Dimapur, August 8 (MExN): Basing on the current scenario of the Nagas and in an attempt to know what Nagas think about their future and how far they care about it, The Morung Express conducted a poll – “Do you care for the future of the Naga people?” Where the 62% were very optimistic, the 9% were frustrated with the leaders that they have given up to care for the future and the other 29 % stated that caring isn’t enough but action is needed to bring about a change.
The 29 % of the voters though a minority in this poll gave some really inspiring radical suggestions. Among them, a contender sincerely stated he cares for the Nagas’ future but does it really matters and questioned “Do our actions tally with what we say?”
Stating that though Nagas want change, nothing has been done so far. Moreover, youth are the future but they are no better than the parents - "corrupt, crooked, tainted and immoral". "We blame the government officials of corruption but we don’t see any wrong in committing fraud to get scholarship (it all starts here). We call politicians dirty and politics a dirty game, but come election and we all sell our votes off for a few hundred bucks."
It also went on saying that we hate tribalism and all other negative "isms" but when it comes to Unions, we adjust ourselves for ‘our’ Union’s gain. "We are selfish people. As long as we benefit WE don’t care about anything else, all we care about is ourselves. When it comes to independence or integration or reconciliation? Most of the Naga youths are oblivious of the political happenings. "What do we care? What do I get out of it? There’s this prevalent attitude, ‘As long as I gain, I don’t care what becomes of you.'"
It further added that even if we try to integrate, all we will think about is how we won’t lose an inch and how we will gain an inch. Sovereignty might be out of the question in the context of negotiations with India (harsh truth) but most of us probably fear Independence itself (even harsher truth).
“We are all COWARDS. How can we get something if we fear it? Ask any youth if they want independence or sovereignty and most will give you a confused look and finally a subdued NO. And if you ask why you will realize it’s because he fears independence. He fears that we are too weak, he fears that we have no place in this world on our own, he fears that we can’t stand on our own." Moreover, it said that Nagas are so dependent on India. "Slowly and steadily they are killing our real independence, the independence of our thoughts, our minds."
"The editor of this daily has talked about Referendum (as in Timor and Kosovo who got their independence through a referendum) but I’m beginning to doubt if it will work in our case. What exactly is the will of the people? What do our people really want? Do we care? It’s not late now, but by the time such a thing happens, we might have lost our true independence. And the referendum will only prove me right. ”
Moreover, an analytical contender said: “It’s really difficult not to care for the future. But at the same time looking at the present state of affairs, it is very discouraging. There are just no leaders or even Naga role models who you can look up to. There is not one honest Naga man or woman who is willing to stand up and speak the truth. Naga society has become very fearful. So even if I do care for the Naga future, that alone is not going to make any difference. Action is required.”
Another said that if only the present day Naga leaders from all their respective fields could sincerely answer this serious poll question as they are now responsible how to build the future and shape the destiny of the state for the coming generation who grows to believe that the better days are ahead. Inspite of its malaise and ailments plaguing the ongoing Naga society, the paradigm shift taking place in many spheres of lives initiated and spearheaded visibly if not singlehandedly by the younger generations gives a lot of reasons to the right thinking Nagas to feel upbeat and be optimistic about the Naga future.
"...the powers that be at present can't afford to be only selfishly myopic and grossly ignoring their legacy by paying only sugar-coated lip service with banal action and speech full of cliché but ought to be aware of what kind of sees they are sowing today to let their populace and society to reap in the future."
An irked contender said: “What a Question!!! Don't you have better things to ask??? Why don't you ask the Politicians, the Bureaucrats, the undergrounds leaders, the hopelessly corrupted devils!! Why ask me!! Even If I do care for the future of the Naga people, there is not much I can do of great consequence. ”
From the optimistic group, a contender stated: “Somewhere down the road we have been misled, misinformed and has been led astray. Is there any area of Naga life that is not corroded, polluted and marred by sin's corrupting influence? Listening to the music of our youth reveals a youth culture that is disillusioned. Looking at the condition of our churches reveals a deep lack of spiritual discernment and leadership. Yet, amidst these, there is hope for the Nagas if we will humble ourselves before the Lord, repent and walk in obedience to Christ.”
Further, one more added: “‘Phoney War’ is on here in Nagaland within the Nagas – because we have given our land "NAGAland for Christ" but not us (the individual). The Lord needs the people not the land (which of course is His). If we don't change our mindset within a decade of time, the Biggest Civil War we'll encounter here in the so called "Nagaland For Christ State."”
In regard to the present political condition, one said that Nagas are divided by Indians and Britishers and that Nagas need to get back as a Nation. Interestingly, a non-Naga said: “...I support the motion because every indigenous community of the world has their own rights and obligation to govern/administer their land and property.”
A contender pointed out that 3% of Nagas living in Kohima and Dimapur are destroying the future generation of our great kingdom through their corrupt practice & lies. Some said that youngsters care for the future but the elders do not. Stating that seeing the interest shown by our seniors, “one is left with a bad impression” that the future will be bleak - “hopeless, famine and war-logged”.
The 9% who said they don’t care about the future of the Nagas blamed the corrupt politicians, Government Officials, NGOs, Church Leaders, National Workers etc. for being selfish.
A very disappointed one said: “The politicians are busy building their own kingdoms, the bureaucrats are quietly building their fortune and don’t care for the public, the businessman is trying very hard to bribe the powerful people at the expense of the common man, and the so called Naga freedom fighter are too busy building their own castles. They seem to be fighting for their own cause, rather than the Naga cause. ”
One more added that the present situation is “too distressing to even care about”. The common people’s voice is not heard at all. Neither the “overground or underground leaders” even bother to actually listen to what the common people say. "All the blame cannot be put on the underground leaders, because the overground leaders are no better."
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