Dr. Asangba Tzudir
The “unholy alliance of guns and corruption” was strongly highlighted by Governor of Nagaland R.N. Ravi in his 71st Republic day message, and that it has “taken an unacceptable toll on the Naga people” and called for its elimination in order to fully develop and build a new Nagaland.
Along with the agents at the centre of the ‘unholy alliance’ of ‘guns and corruption’ are various other agents of corruption like politicians, bureaucrats, Church and the Individual/Public within which corruption breeds in varied forms. A recent poll survey conducted by this paper, listed these agents of corruption, or agents of change, sought the opinion as to who must take the onus of responsibility for change process to begin. 31% which was the highest in terms of percentage opined that change process must begin from individual/Public, followed by Church (24%), Bureaucrats (21%) and Politicians (16%).
These agents raise the question of the change process and from where it should begin. The present condition of corruption in its vast avatar is such that corruption has tentacled into every sphere of human activity be it in the level of bureaucracy, politics, Church or the individual/public at large, and calls for a collective responsibility from everyone in whichever sector they are.
Bringing a change might seem like an insurmountable task especially in the present context of the state. However, it is the change approach that matters. Firstly, a change in attitude is called for which would help identify and also make one understand what is to be changed and how a process of change can be brought about. A life of negativity also obstructs change and the present condition has attracted more of negativities.
At the institutional level, very often, people at the helm of affairs while trying to create a change try to bring in wide sweeping changes in the existing structures that have rather become sturdy for so long that it is almost impossible to change. It is easy to find fault in the system when the fault actually lies with the systems operator.
Beyond the statistical interest, for real change to happen or even create a process of change within the sea of corruption, as individuals it is important to firstly shed the attitudinal trend of wearing ten gallon hats and recreate a culture of ‘deserved eating.’ The evil also lies in comparing with others so also trying to live at par with the ‘rest.’ One would wonder how those beautiful communitarian values have given way for selfishness. Corruption has become a habit today inculcated mainly because of human desires and wants and one that looks at easy living.
To eliminate corruption and to build a new Nagaland calls for a change beginning with mindsets and a reaffirmed ‘will’ that seeks to reassert a new Naga identity build on communitarian values that comes through honest sweat.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
