The Musings of a Pedestrian

Rovi Chasie

Zipping around in an SUV to travel and get one’s job done is a luxury and an envious privilege. But on the other hand, trudging along on my own to two legs to accomplish my work, I get an opportunity to notice, observe and learn so many lessons on foot, an avenue presented only to a Pedestrian. This opportunity to experience and be in touch, sometimes literally, with the people from all walks of life is an absolute adventure. Even a short walk, besides the health benefits, sheds a lot of light on the multi facetted structure of our society.My constant communion with the people around me makes me more sensitive towards others and understand better as to where an individual is mentally coming from. 

It is common knowledge that in Kohima people from diverse economic backgrounds live together.  A walk in the street makes this disparity more pronounced. Some people suffer from Hypervitaminosis others from Hypovitaminosis. Some people in the creamy crustsoak and boil rice to discard the water before consumption to eliminate starch related nutrients while others need to have fortified rice to fight deficiencies in their diet. In each case, the individuals are struggling at their own personal levels. 

However, in this pandemonium as I traverse along the footpath, recently, I have been noticing several new display boards of Churches in every nooks and crannies of the street. Could this be an ominous sign of disharmony meandering into our society? Does it indicate diversity in the spiritual need of the vast diaspora of communities in the Capital town? Is the spiritual need related to the intellectual prowess of the Shepherds and their Flocks?There is no one-size-fits all answer here, although, the need of a franca lingua definitely plays a role, also, as someone whispered into my ears, the foot wear and sartorial price tags of church goers may be a factor to reckon with.

In any case, at the rate with which the sign boards are coming up like pop-up restaurants, Kohima may be looking holier than the Holy city now being bombarded from all sides, albeit, by external forces. On the contrary, are we heading towards an implosion?
I still can’t wrap my head around as to whether we are a colourful and accommodating society or a broken one.

May Jesus be the guiding light in every place of worship, big or small. May the spiritual thirst of every soul be quenched only by the Gospel truth. After all, men live by the word of God not by bread alone for sure.