty, courage and honour through 2016 to make a difference to our existence. May 2016 be a vibrantly rewarding Happy New Year for us all... Amen.
Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd) Forest Colony, Kohima;
