The Report of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) which was tabled in the recently concluded session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly was thoroughly embarrassing as a Christian. Some may say it was not as bad as before and take comfort in it. However, from unverifiable projects to doubtful execution, from short execution to abandonment of projects, from diversion of projects to furnishing of utilization certificates even before funds were released, from a single project paid twice to dealers concealing purchases and evading taxes, from undue financial benefit to contractor(s) on enhancement of rate to fictitious transportation challans and non-existent vehicles, from misappropriation of students’ scholarship funds to miraculous resizing of two-storey RCC hostel building to a single-storey building are all too much to be expecting from the top state government functionaries, bureaucrats, contractors, and their accomplices. These things are appalling! But they are not impossible if one gives in to unquenchable greed.
Perhaps, calculative blame game is doing the round because the recent years had witnessed unstable governments with portfolios and officials reshuffled more often than required, and so one can easily pass the buck to others. But all these had happened in “real” Nagaland. Those responsible for such “crimes” may safely be relaxing far away from the catch of the legal grip, but hopefully not beyond the prick of conscience.
Enough damage has been done to ourselves. We have become callous and take pride in shameful things. Given the situation, tons of anger can ceaselessly flow from one’s mouth, but perhaps that can only snowball more angers and will not achieve anything worthwhile. It is evident that Nagaland is speeding up towards an explosion! We have all the recipes in place, external threats and internal decadence, and the day may not be too far off when we will have to pay heavy consequences for all that we have recklessly sown. God forbid that such day should ever come!
Sadly, our society is at its lowest point! But we are not hopeless yet if we care to seek God’s face and mercy. In that assuring care of the Almighty God we can thrive again. However, it also requires will and determination from everyone, and everyone must take one more step to move on. The state government should commit itself seriously to be more “people/public” government and not “self/party” government. The Naga national governments must spare every young Naga entrepreneur who struggles to stand on his/her own feet from all taxation as a commitment to building the Naga nation together. Too many of them have given up from frustration and we must not allow any more to happen. The church should guard closely its sanctity and integrity so that it remains worthy of providing shelter and hope to our fatigued society, and to look upon for the voice of God in hazy times. The Nagas have to promote the family feeling and learn to live together not only during good times but more so in bad times. And the non-Nagas living in Nagaland should contribute towards the common good with sense of gratitude for getting their livelihood in being here.
Restoration of “God-consciousness” in all of our dealings and relationships is indispensable in our journey to a better society. Everyone must take another God-fearing step to make Nagaland a more joyful place to live in. To that end, May God help us!
V Atsi Dolie
Mission Compound, Kohima
