Our Correspondent
JOTSOMA, DECEMBER 12
A conference of senior citizens, civil leaders, church leaders and new generation leaders was held today at the Centenary Ground, Jotsoma under the banner ‘All Nagaland Think Tank Meeting 2015’ where an exchange of views on the issues the Naga society is facing today, and what the Nagas must do at this juncture, was broadly discussed.
From the history of the Naga political movement to the birth of divisions in the society, corruption, exclusivity, the need for introspection, upholding Christian principles, reformation and restoration of values dominated the meeting.
Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) general secretary Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho sharing his views about the future of the church, said the church in Nagaland is a little over 140 years old, short of 1885 years compared to the global church, which indicates that the church in Nagaland is still in a nascent stage. However, he said during this short span of Christianity in Nagaland, the church has gone through tremendous growth which is possibly unprecedented in Christian history. From the first converts being chased from their homes and being severed off their ties with their families and villages, the message of the gospel has come a long way and now the church must be future oriented as Christianity is, he added. The future is invalid without the present so the people must maximise the present for the future of the church, Rev. Keyho said. He believes that the denominational line will become thinner and the people will be more concerned about doing the church right.
The church, as it grows older, must become younger in her leadership and what we need today is getting younger people in the leadership role….Our critical attitude towards the church must change so that the younger generation will not be frightened to lead the church into the future,” he said.
Former MLA Dr. Dietho-o Yhoshü sharing his perspectives on Naga nation building, stated that Nagas have a vintage history with strongly documented backgrounds, the credit of which goes to the pioneers. He stated that the Naga people have made some achievements and are better placed and recognized than many other people around them. However, acknowledging that today, the Naga society is engulfed and weakened by divisions, mistrusts, corruptions, which are the predicaments and dilemma today.
“Many things have gone wrong, but not everything. Let us learn lessons from our past mistakes and build on what is still intact,” he said. He asserted that there are still many things in common and called upon the Naga people to focus on these aspirations- a common journey and a common future- to propel the society forward.
Pointing out that the Naga people are not blind travellers or sojourners randomly responding to all kinds of changes and challenges, he said there are certain realities and truths that prevail and God is in control, and His order will come through step by step.
“Nagas today need introspection and retrospection and regain our composure and stand once again….Let us be bold and courageous, let us build the conscience of the society,” Dr. Dietho-o said, adding that Nagas must do this while keeping in mind that the gospel is their compass.
Senior advocate and ACAUT legal cell convener, Kezhokhoto Savi raised concern over corruption taking a deep root in the Naga society and questioned as to why the state government is taking so much time to put into place Lokayukta in the state. He highlighted that Lokayukta is to be established so as to curb the menace of corrupt practices, punish the corrupt public servants towards providing a clean, transparent, and accountable government of the people.
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Also pointing to the prevalence of backdoor appointment in Nagaland and the fight against this practice, Savi said this matter infringes the “equality of appointment in matters of public appointment” enshrined as a fundamental right in Article 16 of the Constitution of India for many educated/meritorious/qualified/unemployed youth. This is a fight against those employed who have been appointed/recruited in various departments of the state government bypassing the constitutional scheme of public employment through the modus operandi of illegal, backdoor, contractual, ad hoc, casual, temporary, deputation, irregular, etc. modes of appointment in collusion between the bureaucrats and the politicians.
Former bureaucrat, DK Zeliang underscored that God has a grand plan for the Nagas, however, he also lamented the affliction of corruption in the Naga society today. He talked candidly about the unlawful practices during elections in the state, saying that money power seizes democracy a hostage. Observing that many Naga people like to talk so much about their uniqueness, he wondered if they realize that the uniqueness of the Nagas radiate from the love that God has for them. He feels that only “the truth and the life” will be able to preserve the Nagas.
“With the so called modern reform and urbanization, our society is poised at the throes of total moral decline, and no agency seems even remotely capable of remedying the myriad of ills and corruption that is prevalent here in our society today,” laments Dirang Lungalang, church leader and pastor. He emphasized that the time has come for the Nagas to adopt their indigenous- base model in juxtaposition with the present system that they have become familiar with. A mechanism is needed which will be suitable for the modern Naga society, he remarked, while cautioning that ethno-economic diversity makes for a fragmented society. “We are in a difficult crossroads but I believe that we can sill salvage whatever is remaining,” he stated and further called upon those present to be the catalysts and agents of change in the society.
Dr. Sedevi Tsürho, CISHR deputy director for Research & training, also lamented that corruption has permeated into the entire Naga society today that everyone is tainted and is a beneficiary of corruption in some way. Reminding that no one is infallible, he stressed on the need for every person to study how corruption is affecting him/her and how they are being changed by it, and most important, learn to do self examination. He also talked about how the church as a major institution, can help in educating the congregation on integrity.
Others who spoke at the meeting included former politician and advisor Nagaland Tribes Council Z Lohe, senior citizens Rev. L Suohie Mhasi and Rev. Dr. VK Nuh. The event convener, Rev. Dr. Mazie Nakhro also shared his observations on the needs of the society.
