Congratulatory messages poured in from all quarters for Hokato Hotozhe Sema when he scripted history by becoming the first-ever athlete from Nagaland to win a medal at the Paralympics last month. He brought laurels to the country and the state by winning a bronze in the shot put at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024. The relief it brought to the people of the state was palpable, as citizens swarmed social media platforms to celebrate the historic moment. But in the midst of these cheers were some who seemed to be more interested in how much cash reward the state government would give to the Paralympic medallist. They had no time for celebration. And they expected the government to respond instantly. Maybe they wanted to see the medallist live a secure life, which is appreciable, but casting doubt while people are celebrating reeks of negativity. Well, the state government announced a cash reward of INR 1.5 crore for Hokato, a gesture that should encourage young sportspersons to take up sports seriously, besides acknowledging the laurels he brought to the state and the country. There is time for everything- time for celebration and rewards. Overzealousness and negative mindset can kill the cat, not just curiosity. Sadly, the Naga society is currently overwhelmed by negativity.
Today, many discussions, be it in real life or virtual platforms, revolve around negativity- bad roads, corrupt leaders, poor governance, overdependence on the Centre, multiple taxations by Naga political groups (NGPs) and many more. While these are real issues that need to be seriously looked into and addressed, it is not right to bring in NPGs to all matters related to business or mention the NBCC in all discussions related to the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989. Tarring everyone with the same brush at the drop of a hat won’t help solve the core issues at hand. In fact, negative mindset has become an impediment to social growth, as it contributes to diverting real issues. It may also be mentioned that we are quick to point out a slip, not the distance covered. Some seem to find joy in trolling artistes and YouTubers, especially from the state. Many don’t know how to genuinely appreciate a good work anymore without the use of the word “BUT”. But we gain nothing through negativity. We should remember that a negative comment on social media can affect the mental health of someone, to the point of taking the extreme step. We should learn to remain silent if we have nothing good to say. Our society needs empathy, not negativity.