There are several controversies around the NLTP Act, FCRA Bill and Vande Mataram amid unemployment but the greatest tragedy is collective silence and complacence.
In our society, truth has become the most unfortunate victim of our collective silence and complacence. The tendency to sweep unpleasant things under the carpet supplemented by the usual turning away of the face is perhaps our greatest tragedy. We ought to be worried about our children, who are growing up in an environment of fear and deceit; who are being made to believe that easy money through unscrupulous means is just another inevitable reality of our society and that it is completely normal. The moral decay is in plain sight for all to see, which is further being exacerbated by social media. The decline of social and moral values is happening rather all too quickly and should set the alarm bells ringing. No doubt that values and traditions change with time but there are certain non-negotiables which form the basic structure of Naga society and they cannot be compromised with at any cost.
It would not be out of place to claim that Nagaland today is in a complete state of disarray. Blind leading the blind is our diagnosis. Most of our leaders (political, social and religious) do not inspire confidence and courage in the people. If one takes a dive into our society, it’s not hard to notice that the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ are only getting bigger and bigger. The worst affected segment of the Naga population is the youth. Our youth are our powerhouse and yet, they’ve not been accorded due opportunity and a level-playing field to achieve their potential. The alarming rate of unemployment is an indicator of a larger symptom of malaise plaguing our people. As a result of large-scale unemployment and lack of favorable conditions which support employment opportunities, a large percentage of our youth have turned to drugs and alcohol, and are wasting their lives away in emptiness - lives without a sense of purpose and direction. Eventually, they turn to anti-social activities to eke out a living, which, in turn, affects our society at large. Yes, personal choices cannot be pinned on the community but the factors influencing them cannot be discarded. Another grim reality is the outflow of our youth in large numbers to different parts of the country and even abroad simply because of the lack of employment opportunities. While no one should be discouraged from venturing outside for better careers and opportunities, it is also a fact that many Naga youth are compelled to go out of state to pursue a living – most times, a meagre one.
Naga parents also need to understand that the craze for government service is increasingly becoming an outdated phenomenon. Your desire to see your children succeed and make it big in life as government officers is appreciated but don’t force them to live your dreams, especially if they have dreams of their own. Of course, to guide and mould your children are your prerogatives but a line should be drawn between parental duty and selfish desire. The pressure to succeed in exams like the NPSC is so much that a good portion of a youth’s life is literally wasted in the period between preparation and appearing for countless exams. And what happens to the ones who don’t make the cut after spending so many years? We already know the answer. We just need to take a look at our friends and relatives who couldn’t cross the line. They are viewed through a pitiful lens. As if their existence itself is a misfortune. This is also the reason why many Naga youth today are skeptical or less interested in marriage quoting financial stability. This is bound to have a cascading effect on our population in the coming years. We need to keep our population stable so that Naga society has a high chance of existing and thriving in its entirety. The Church can play a guiding role in this aspect by tying up with the government and all the apex tribal bodies, and bringing about a long-term framework to help stabilize things.
Now, coming to the Church. In the eyes of many, the general perception is that the Church is primarily concerned with the NLTP Act, 1989. It needs to be aware that it can and should do a lot more in the realm of social reforms. This is not to negate whatever the Church has been doing in society’s service. I hate to be the one to bell the cat but there is a silent and growing discontentment against the Church for its selective outrage. For instance, the Church is the loudest when it comes to the NLTP Act, 1989 or the Clean Election Campaign but it also goes conveniently silent in calling out corruption and misgovernance, not only against the state government and its machinery but also against the Naga Political Groups (NPGs). It should be fearless and unapologetic about standing for the truth, for God and for the Naga people. It appears to be the case to many people that even the Church is not free from sycophancy. Its moral compass refuses to move unless shaken. The Church can even protest against the FCRA Bill and Vande Mataram but those are issues best left to the political executive to tackle. Indeed, these are matters centered on our faith but it’s probably best left to our sagacious politicians who are never bereft of wisdom when it comes to finding a permanent solution (no pun intended).
With regard to our Naga Political Groups (NPGs), let me say this only: Time is running out. Every day, the scope of the Naga people’s future is getting smaller. As the clock ticks and the days turn into years, the emotional connect between the younger Naga generation and the Naga national principles are getting diluted. Conduct yourselves in the true spirit of Naga nationalism. Don’t be a burden upon the people. Revolutionaries are those who sacrifice comfort and luxury for a greater cause, and not the other way around. Fatigue has taken hold of Naga people.
Nationalism has become a certificate for harassment. A deep and honest introspection is the need of the hour. When protectors turn oppressors, resentment by the people is a natural outcome. The Naga people’s respect, generosity and kindness must not be mistaken for subservience. Impunity is a disease that must be eradicated or it will lead to an inglorious end of the Naga nation. Naga society has been at the crossroads for far too long. Wisdom and fear of the Lord demand that we must do something about it at the earliest or perish in the unforgiving river of regret. When history is revisited by posterity, will you be the main text or just a footnote?
Kuknalim. God bless my Nagaland.
I Longkumer