Witoubou Newmai
Even as each new day keeps propping up another issue in the Naga society, we may ask whether there is a possibility of a dynamic to help us perceive the varying tides of time clearly. Unless we open eyes to reality, we cannot express appropriately. It is high time for the Nagas to subject this question to the best thinking of the day.
As there is a growing voice on the need to rethink many concepts, even identity, and many outdated truisms overturned, Nagas must also beat with time about jargons and approaches, they employ. Unless one recognizes and accepts the convoluted reality of today’s world and act accordingly, one is only asking for more burdens.
We need to open our eyes to reality. Opening eyes to reality is also an index of a progressive society. However, since we are structurally already there where it was designed for us, unless we really try honestly to see the realities, we will continue to be within Cavafy’s walls.
In poem ‘Walls’ Constantine Peter Cavafy wrote:
"Without consideration,
without pity, without shame
they have built great and high walls around me.
And now I sit here and despair.
I think of nothing else: this fate gnaws at my mind;
for I had many things to do outside.
Ah why did I not pay attention when they were building the walls.
But I never heard any noise or sound of builders.
Imperceptibly they shut me from the outside world".
In our situation, Cavafy’s walls are still being built.
If we refuse to see the reality, we will continue to be naïve participants in building those walls which cage us.
It is time to 'deconstruct' the Cavafy’s walls in innovative ways. We still have the “capacity to respond to change” in style. We must also take note that the over-employment and over-indulgence in ‘eisegesis’ have been perpetual problem in our society. As such, to correctly interpret or express appropriately about the issues and situations confronting Naga society has become a necessity indulgence.
