Khiaminlun (Lun)
Bensinle Tep
Dimapur | February 15
As a 50 year old State which still lags behind 50 years, moves through a transitional period, amidst chaos, the people are hungry for quality leadership, which should steer the society into the direction that is progressive and dynamic.
The Morung Express gains insight from the youngest contestant of 5 Ghaspani-II, 35 years Khiaminlun (Lun), an Advocate and Consultant, on the kind of Young Leadership he would represent. He is contesting against Zhaleo Rio of the NPF, Hewoto Awomi of the Congress, and Rokonicha, an independent candidate.
Khaiminlun stated that the present society has seen lines of discrimination and seclusion on the basis of tribalism, which in turn has disturbed the peace among communities. “We need to break the evils of ‘ism’; the voice and need of the people are being suppressed”, he said. On his stand for the State election, he stated that he dared the system the Nagas have gotten themselves tangled in. And therefore he will intervene to offer equal opportunities to all. He said that leaders should be elected based on capabilities and abilities and not based on money power or ‘ism’. As long as money power and ‘ism’ remains the basis of elections, the State will continue to deteriorate further. He asserted determination to go to any length to improve basic issues, like development, welfare schemes, sanitation, education, housing, etc.
Speaking of his visions for his constituency, he opined that since the area has residents belonging to various communities, Ghaspani-II was like a ‘Mini Nagaland’. The problem with the ‘Mini Nagaland’ is that, even though it lies between the Capital city and the Commercial city of the State, the area is completely neglected and remains as backward as it has always been. His main vision for his constituency is to prioritise education and break stereotypes. He further said, “People are fed up of money power and tribalism, and tired of false promises”. He emphasized that people need to learn to survive in harmony and mutual respect. The common bond has always existed, but it needs to be revived by empowering the younger generation so that together, real issues of common needs for common people are addressed. “All these years of statehood, it is such an irony that basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing is still a luxury”, he said.
If the people of Ghaspani-II work for these ideals, it could serve as an example for the rest of Nagaland to follow.
Contesting alongside strong competitors, he said that he is challenging the system. With no motive for personal gains, he is setting an example to break the cycle of money and muscle power. He wants to prove that not only the rich and mighty can address issues. He lamented that people are being lured by various means: money, GI Pipes, automobiles, alcohols, and even subjected to threats. The innocent people are dragged into slavery, like slaves being bought and sold. Such has become the system in Nagaland, where those people, who are supposed to be ‘Leaders’, are the ones showing wrong examples, and the money for development which were denied to the people all this time, are coming back now only during the election. “There are capable leaders out there, but they are afraid to stand against what is wrong, so I will speak out these truths on behalf of those who are afraid to speak”, he stated. Despite allegations and rumours against his ludicrous contest, he said that all a leader needs to do is to be a ‘common man’ and walk with common people. A quality leader does not require money power. He claimed that he can be pictured like ‘David’ against his Goliath contenders.
Khiaminlun’s symbol is a ‘Gas Cylinder’, which stands for clean environment and symbolises that people should not go hungry and should have something to cook in the Kitchen for the next five years. He said that because money cannot buy humility, and unless somebody strives for genuine change, the State will remain the same. He also seeks the support of his people, youth and educated and right thinking leaders to help him and themselves to make Nagaland a better place to live, where elections are fought on real issues and not wealth and power. This will enable the younger generation to grow up in a good and healthy environment. He concluded that he will lead his constituency to a better future for the rest of the State to follow, for tomorrow will too late.
