A. Kaisii
The advancement of science and technology is enormous and its impact is being felt almost on daily basis close to your door. Neither a slave nor wealthy person or black and white can freed from this wave, unless on one’s own volition chooses to differ. As a result, the world is appeared to shrink day by day. The understanding and perception of the people is also undergoing rapid change. Not to set behind the trend, the Naga national leaders are putting their best to concretize and systematize the movement, so that there will be no perceptible lacking, which may hampers the process. They, the Nagas and the younger generation in particular, can no longer remain complacent with the success that the leaders have toiled with tear and bloods. Time has come for the younger generation to raise its voice with patience and proper understanding. The leaders will not be here for ever. They need to grab the fortune with utmost care that the leaders have pioneered with great courage and hardship. In passion to reach the ultimate goal of being respectable and honour citizens of the world to live in their own term and condition, they need to clinch on the footstep of the leaders to reach higher.
Not long ago, the Nagas are living in headhunting and raid was common practiced. Until the coming of Christianity, which ensures future hope and meaning to their religious life, this was the situation of the Nagas and the world hardly knows them. They are living in their own world. The greatest message of Christianity is forgiveness. In true spirit of forgive and reconciliation, the Nagas need to grow from strength to strength in their endeavour of becoming to live in their own term and condition. Otherwise, malicious campaign and vengeful attitude of whatsoever, will not bring any good to organizations/societies. Vindictive method is needed to replace with self-healing and discarding of egoism. No amount of redemption can save the Naga society, until they themselves, and particularly, those who are in vanguard surrender their constricted interests for the sake of the national interest. Ultimately, it is for the Nagas to decide whether to remain a minority thereby becoming the subjects of someone or to be master of themselves. For any fruitful and lasting solution, it is imperative for the Nagas to conceive an unwavering and decisive approach. As long as the decision is shallow, there is always a scope for the perpetrators to take advantage of the situation in their favour. To be secured from any forces that may potentially harmful to their noble cause, the Nagas have to steadfastly hold onto, whatever the challenges may be.
Against this backdrop, the election (9th General Assembly Election, Manipur) round the corner is needed to looks at. It would be foolish for every rational person to ignore the significance of this election. Election may come and goes but the context and circumstances at which this election is going to be held need to digest in right perspective. As noted, no authority on earth can decide for the Nagas, they have to decide for themselves. It is no longer a time to wait for the miracle to happen. All these years the so-call people representatives are keep saying that they are doing and will do for the interest of the people but precious little have done. The public can no longer afford to tolerate with such ornamental and captivating promises election after elections. The stage of talking and making promises is over. It is now the time to act. The public should give an appropriate reward to those so-call people representatives, who continue to dance at the tune of their oppressors. How long shall the Naga people to allow these impish individuals to fatten their pockets, while enjoying at the cost of the oppressed and enslaved fellow-beings. Decide now for better tomorrow. Those individuals who by birth are Nagas, but could not represent the community to which they belonged in the way they should have been, the sooner, it is better for them to gracefully step down. They should get a chance to experience the reality while living among the common people - who are suffering every moment of their lives either in the form of psychological, physical or mental – rather than having good time with the oppressors in bungalow and castles. Until one taste the real music what is all about oppression, s/he will not understand its actual implication. It is still never too late for anyone to start altogether a new, if one really has concerned for the people. The door is open for everybody to contribute for the betterment of the society. Their contribution will be highly appreciated, only if, they mend their approach and perspective, on the question that the Nagas are struggling to live on their own term and condition.
On the whole, the people have to be cautious on the derisive plot/scheme that the power-hunger and self-centre will continue to entice them. The people need to seriously take note of the fact that material benefits and money cannot secure the destiny of the coming generation, whose fate is hanging in balance. First, the future of the younger generation needs to be secured from the clutches of the neo-colonial masters. The public need to muster enough courage to face the challenge. As far as possible, understanding should build up to have adequate and forceful team to represent unitedly and inclusively. In the process, it is obvious that certain hiccups are bound to exist since we are all different. However, this shouldn’t belittle the cause but need to consider it as a sign of maturity. This may be a challenge that the Nagas need to ponder while arming those who are slow to grasp and by not exasperate them.
