Vikrino Kuotsu
What is potential? Take a look around you. It is probably staring at you. Nature itself gives us examples of potentials. The marigold seeds breathing underneath the dirt, the chrysalis dancing in the wind, all symbols of growth and change, embodying the “power to become”. Nagaland, our home nestled among hills too holds the inherent power to become. This to me is potential. The power to become what you may ask. Well, a multitude of things. Let us dissect this question and study the anatomy of Nagaland’s potentials.
Nagaland has the power to:
• Unearth the gift of our soil: It goes without saying that the soil of our state is rich. If we unwrap this gift we see a wide range of opportunities. With our economy being mostly agrarian, it goes without saying that farming is an essential sector. A variety of crops can be grown in our lands. From the king chillies of Jalukie to the abode of apples -Thanamir, we are capable of sourcing quality produce that are at par with international standards. Further scope exists of commercialization and streamlining of farm to market.
• Kindle the entrepreneurial flame: There has been an upsurge of entrepreneurs from Nagaland in the recent years. Ranging from food, (The Rumbling Spoons), education (NagaEd), fashion (Liying), logistics (Mok Express) and more; enterprises have been observing an upward trend. Local enterprises are needed to cater to local needs and demands. Nagaland needs Naga-preneurs.
• Look beyond Hornbill festival: The hornbill festival has put Nagaland on the map, attracting tourists every year. However, what is Nagaland beyond this festival? It is the untouched valleys and hidden gems. It is the sheep farm in Poilwa that transports you to a European countryside. It is the crisp air and the rolling greens of Dzükou and the vast expanse of cosmos flowers in Kapomodzü peak. There is so much scope for eco-tourism if one taps into it. If one dares to explore.
• Uplift creative expressions: Music and Naga culture go hand in hand. The wind in the hills carries the songs sung in fields, the earth feels the thumping of feet in unison. Our land has seen songs and dances intricately woven into our culture since time memorial. Maybe this is why art is so innate in Nagas, be it music, dance, photography, writing and more. Notable personalities that have taken their art to a larger audience include The Tetseo Sisters with their resounding folk songs and Easterine Kire, capturing the beauty of Nagaland in ink. We can share our culture to the world through art while simultaneously embrace the world.
• Connect threads of potential: I believe the biggest potential of Nagaland; its greatest resource is its people. It lies in anybody willing to make a difference. It lies in the sixteen-year-old girl studying under the glow of a half-burnt candle, in the boy and his guitar figuring out the chords to an original song, in the mother, shoulders slouched weaving while humming an old hymn. It is in the teenage boy playing football in his yard, hoping to make it to the national team one day, in the village folk making their way to their fields as soon as the sun rays diffuse through the clouds. After all, the people are the common thread running through all aspects of potentials mentioned before. It builds the very seam of potential, holding together the fabric of progress.
In every road that seemingly stretches towards the horizon there are unseen bends, curves and obstacles. Similarly, these potentials are accompanied with constraints.
• Agriculture: The constraints to this sector are manifold. There is a lack of marketing channels to reach target consumers and potential markets outside the state. Lack of mechanization, rugged terrain and poor connectivity also add to the woes. Priority should be given to tackle these problems.
• Enterprises: Enterprises need capital to start. The Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) and its various schemes (For Example-Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises) can be of help. Moreover, skill development training needs wider reach especially to the rural population along with thorough study of the market.
• Tourism: Tourism is held back by many problems- Resource allocation, infrastructural liabilities, connectivity and more. Eco tourism or nature-oriented tourism can be the way to go to promote tourist sites while ensuring sustainability of biodiversity and the local people.
• Human resource: Identifying, scouting and honing of raw talent can be considered. Expanding connectivity to bring focus to Nagaland’s talent pool while providing adequate platforms are necessary. In the case of arts, Task Force of Music and Arts has made huge strides of progress in this regard. But maybe we are ready to sprint.
In the words of Charles Bukowski, “I was waiting for something extraordinary to happen but as the years wasted on, nothing ever did unless I caused it.” It is a mindset most of us have. We dream of an idealistic future, painting this overly vivid image of ‘What the world should be’ or in this case ‘What Nagaland should be. ‘However, potentials remain as potentials if not acted upon. Let us go back to the analogy of the seeds and chrysalis in the start. What makes them reach their full potential? It is when the seeds quench its thirst, drinks the rays of the sun and break through the dirt. It is when the pupa struggles out of its cocoon, pushing its membrane, letting the world see color. It is when they transform. This transformation doesn’t happen overnight. Nagaland’s transformation as well. However, if we even dare to “cause something “it will, in due time it will. Won't it Bukowski?
Winner of Chalie Kevichusa Essay Competition 2024 (Youth Category)
