By joining the bandwagon of SRD issue, I am aware that I am going to stir the proverbial hornet nest. Yet the over re-action and selfish attitude of the so called ‘advanced tribe’ prompted me to do this write-up. Much has been criticized, condemned and questioned by the so called advanced tribes recently against Neiphiu Rio Govt. for his ever path breaking, and progressive policy of SRD. It is irony that, instead of sympathy and offering helping hand to your own backward brethrens, who are plagued by illiteracy, poverty, and other socio- economic and infrastructural problems.
The so called ‘advanced tribes’ opposed tooth and nail; which is nothing but a manifestation of utter selfishness, over reaction and narrow act. We trib.als, particularly Nagas are virtually the God father of proverbial ‘frog in a well’ ever hallmarked by obsession for local and parochial issues, trivial issues, we and they mentality, our tribe, our clan, our family, our language, our identity, bla .. bla.. Times has change, modernity is dawn and right here in our midst in Nagaland too. So the society, the students have to, and must change and progress not only socio-economically but also in mental outlook.
Yet, sadly the so called advanced tribes and those most vocal criticizing about SRD, seems to be reluctant to de-associate from the regressive and medieval mentality. In the interest of the so called agitating leaders of advanced tribes, the Govt. and Paramilitary (Assam rifles) will do well, by organizing, sponsoring more exposure trips and excursion beyond the four walls of Nagaland, to enable broaden their mental out-look, learn more about the existence of big world, and other progressive ideals of unity in diversity, tolerance, fraternity etc.
Some section of scant and nascent print media, which exist in Nagaland and remain as influential and effective tool in molding public opinion seems to fail regard for justice in terms of its coverage and stance. Interestingly, the steering student leaders have taken advantage of the media, in projecting their issue more vocally with more impact, by creating the impression of stirring aggressively and uncompromisingly, though not really in reality.
Appalling is a certain leader of the Educated Unemployed Union Nagaland (as the nomenclature clearly does not depict, which tribe, backward/ advanced tribe do it represents) whose article appeared on Oct. 7,2011, with many questions and queries posed to Rio Govt. which are dead biased against backward tribes, hollow and in fact without substance and impractical. He should be mindful of his words and viewpoints in public, as he represents not only of advance tribe unemployed youth, but also backward tribes. Being a leader and representative of educated unemployed union, does not necessarily mean that he have a license to do, speak anything at will, even criticizing govt. and favoring certain tribes at the cost of depriving the rights and opportunity of backward section. So, the public and the state govt. need not pay undue attention to his personal views.
The other day certain writer from some certain advanced tribe have criticized the SRD policy of the govt. with his bombardment of article and clauses of constitution, statutes etc. His legal knowledge mastery in substantiating his stand point is appreciated. Yet going by his write ups, if one is to believe his viewpoints, Equality seems to convey “lion’s share” for minority Privilege tribes. And also, the govt. and learned bureaucrats who largely formulates public policies must be legally illiterate, naïve and needs proper training indeed. So the writer needs to be more pragmatic and practical beyond mere presentation of impractical legal facts.
So dear bandwagon-mates, let’s reminds ourselves that criticizing, pointing fingers and finding faults of others or govt. is very easy. Yet the big question mark and challenge is ;- The solution part ; How best we solve the issue, how we offer the best, balanced, logical solution to an issue, how and how much we could contribute to the solution.
Let us be conscious and mindful of the fact that on any conflicting social issues like the recent SRD issue, the deserve winner party is not necessarily the one; 1. Who could most aggressively hold protest, take to streets etc. 2. Who could mobilize maximum number of people on the streets, threat to boycott the exam, to lock up gates of govt. offices etc. 3.Which party could dominate the front page of newspaper the most, be most vocal in their write-ups. 4. Which party could find and criticized maximum numbers of faults of govt. or tribes etc. 5. How smart protest strategy is chalked out and stir by one party. Have you ever think ‘if I belongs to Back ward Tribes than”. I don’t think so.
Taking the gravity and nature of recent strikes and stirs, the impression is, the govt. seems to have committed something blunder, silly and stupid.
Yet is it really so? Is the govt. run by and formulate public policy, by some illiterate lawmakers and bureaucrats? Obviously, the general public is the best judge here.
