The Govt. of INDIA in sequence of two/three prime ministers, during their own leadership tenures outspokenly pronounced without any hesitation that Nagas have a unique history. Even during the parliamentary discussion in the Lok sabha the then prime minister of India Shri. Jawahar Lal Nehru boldly convinced the house that basing on their quality and nature of life, creation of Nagaland statehood would benefit this vast country. But with the pace of time the historic declaration of unique history of Nagas is becoming a burning topic; not only in the neighboring states like Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh so on; but also towards the bigger chunk of mental hectic processes among the thinkers of Nagas irrespective of their dwelling places within and outside Nagaland state. Thus the unique history of Nagas is an undisputable fact; because of various reasons such as life style, culture& Tradition, norms, food habits, manners& behaviors, characters and other social structures that binds the Naga society.
The evidence from various British historians or even Indian army officials who have been exposed to Naga society admires the good qualities of Nagas such as honesty, bravery, straight forwardness, generosity, hospitality, courageous etc in spite of the little they have had. Placing the unique history and distinctive identity of Nagas in this era of 21st century, where things are changing into a new global village of oneness and togetherness. This resulted in creating dispute even among many younger generation youths of Nagas who have not experienced the past forefather’s life. Nagas are very fast in picking-up and imitating the latest fashion of life styles in the world. And this has become the greatest threat of questionable situation between older and younger generation of Naga society where the good qualities of our ancestors were been diluted.
Pressing on to life we tend to change our lifestyles to fit in with the latest technology, and along the line we also tend to change our manners and behaviors too with the up-gradation of educational status. When all of our dealings are changed with the wider mingling of society members in relationship with ones profession, friendship, marriage relationship, business and other life career from place to place across the world. But the bottom line is we must maintain originality in life as a unique human race. Somehow that maintenance of its uniqueness and distinctive identity is disturbed and put under dispute in the Naga society because of the generation gap.
Tracing back the past qualities of Naga society, the present generation has lost many vibrant qualities of our forefathers. It is the elder generation who are very fortunate to live together with the younger (Children) generation to retrospect the past Naga society and inculcate it so as to preserve the unique history of Nagas. Our Naga history is not the popular sentiment of Nagas. No doubt, the generation gap is there in Naga society, but the manner, behavior and the character of respecting the older generation and its qualities of life is the real essence of human race. Preserving our culture and identity may not directly give personal gain or benefit but it will surely enrich one’s quality of life in the long run.
K.Ritse
