Neitho Khamo: Earthquake hit Sikkim, and we felt it, extensive damages are being reported in the news, but is our state prepared for such a catastrophe? How prepared is the disaster management. If we take the example of Kohima, we have a 400 bedded public hospital, 8-9 fire tenders, three major hospitals which would be almost full at the moment. I might be wrong on these facts and figures but this is how prepared we might be.
Alex Newmai: I think disaster management(DM) in Nagaland remains only in theory till date. The DM members need to create more awareness campaigns throughout all districts and not focussing only Kohima and Dimapur. In this regard the govt. has to play a proactive role by funding for this awareness. Building more hospitals without appointing more doctors may not bear much fruit. Hence, the govt. needs to create more posts for doctors by taking into account for the future aspect (which needs timely and immediate attention). The govt. and NGOs can also start state level competition for showcasing Disaster Management drills for all ages with prizes. DM journals can be prepared and supplemented along with newspapers every week.
Richard Belho: Unsafe buildings kill people and the very house I live in is unsafe along with 60 % of other buildings in Kohima. Now that brings us to a very debatable issue of how safe are our buildings actually? In a state like ours which is in Earthquake zone 5, we can expect earthquakes upto magnitude 9+. Magnitude is the total energy released during the shifting of plates whereas Intensity is the impact felt on specific locations. So if we get an earthquake of high Intensity, even the safe buildings will be pulled down by landslide because of our poor soil. That leaves us thinking who will be in charge of disaster management. My only advice is build your house lighter. If you can be convinced, I would suggest you look at Bamboo as a feasible material to withstand such a calamity. We have the technology to make it fire retardant.
Peter Rutsa: It’s a small start but, we at Kohima Village are going to start a Quick response team available 24X7. Young men and women will be drawn for the specific purpose of reacting to disaster and emergency's like fire, earthquakes and vigilance. We plan to train them under Red Cross, Fire service and Home guards Etc if possible. The initial number is going to be 40. Will experiment on this and then spread the concept all over Kohima by co-ordinating with the respective colony and ward youth organisations.
Incompetent management of Nagaland House in the metros
Noklen Chizung Jamir: A Naga brother(student) of ours was snubbed when he approached The Nagaland House (Calcutta) for a night stay since his train was delayed. Forget a single room that's beyond measure but not even a bed in the dormitory which is meant for students whose parents slog so hard to provide them with only education. Do u want to know what was the Lame excuse the innocent boy was given – “I'm sorry but then everything is filled up including the Dorms because our minister along with "HIS" officials (yes huzzor) is here and we have to attend to them”. What is wrong with our elected leaders & Officials who take oath to protect us in the name of our Almighty. First of all the main reason for construction of this Nagaland Houses outside our state was for the welfare of students studying out and for the parents who cannot afford staying in hotels, guest house etc in metropolitan cities such as Calcutta and Delhi. We are being deprived of our rights & being ripped not only inside our state but also outside. Wake up my young energetic brothers & sisters is this what you call Nagaland for Christ! There is nothing more powerful then the Voice of Public together in strength & spirit. We shape "Nagaland" not them.
Salo Kinny: I have faced this kind of situation many times when I make a stopover in Kolkata on my way home. Most of the time the dorm is filled to the brim, usually by Naga business men, who land up in Kolkata to shop in bulk. The rooms are never let out, the reason being a student is not entitled to thats what they say but I do know people who despite being student gets rooms because they have inside connection. So most of the times, I am compelled to take up a room in a hotel which leaves a big hole in my pocket.
Rolan Leopona: This Nagaland house people are supposed to help out the students instead of businessmen and politicians who have enough money to afford to stay in hotels! That’s why I think our student unions can a play vital role in ensuring no one suffers this way provided we have a strong leader who isn’t afraid of politicians and willing to stand for our right no matter what!
