Flags on Our Vehicles, Silence on Our Roads

As the FIFA World Cup fever sweeps across Nagaland, a visitor driving through our towns would immediately notice a fascinating sight. Vehicles of every kind—cars, taxis, auto-rickshaws, scooters, and motorcycles—proudly display the flags of Brazil, Argentina, Germany, England, Portugal, and other footballing nations. The excitement is infectious. Conversations revolve around star players, match predictions, and national loyalties thousands of miles away. There is nothing wrong with celebrating football. Sport has a unique ability to unite people across cultures, languages, and borders. It provides joy, entertainment, and a temporary escape from the pressures of daily life. Yet, as one observes the sea of foreign flags fluttering across Nagaland, an uncomfortable question emerges: What if the same passion was directed toward the issues affecting our own society?

What if every fifth vehicle carried a message demanding better roads? What if the same enthusiasm was mobilised to raise awareness about deteriorating public infrastructure, rising unemployment among educated youth, irregular power supply, inadequate healthcare facilities, and the growing frustration of young people searching for meaningful opportunities? What if citizens displayed banners calling for accountability, transparency, and development with the same pride that they display the colours of footballing nations?

Nagaland today faces challenges that are far more consequential than the outcome of any football match. Many roads remain in poor condition despite repeated promises of improvement. Basic infrastructure in several areas struggles to keep pace with public needs. Educated graduates continue to face limited employment opportunities. Businesses and ordinary citizens often complain about various forms of taxation and financial burdens imposed by different groups, affecting economic growth and public confidence. Yet these issues rarely generate the same level of public discussion, collective passion, or symbolic expression as football does.

This is not a criticism of football fans. Rather, it is a reflection on the nature of public attention. Communication scholars often remind us that what a society chooses to celebrate reveals what occupies its imagination. The issue is not that we care too much about football; it may be that we care too little, or too quietly, about matters that directly shape our future. The flags flying across Nagaland today represent loyalty to teams and nations we admire. But perhaps they should also remind us of our responsibility to the land we call home. A society progresses not merely because its people are passionate, but because they are passionate about the right things at the right time. As the World Cup continues, let us enjoy the beautiful game. But when the final whistle blows and the flags are taken down, the potholes will remain, unemployment will remain, and the developmental challenges facing Nagaland will remain. The question is simple: Will our voices remain as visible for those issues as our flags were for football?