Kevi Meru
Would you like to go back in time and have dinner with the real Attila the Hun? I would in a heart beat, but the closest I can get to Attila is watch a Hollywood version of his story, or read an eyewitness account of someone who dined with him in person. I have done both. Of the several books that I brought with me in my journey back to Nagaland, I selected one that is a collection of ‘Eyewitness Accounts to History” (published by Harvard University Press). In it a delegate from Constantinople by the name Priscus narrated his dinner of a lifetime with Attila the Hun. But that’s all I have to say about it (Sorry, my purpose here is not to entertain you further with the juicy details).
I am a full-blooded Naga and a quintessential Kohiman. Having been privileged to study and work abroad in two long stretches (1984-89 and 1993-2009), I think my impression of Nagaland might offer a slightly different take from others who may not have lived abroad as long as I did. My wife would at times notice and bring to my attention the phrase ‘my people’ when on occasions I refer to Nagas in that way. And yes, cliché it may be, even though I may be away from Nagaland there is no way the Nagaland in me can be taken away.
I love Nagas and I love Nagaland. I have just returned (last week of June) from a 16-year exile and I am inspired to share an ‘eyewitness account’. I hope readers will receive my opinions in a generous spirit because I am writing from a genuine heart.
I am aware that Nagaland is beginning to get a tiny slice of the global village as foreigners come to our State though friends, as tourists, or to celebrate Hornbill Festival. This may increase over the years. Only after I went out of Nagaland to a foreign country and returned, I noticed our roads are really narrow. Again, this time around, I cannot help but notice the pitiful condition of our main highway between Dimapur and Kohima. I’m sure tourists too notice the same right away, but too polite to tell us so.
Though it never materialized under him, I’m glad Vajpayee raised the need for the now much talked about (and desperately hoping for speedy fruition) four-lane highway. And why not! This should be a top priority among Nagas, specially those who are wielding both the power and the purse. How can we remain complacent when the main highway between the State Capital and the Commercial Capital of Nagaland lie in perpetual disgrace or eyesore? Not to mention of the shortening of vehicle life and the involuntary exercises from all the bumps and potholes and narrow misses. How I wish our Government sahibs and political babus would come together on this four-lane development without thinking of ungodly profit for themselves, just for the love of Nagaland. Just for the pride of Nagaland. (I’m dreaming). In Kuknalim.com (no longer in operation) I remember naming National Highway 39 within Nagaland as “Phizo Highway.” (Let Meiteis name their portion as Gambir Singh Highway or whatever).
Nagaland is beautiful. No doubt about it. I wish for Nagaland to be appreciated and recognized for its own sake and in its own right, and that is the reason I don’t wish for Nagaland to be referred as ‘Switzerland of the East.’ Please take pride in Nagaland as a gift from God and stop comparing it with any other. (And I don’t wish for Shillong to be referred as ‘Scotland of the East’, but that’s another story).
Recently I stayed overnight in Kolkota. The ride from and to the airport by taxi was quite a challenging experience --- the dust, the unique odor, and the heart stopping traffic chaos and daring negotiations for space. In my lifetime will I witness an orderly Nagaland or will the rich and powerful simply don’t care so long as they can drive fancy cars and live in another planet (lavish homes) at the end of the day? I say this because it is in the hands of the rich and powerful to make this highway a reality and a pride of Nagaland --- the powerful can decide not to take hefty cuts to release the project funding and the rich (contractor) can develop it as a labor of love for Nagaland (quality roads, not ungodly profits at the expense of quality workmanship). To borrow a line from Jeremiah, as I lament Phizo Highway on life support (medical jargon): “Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?”
The pathetic road condition has become the fly in the ointment for our beautiful Nagaland. The Catholic has a doctrine called ‘perpetual virginity’. Are roads in Nagaland destined to be pitiful in perpetuity? I hope not. Perpetual potholes is not a doctrine set in stone, so let’s take pride in Nagaland and do something about our roads. Is anybody listening?
I wish to make another comment concerning the three mills in operation in Nagaland: Paper Mill, Sugar Mill, and Degree Mill. Of the first two, I think the master found them barren (Luke 13:6-9) and has applied the axe (Matthew 3:10). Sad that Nagaland has not benefited from them, but sadder still is that the custodians will frightfully stand before God and give account (Romans 14:12).
As for the Degree Mill it seems to be doing well by the way it has been advertised in a hip magazine. Though a PH.D can only be earned and not conferred in an honorary manner, the mill seems to be doing just that. (An honorary doctorate can be given to an outstanding person from a prestigious or legitimate institution). That says something about the profitable mill preying upon those Nagas who have a particular itch for a fancy title to go with their names. During His earthly ministry Jesus had a controversy with some Pharisees who are long on public show but short on integrity. This Degree Mill will wilt and die in Nagaland if conscientious Christians decry and refuse to buy its products. But I’m not very confident this will happen because in every society there are always those who love shortcuts and will look for them with eagerness. Brace yourself to find more Nagas with fancy titles freshly manufactured from the Degree Mill. And learn to live with it. Let Jesus separate the chaff from the wheat at a time of His choosing.
God bless my Nagaland --- and may the fly in the ointment find a remedy.
