B Henshet Phom
Some years back, a prominent scholar from North East India commented that the “state planners of the north eastern states just dance at the drum of the New Delhi”. Similarly, some of the social critiques of India also remarked that “in India plans and policies for rural development are framed in Five Stars Hotel”. These kind of remarks clearly portray the reality of the social scenario of India, of which we have also become a part.
The above mentioned remarks also make us to understand the fact that we have an irrelevant system of governance. It is not wrong that we are all compelled to jump and dance at others’ tune. No matter how best the policies and programmes our state government would take to the Center, if it is rejected, then it remains rejected. Our politics are forced to be influenced so much by the mainstream politics. Even in social living we are so much influenced by the dominant culture.
It is time that the Nagas realize our true selves. We must start a conscientious living. We must not loss our originality while trying to learn from others. It is observed that Nagas are quick to copy from others, but fail to understand the substance of the matter. We must be conscientious in thought and action.
For example, it is seen that Naga people are very fond of using the dictum, “Forgive and Forget”. But we need to have a second thought on this statement. My question is, can we forget things ? Yes, human being may forgive others for the wrong done to us, but can we forget it ? We may try not to think of it, but we cannot forget it. Thus, to me this statement sounds beautiful but not realistic.
Similarly, it is observed that the popular statement of Aristotle; “Man is a social animal” is not an exclusive truth. Because man alone is not a social animal. Man may be called a rational or cultured animal, but apart from man those from animal kingdom and insect world like wolves, elephants, boars, bees, ants etc too live in society.
As such, we cannot keep on harping- Forgive and forget, man is a social animal etc. etc in every social gathering. We must not speak anything just because others are speaking. We must first understand the basic truth or substance of the matter before we adopt it into our parlance.
Now on the more practical issues; Nagas love to speak of Dignity of Labour in many of our youth gathering. Some of us interpret the term as hard working and are seen encouraging our youngsters to take up the job of cobbler, porter (modia), tailor, barber etc. But have we talked about enhancing their wages too ? Here lies the point whether they will take up the job or not. If we do not raise the wage, even if they take up the job, they cannot do it with pride. Hence only when we increase the wage to the job will the Dignity in the Labour arise.
Therefore, we must realize that dignity of labour embraces more than hard working. It also includes selecting the job based on one’s talent, innovating the profession, doing the job with pride and more importantly, getting the right wage for the job.
In some western countries the salary of a carpenter is higher than that of a Lecturer. And the charge a hair cut is equivalent to Rs.1600 of the Indian currency. Many beautiful young people joyfully drive aged people in wheel chairs from old age homes for evening air in the street. They are doing these jobs with dignity and pride, because they are well paid. A look at this kind of system makes us to have a re-look at our own system. Just like the wise decision of the DAN government in passing a bill on money lending, a proper regulation on the payment of salary and wages suited to our own situation need to be passed.
Wealth of our state should be justly distributed. We must not make it the fate of Nagaland to be a state, where few people enjoy maximum from our common wealth, when majority suffers. It is urgently felt that “Right to Work” must be made a Fundamental right. Government should be made responsible to give employment to our youth, be it in government or private sector. It should be made the right of our young people to demand compensation if the government fails to give them proper employment facility. Because we are all citizens of the same state with equal rights and obligations.
And in the next plane, one problem which everyone talk with great concern in Nagaland is the issue of illegal immigrants. In many of the remote district headquarters and sub-division of Nagaland, 80% of the shops are owned by those immigrants. Consequently, all the money of the local people are drained into the wealth house of the outsiders. And it is observed that their sole motive is to extract maximum profit at the expense of the innocent customers. I see no sense of social concern in many of their attitudes and mentality .
I am of the opinion that even the system of issuing Inner Line Permit (ILP) need standardization. Along with ILP, a kind of work permit with proper professional tax system need to be introduced. If certain percentage of income (professional) tax is levied from their income, then government too get its (our) due share out of their earning in our land. And if they do not agree to abide by the procedure then the ILP must not be issued to them. As such if a proper system is regulated, then the problem of immigration may also be turned into a boon.
One reason why our land is in turmoil is because of the irrelevant system of government imposed upon us. The other reason may be the failure on the part of the Nagas to grasp the crux of the issue. If only we understand the sunbstance of the matter, then the solution to many of our socio-economic or political problems is just within us. And my strong assertion is that whether Nagas live within or without India, Nagas must have a system of government suited to their own life situation. And I believe, India will allow it if they truly love and care for Nagaland.
The problems I have highlighted are not exhaustive, but just a lid opener to our mountains of problems. And the solution I have shared is not final but just a provocation of our thought to lead us to seek the right solution to our problems.