Alex Newmai: I think disaster management(DM) in Nagaland remains only in theory till date. The DM members need to create more awareness campaigns throughout all districts and not focussing only Kohima and Dimapur. In this regard the govt. has to play a proactive role by funding for this awareness. Building more hospitals without appointing more doctors may not bear much fruit. Hence, the govt. needs to create more posts for doctors by taking into account for the future aspect (which needs timely and immediate attention). The govt. and NGOs can also start state level competition for showcasing Disaster Management drills for all ages with prizes. DM journals can be prepared and supplemented along with newspapers every week.
Richard Belho: Unsafe buildings kill people and the very house I live in is unsafe along with 60 % of other buildings in Kohima. Now that brings us to a very debatable issue of how safe are our buildings actually? In a state like ours which is in Earthquake zone 5, we can expect earthquakes upto magnitude 9+. Magnitude is the total energy released during the shifting of plates whereas Intensity is the impact felt on specific locations. So if we get an earthquake of high Intensity, even the safe buildings will be pulled down by landslide because of our poor soil. That leaves us thinking who will be in charge of disaster management. My only advice is build your house lighter. If you can be convinced, I would suggest you look at Bamboo as a feasible material to withstand such a calamity. We have the technology to make it fire retardant.
Peter Rutsa: It’s a small start but, we at Kohima Village are going to start a Quick response team available 24X7. Young men and women will be drawn for the specific purpose of reacting to disaster and emergency's like fire, earthquakes and vigilance. We plan to train them under Red Cross, Fire service and Home guards Etc if possible. The initial number is going to be 40. Will experiment on this and then spread the concept all over Kohima by co-ordinating with the respective colony and ward youth organisations.
Incompetent management of Nagaland House in the metros
Noklen Chizung Jamir: A Naga brother(student) of ours was snubbed when he approached The Nagaland House (Calcutta) for a night stay since his train was delayed. Forget a single room that's beyond measure but not even a bed in the dormitory which is meant for students whose parents slog so hard to provide them with only education. Do u want to know what was the Lame excuse the innocent boy was given – “I'm sorry but then everything is filled up including the Dorms because our minister along with "HIS" officials (yes huzzor) is here and we have to attend to them”. What is wrong with our elected leaders & Officials who take oath to protect us in the name of our Almighty. First of all the main reason for construction of this Nagaland Houses outside our state was for the welfare of students studying out and for the parents who cannot afford staying in hotels, guest house etc in metropolitan cities such as Calcutta and Delhi. We are being deprived of our rights & being ripped not only inside our state but also outside. Wake up my young energetic brothers & sisters is this what you call Nagaland for Christ! There is nothing more powerful then the Voice of Public together in strength & spirit. We shape "Nagaland" not them.
Salo Kinny: I have faced this kind of situation many times when I make a stopover in Kolkata on my way home. Most of the time the dorm is filled to the brim, usually by Naga business men, who land up in Kolkata to shop in bulk. The rooms are never let out, the reason being a student is not entitled to thats what they say but I do know people who despite being student gets rooms because they have inside connection. So most of the times, I am compelled to take up a room in a hotel which leaves a big hole in my pocket.
Rolan Leopona: This Nagaland house people are supposed to help out the students instead of businessmen and politicians who have enough money to afford to stay in hotels! That’s why I think our student unions can a play vital role in ensuring no one suffers this way provided we have a strong leader who isn’t afraid of politicians and willing to stand for our right no matter what!
The Naga Blog is a forum on facebook where Nagas from Nagaland and around the world network, share ideas and discuss a wide range of topics from politics and philosophy to music and current events in Nagaland and beyond. The blog is not owned by any individual, nor is it affiliated to or associated with any political party or religion. The only movement it hopes to stir is the one raised by the voices of the Nagas every step of the way, amassing perhaps to mass consciousness one day.
(The Naga Blog was created in 2007 by Yanpvuo Kikon. This column in the Morung Express will be a weekly feature every Saturday)