Now let’s give a glance at some disproportionate facts and points :- (1). Nagaland has 7296 Gazetted officers, out of which the Eastern Nagaland (comprising about 40%population) has mere 642. (2). Out of total number of 217 EAC Post in Nagaland. AO has 52, Lotha 42, Angami 25, Sema 17, Total about 136. (3).Today who are the IAS,IPS,IFS Officers?, who are the majority of ‘crorepatis’, with Grand Mansion, Bungalows, Luxury Cars etc. in Kohima, Dimapur and around. (4).Which tribes dominate the Secretary level Offices, Directors, Higher echelons of Public Offices. (5).Which Tribes dominates the secondary, tertiary and service sector of occupation. (6) Which Tribes dominate, with maximum number of Students in expensive and Top Schools, Colleges, Universities and UPSC Coaching institutes in big cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Pune etc.
From the above facts, every educated and otherwise Nagas knew that, the advanced tribes are much ahead socio-economically, infra-structurally, educationally etc. which does not need any further elaboration. Allocating 10 EAC post to BTs is virtually like a tiny drop of water added to an Ocean of the issue. With so much disparity socio-economically, educationally etc. between the Tribes, giving 1 Post of EAC to each Backward Tribes is neither going to be of any significant benefits and narrowing the gap nor, is at all going to cost much for Advanced Tribes. The State govt. in the meeting with the Student leaders the other day have already promised and assured them that such recruitment drive is going to be the first and the last of its kind. Yet, the gravity of subsequent stir they resorted to is appalling. I am afraid and wonder if the govt. happens to repeat such exercise in futures. How grave would be the threat and stir be. (Definitely govt. would be a dead meat, indeed.).
Furthermore, the DAN govt. deserves big ‘kudos’ from all quarters for their visionary, benevolent and bold policies. They should stick to their cabinet decisions of offering helping hand to the less privileged, and must not be swayed and buckled under the pressure tactics created by the selfish few with the smart stirring methods and media hype. The govt. should realize the fact that, the greed of some tribes cannot afford to compromise the privilege and rights of less privilege majority which they rightfully deserve. The govt. therefore must not cancel, but postpone the recruitment drive, and if needed, conduct more such exercise in future to uphold the ideals of ‘Justice’ and ‘equality’ enshrined in the preamble of our constitution.
Lastly, If today, smart protesting techniques, which include maximum mobilization of people, locking of public offices gates and doors, pull media on one’s side, create hype about the protest to exert maximum pressure on govt. are the yardstick, to bargain the govt. and forcefully win a certain issue, though undeserved, then it is a dangerous trend indeed. Which the backward section too could and would be forced to engage in such dirty tricks, to enable avail our share tomorrow.
(Kudukhoto Tetseo)
General Secretary
Phek Town Chakhesang Students’ Union, PHEK
The so called ‘advanced tribes’ opposed tooth and nail; which is nothing but a manifestation of utter selfishness, over reaction and narrow act. We trib.als, particularly Nagas are virtually the God father of proverbial ‘frog in a well’ ever hallmarked by obsession for local and parochial issues, trivial issues, we and they mentality, our tribe, our clan, our family, our language, our identity, bla .. bla.. Times has change, modernity is dawn and right here in our midst in Nagaland too. So the society, the students have to, and must change and progress not only socio-economically but also in mental outlook.
Yet, sadly the so called advanced tribes and those most vocal criticizing about SRD, seems to be reluctant to de-associate from the regressive and medieval mentality. In the interest of the so called agitating leaders of advanced tribes, the Govt. and Paramilitary (Assam rifles) will do well, by organizing, sponsoring more exposure trips and excursion beyond the four walls of Nagaland, to enable broaden their mental out-look, learn more about the existence of big world, and other progressive ideals of unity in diversity, tolerance, fraternity etc.
Some section of scant and nascent print media, which exist in Nagaland and remain as influential and effective tool in molding public opinion seems to fail regard for justice in terms of its coverage and stance. Interestingly, the steering student leaders have taken advantage of the media, in projecting their issue more vocally with more impact, by creating the impression of stirring aggressively and uncompromisingly, though not really in reality.
Appalling is a certain leader of the Educated Unemployed Union Nagaland (as the nomenclature clearly does not depict, which tribe, backward/ advanced tribe do it represents) whose article appeared on Oct. 7,2011, with many questions and queries posed to Rio Govt. which are dead biased against backward tribes, hollow and in fact without substance and impractical. He should be mindful of his words and viewpoints in public, as he represents not only of advance tribe unemployed youth, but also backward tribes. Being a leader and representative of educated unemployed union, does not necessarily mean that he have a license to do, speak anything at will, even criticizing govt. and favoring certain tribes at the cost of depriving the rights and opportunity of backward section. So, the public and the state govt. need not pay undue attention to his personal views.
