Aoyemen Chang
Our forefathers were called savages by the outside world. Yes, they were savages for they lived in isolation for many centuries but there was a code of conduct which was Honourable and their noble character was never questioned. As such, even the civilized world which came into contact with them had words of praise for their nobility and integrity. For they knew no deceit, no jealousy, no greed for power but were content to live their lives as per the general code of conduct; settling minor and major issues as per the unwritten law and code of conduct.
But today, we are called civilized as the modern way of life intruded into our midst. But forgetting and forsaking all the age old values and nobility and character we have turned ourselves into civilized beasts. The facade of civilized character is just a mask but inside it we have turned ourselves into the most abominable beasts.
The value of human life has become so cheap that morality is forsaken. And for a piece of land, for a morsel of food and for a paisa we are ready to take the lives of our fellow human beings without justification but on the pretext of being on the other side of the fence. Without ascertaining the facts but for being a defenseless human being; gun toting men and women in the name of nationalism have killed many promising and innocent lives. And this is what we called civilization, our forefathers had no written law but their code of conduct was Honourable. Now we have written laws to safeguard and protect but it is treated with scant respect. When innocent lives are massacred, when good leaders’ lives are snuffed out for being on either side of the camp or on mere suspicion, how can one sanely justify it as a great cause or as Nationalism?
Isn’t it time the Naga leaders, the Church leaders and intellectuals take stock of the situation and the environment we are in? Is this kind of environment that you as leaders wish for your children and the future generation? If you keep quiet now, if you become a tool of others without analyzing the course of history then the future generation will spit and curse on your graves. When you can’t stand up for what is right then you are not fit to be a leader; when you turn a blind eye to the injustice meted out on the innocent public you are equally responsible for the act of injustices. Where is our conscience at this hour of peril or are we immune to the happenings around us? I cry with anguish and helplessness on seeing the inhuman beastly acts committed by our brothers on their fellow Nagas in the garb of Nationalism.
If this is Naga Nationalism, I don’t want this kind of Naga Nationalism and Naga Nation where anyone with gun has the license to kill his own brothers and sisters. What I foresee is a Nagaland or Nagalim, whatever. Where there is complete peace, prosperity: where the rule of law reigns supreme; where rational and sane counsel prevails; where there is no tribalism but all Nagas bonded together with a common language, common culture, common outlook and common goal. This is the Nagaland we could achieve if we forsake violence and pursue our lofty goals through non-violent means.
SCHOOL DROP-OUTS: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND REMEDIAL STEPS
The people of the North East Frontier Area, Tuensang Division, presently divided into four districts namely Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire, remained isolated from the rest of the human race (Society) upto 1948. It was only in the year 1948 a year after India attained her independence, Tuensang people came into contact with the outside world. On that year Tuensang was made a division of North East Frontier Area and in the year 1957 Naga Hills of Assam and Manipur merged with it to become the Naga Hills Tuensang Area. When the people were about to assimilate to the nuances of the society that was quite alien to their traditional way of life (custom) there arose a great upheaval in the form of Naga Nationalistic movement. And Tuensang district being never under the rule of any nation on this earth since time immemorial was made the hub of that great movement of the Naga People. This great movement greatly hindered and hampered in the process of assimilation as Tuensang Area became the nerve centre of the movement. The fledgling schools and education were made to close and the students were compelled to abandon their studies. As such, the people of Tuensang still remain socially, economically and educationally far behind the rest of the Naga Society.
It can be gauged from the fact that Phek district – another so-called backward district – which has a population of 148246 has more than 70 percent literacy rate while the Eastern Nagas has a literacy rate of 50.5 percent. Due to the low literacy rate, poor economic condition, social backwardness of the society and the callous attitude of the education department and the Government, the sizable chunk of the society, the youngsters who comprises more than 60% of the population, have been left floundering and disorganized. Some due to poor economic conditions, some due to social backwardness, and some due to the illiteracy of the parents. As such, drop out rate has risen to disproportionate magnitude which is a cause for grave concern. The school drop outs have no interest in their parents’ traditional occupation and at the same time have no other alternative means to earn their livelihood. Hence, this section has become a burden and a liability to the society.
Due to the high drop out rates and due to the aimlessness and purposelessness, in order to escape from the reality of life many of them have been lured to addictive substances like drugs and alcohol and other anti-social activities which has in its turn led to the prevalence of HIV / AIDS disease and other undesirable anti-social activities in the society. They have become the most vulnerable section of the society which has been posing a grave danger to the future of the society.
Unless drastic and remedial steps are taken on a war footing in a mission mode the future looks grim and bleak. As such, to give them a hope and a better future concrete and pragmatic step needs to be taken. The people of these four districts are known for their artistic talent and craftsmanship which if not superior is at par with the best. And the large tracts of forest and land resources and also some of the unexplored assets could be taken into account and utilized to chalk out rehabilitation programme for the school drop-outs in order to turn them from liability to assets as they are in the most productive age group of the society.
Some of the steps that could be suggested for implementation are:
90% of the families are engaged in farming and farm related activities for their livelihood. As such, the school drop-out youngsters be given training on scientific method of farming and animal rearing.
They should also be given training on traditional industries such as handicrafts and weaving with the application of the latest technology so that the products would find ready market.
Capacity building measures like conducting of entrepreneurship training in order to prepare them for entrepreneurial activities.
Exposure Programme to other places also needs to be taken up in order to broaden and enlighten their minds.
Access to easy availability of financial resources in the form of grants in aid, loan facility, needs to be explored for which special package should be prepared by the deptt of development of under developed areas and other concerned departments.
Also, informal education to re-orient their learning capacities needs to be conducted.
Last, but not the least, parents are illiterate hence mass campaign to educate the illiterate parents needs to be taken up. These are some of the few humble suggestions laid down before the framers and planners for their expert views and consideration in order to wean away the school drop-outs from being doomed to destruction.
The writer is Advisor, Chang Students Union, Tuensang Town
