Memories go back to the year 2012 when I was transferred from Govt. Higher Secondary School, Dimapur to GHSS Bhandari. Few friends and well wishers cautioned me and offered advises with real concerns as discharging duties as administrator of an educational institution is quite different from teaching students. Some friends hailing from the majority community of Bhandari habitation even told me that I was going to deal with tough people of their community. Though I felt nervous at the beginning, I consoled myself; well if I am going to face tough people at the starting of my administrative career, I could easily carry on my remaining service anywhere else in Nagaland without much difficulty.
Even today, after successful completion of 6 years tenure at Bhandari, many people ask me about ‘Bhandari Life’ with prejudice mindsets. They get puzzled when I say those were wonderful days in my career and I could see the expression of disbelief in their eyes. So, I feel that I should share few of my ‘Bhandari Experiences’ with the readers.
Throughout my stay at Bhandari I enjoyed the affection and love of all sections of the people of Bhandari and I feel blessed that they always treated me as one among them. I would not say that my journey was always pleasant. I did come across hostile attitudes of few individuals and I did commit few blunders out of my inexperience. But the loving people of Bhandari never let me stood alone. It was the support of the people that gave me the strength to discharge my duties honestly without any fear. I always felt secure within the boundaries of Bhandari. Some of my friends who are posted at other districts use to share about unpleasant experiences they had with few ‘National Workers’. Thanks to God; I only witnessed their smiling faces and also felt their protective hands during few occasions of unfortunate incidents.
A section of people contributes the mindset of the people for the backwardness of the oldest Subdivision of Nagaland. I will not say that their words are completely wrong. But it is not the mindset of the ordinary people that keeps the region backward. It is the mindset of the section of Govt. employees posted at Bhandari that leads to the backwardness of the region. It is a sad reality that a good percentage of Govt. employees attend duties only during Independence Day, Republic Day and during the visits of VIP dignitaries. It is my sincere belief that the region will witness drastic developments if we could ensure officials posted at the region remain in station during the working days.
There may be bit of truth in the saying that the people of Bhandari are tough compared to people of the same community living in other parts of Nagaland. We all know that our behavior is characterized to a great extend by the atmosphere we live. How can we expect people to be forward thinking when we are unable to provide them even the basic needs such as Water, Electricity and Communication facilities? The people of Bhandari are so innocent that they are ignorant of their own rights. There is a proverb in my Tamil language; “The crying baby gets the milk”. It’s more applicable in today’s life. People should be assertive of their genuine rights. If not, what is due for them will be mercilessly taken by others.
Many natives of Bhandari are now occupying higher positions in the Govt. and private sectors and are posted at different districts of Nagaland. It may not be possible for them to openly raise voice for the people of Bhandari due their official positions. But they could definitely contribute their best by guiding the younger generation towards development and prosperity. I earnestly request all well to do people hailing from Bhandri and settled in other parts to act as mentors for at least one or two young children pursuing studies beyond high school level.
Finally I wish to say few words to my fellow Govt. servants. In India only 3.55 % of the ‘Workforce’ serves in the Govt. sector and God has blessed us to be one among them. We must consider this blessing as an opportunity to serve the people and not as a license to draw salary without contributing anything to the department we are working for. Let us remember that we are drawing salary from the taxes paid by the common man in different forms and we are duty bound to serve them.
Nellayappan B
bnellayappan@gmail.com
