Visakhonü Hibo
The American Presidential Election 2016 was a well fought win. The emphasis is not to analyze the factors engaged nor to glorify or sulk at the result. The best player won. Period. The thrill of seeing both the candidates fight neck to neck on issues and lives laid bare is a matter to be envied. Each tore the other to shreds and bits, as brutally, and as diplomatically, as can be. No clan, no khel, no tribe surged its head. Booth capturing, bashing up one another and presence of multiple rowdy mini-bosses were absent. In all probability, nobody got rich from the US Presidential election the wrong way. Their kind of electing the preferred candidate is a matter that seems strange in our Naga-land thus far.
On gender card, Hillary Clinton said, “Deal me in” but didn’t veer towards the sobbing, begging, self pitying part. Donald Trump and his machine gun mouth hurt many a woman but he did not spell out that the place of women lies specifically within the four walls of the kitchen. Michelle Obama glorified the fact that her fore parents were slaves but that didn’t really matter as everything is weighed on one’s past performance.
How is it going to be for Nagas come 2018? What really lies ahead of us if at all we are to be framed within the framework? Will a semblance of American democracy seep into our election of leaders or will might still rule minus the Rs. 500/- & Rs. 1000/- notes? There are many sleeping giants who can surely excel in public and private life but they only wake momentarily to sleep again. Many young minds write ferociously in Social Media for change but when it is time to change, the old man goes and votes on behalf of everyone. Can our law keepers at least ensure that our vote is ours, and ours alone? May we be proud of ourselves after every election individually, if not collectively?
The Clean Election Campaign needs to be harped on from every church pulpit with, perhaps, members voluntarily pledging from a register kept right outside the worship door. It is not irrelevant when the Nagaland Baptist Church Council can float a “True Love Waits” Pledge; an anti-corruption campaign in a Christian majority State is very relevant. It will be the chicken soup for the soul. Coming back to the American Democrats chant “Always going high when they go low” must also be our mantra to combat low life practices. So also, borrowing from Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’, let us salvage our Naga name and values before we lick the ground, as our heads are bent below our knees.
Innovative clubs, associations and organizations mustn’t bargain innovatively to make money as it spoils our future developments. How amusing and pleasant it will be if some unscrupulous candidates come to buy votes and find no sellers? Let us rise up to the occasion quietly in our hearts and surprise those who come to stain our system. Let us find ways to blend together so that equality, truth and justice prevail in our land. Our jealous hearts that envy others’ openness in everything will be a fulfilled reality in our own Naga land then.
From November 10-December 10, 2016, The Morung Express will feature a series of ‘Guest Editorials’ every Thursday.
