Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 20
Former Chief Minister of Nagaland and Governor SC Jamir today contrasted the progress in higher learning and education in other societies with that of Nagaland’s fall from grace in the education sector.
Referring to the current hunger strike being undertaken by ‘aggrieved teachers’, the former Governor of Goa and Maharashtra said the blame rests on the Government of Nagaland and not the protestors. The veteran leader was speaking at the Merangkong Students’ Union’s annual sports event in Dimapur today, April 20.
‘...it is not the fault of the agitators but it is the fault of the authority who appointed them’, he said in Ao Naga. The state government should compensate them, he said. However, he reminded that no matter what Nagaland needs nothing less than qualified teachers to teach the children. In many parts of Nagaland there are teachers who are not qualified at all, the Congress leader reminded.
Concerning the standard of education in Nagaland, he said in other states of India, there is so much competition but in Nagaland ‘we have bogus teachers issue’. The former Chief Minister also referred to the ‘Look East policy’ and said that the people are talking about ‘sovereignty’ in Nagaland but Nagas ought to look to this policy and work towards it. ‘Nagaland won’t be the same,’ he said.
Another interesting perspective the veteran leader gave was the ‘culture’ of Naga civil organizations who ‘expect money from chief guests or resource persons.’ He called on the youth to give up the culture of expecting money or gifts from the resource persons or chief guests. Rather, he said, they must expect wisdom and knowledge from them. “Naga kin mesümechiba kin (Naga community, a begging community),” he remarked sadly.
Emphasizing more on it, Jamir said earlier that when he was Chief Minister he had constantly urged the public not to give any gifts to him but the culture of giving gifts and expecting something in return continues.
In regard to overlooking at ones’ mother tongue, he said: ‘...you ought to know that the moment you forget your mother tongue, you’re burying your culture.’ The leader also advised the students to be sincere in their studies and strive for discipline so they can achieve their goals and become persons of use and importance to the society in the future.