The other day certain writer from some certain advanced tribe have criticized the SRD policy of the govt. with his bombardment of article and clauses of constitution, statutes etc. His legal knowledge mastery in substantiating his stand point is appreciated. Yet going by his write ups, if one is to believe his viewpoints, Equality seems to convey “lion’s share” for minority Privilege tribes. And also, the govt. and learned bureaucrats who largely formulates public policies must be legally illiterate, naïve and needs proper training indeed. So the writer needs to be more pragmatic and practical beyond mere presentation of impractical legal facts.
So dear bandwagon-mates, let’s reminds ourselves that criticizing, pointing fingers and finding faults of others or govt. is very easy. Yet the big question mark and challenge is ;- The solution part ; How best we solve the issue, how we offer the best, balanced, logical solution to an issue, how and how much we could contribute to the solution.
Let us be conscious and mindful of the fact that on any conflicting social issues like the recent SRD issue, the deserve winner party is not necessarily the one; 1. Who could most aggressively hold protest, take to streets etc. 2. Who could mobilize maximum number of people on the streets, threat to boycott the exam, to lock up gates of govt. offices etc. 3.Which party could dominate the front page of newspaper the most, be most vocal in their write-ups. 4. Which party could find and criticized maximum numbers of faults of govt. or tribes etc. 5. How smart protest strategy is chalked out and stir by one party. Have you ever think ‘if I belongs to Back ward Tribes than”. I don’t think so.
Taking the gravity and nature of recent strikes and stirs, the impression is, the govt. seems to have committed something blunder, silly and stupid.
Yet is it really so? Is the govt. run by and formulate public policy, by some illiterate lawmakers and bureaucrats? Obviously, the general public is the best judge here.
Now let’s give a glance at some disproportionate facts and points :- (1). Nagaland has 7296 Gazetted officers, out of which the Eastern Nagaland (comprising about 40%population) has mere 642. (2). Out of total number of 217 EAC Post in Nagaland. AO has 52, Lotha 42, Angami 25, Sema 17, Total about 136. (3).Today who are the IAS,IPS,IFS Officers?, who are the majority of ‘crorepatis’, with Grand Mansion, Bungalows, Luxury Cars etc. in Kohima, Dimapur and around. (4).Which tribes dominate the Secretary level Offices, Directors, Higher echelons of Public Offices. (5).Which Tribes dominates the secondary, tertiary and service sector of occupation. (6) Which Tribes dominate, with maximum number of Students in expensive and Top Schools, Colleges, Universities and UPSC Coaching institutes in big cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Pune etc.
From the above facts, every educated and otherwise Nagas knew that, the advanced tribes are much ahead socio-economically, infra-structurally, educationally etc. which does not need any further elaboration. Allocating 10 EAC post to BTs is virtually like a tiny drop of water added to an Ocean of the issue. With so much disparity socio-economically, educationally etc. between the Tribes, giving 1 Post of EAC to each Backward Tribes is neither going to be of any significant benefits and narrowing the gap nor, is at all going to cost much for Advanced Tribes. The State govt. in the meeting with the Student leaders the other day have already promised and assured them that such recruitment drive is going to be the first and the last of its kind. Yet, the gravity of subsequent stir they resorted to is appalling. I am afraid and wonder if the govt. happens to repeat such exercise in futures. How grave would be the threat and stir be. (Definitely govt. would be a dead meat, indeed.).
Furthermore, the DAN govt. deserves big ‘kudos’ from all quarters for their visionary, benevolent and bold policies. They should stick to their cabinet decisions of offering helping hand to the less privileged, and must not be swayed and buckled under the pressure tactics created by the selfish few with the smart stirring methods and media hype. The govt. should realize the fact that, the greed of some tribes cannot afford to compromise the privilege and rights of less privilege majority which they rightfully deserve. The govt. therefore must not cancel, but postpone the recruitment drive, and if needed, conduct more such exercise in future to uphold the ideals of ‘Justice’ and ‘equality’ enshrined in the preamble of our constitution.
Lastly, If today, smart protesting techniques, which include maximum mobilization of people, locking of public offices gates and doors, pull media on one’s side, create hype about the protest to exert maximum pressure on govt. are the yardstick, to bargain the govt. and forcefully win a certain issue, though undeserved, then it is a dangerous trend indeed. Which the backward section too could and would be forced to engage in such dirty tricks, to enable avail our share tomorrow.
(Kudukhoto Tetseo)
General Secretary
Phek Town Chakhesang Students’ Union, PHEK
