Vikali Shikhu
Unity Village, Dimapur
We all have witnessed the recent agitation in the form of hunger strike at Kohima by ACAUT, PSAN and CTAN under the banner “Public Coordination Committee” (PCC). The PCC sent out a clear message through press release that the Government scrapping all Grade III posts under the purview of NPSC was a serious threat towards achieving dreams and aspirations of educated unemployed youths of Nagaland which was in terms of thousands. What pains me most was seeing just hardly ten volunteers on the altar for the thousands of educated unemployed youths of Nagaland on 15th December 2017.
When the PCC fights for Naga educated unemployed youths, they mean all those who have registered themselves as "unemployed" at the offices of the 11 District Employment Officers across the state. Yes, we do have thousands but where were they on the day when only a handful of them were braving the chilly winter of Kohima on an empty stomach? The point here is, do the so called Naga educated unemployed youth even know their rights? Do they have any union, association or forum to fight for their rights? Hunger strike program was widely published in local dailies as well as across the social media and I'm sure many were waging war of words behind their mobile phones and computers yapping about what and how it should be carried out, giving ‘likes’ and sharing ‘gifs’ without coming out of your homes and taking a stand for yourselves. Do you know that one's destiny is shaped by oneself?
ACAUT fought tooth and nail for PDS scam in the recent past. Its leaders were arrested like criminals for raising a voice on behalf of the poor public. But know what? They haven't tasted a single plate of PDS rice in their lives. ACAUT leaders fought not for themselves but for the reason that the right thing did not reach the right people. Now that the public are getting better access to PDS, do they even realize that it is because of the ACAUT? How many of them turned up as volunteers to face water cannon and tear gas? It really puts me off to hear some ignorant villagers saying supply of rice bags is made available to public these days after Narendra Modi took over as the country's Prime Minister.
We Nagas do not know even how to count our blessings. We cannot empower ourselves by employing ourselves yet we can't join in when others are fighting for us, what are we then? Why don’t we mourn the death of our failures and say RIP to our potentials? Despite our inactivity and laziness, we point our rusted fingers at Government, crucify the politicians, shift responsibility and blame the HoDs and the bureaucrats.
Hello educated youngsters, we still remember your energy during ULB election this year. A total shut down of weeks altogether where many of you played an active role. Sea of people filled the streets to fight women. You insulted the whole educated Naga women, stating that we were born to play our role only in the kitchen but remember, there were two brave women boldly taking part in the hunger strike alongside eight men this time when you wannabes Arnold Schwarzenegger with masculine muscle choose to remain at home like an ailing chicken. Very interesting to watch you guys today being reduced to Sir Rabbit and Sir Mouse when the moment of truth came. What is the point of beating drums and making melody inside the rat hole?
To Facebook brave hearts, how long will you remain useless Bruce Lee? How long will you make noise, shouting your piles out only to show off Ninja skill online? Blogs are mostly polluted with wannabes world cup superstars but not even fit for Paralympics. No miracles, signs and wonders would land on the four walls of your room unless you are Rajnikant.
If you're educated unemployed but not ready to participate in this fight led by PCC, you could be someone who only long for reservation, quota is something you die for, special consideration is what you expect in life, backdoor is your salvation and you build your highway through political access.
I personally appreciate the residents of Phezoucha for extending help to hunger strike volunteers by providing blankets, chairs and firewood as reported in the local media. The PCC was able to add another feather on it's wings that day when the Government agreed to direct NPSC to declare answer keys at all stages of both civil service and technical examinations. By the way, the fight is not yet over, the PCC still insists on 26th October Memorandum and warned that they would resume hunger strike with full intensity if the said order is not revoked by Government. My question here is, will the targeted group join in if the follow-up agitation should come up? It would be pathetic on the part of youngsters to call themselves "Educated Unemployed Youth" when they aren't good for themselves. Knock ! Knock ! it is High time we realize it would be more than shameful to continue to depend on other's hunger, sweat and blood forever.
