THE word ‘change’ is the most popular slogan in present age. The desire and demand for change is not in Nagaland only. It has become a global phenomenon. Barak Obama stormed to power in 2008 USA Presidential election on the slogan ‘change’. Similarly, Narendra Modi won 2014 Parliamentary election on the ‘change’ mantra. Sadly, such election promises seldom bring changes in human values.
Today, people wants change because something is definitely going wrong politically, socially and even in religion. Corruption has reached an all time high and percolated down to the last level of village administration. Individualism has taken over welfare interest. There is random embezzling of public funds for development, high stake commission in all public fund releases and rampant abuse of political power. Nepotism and favoritism have taken control in public employment and government sponsored technical courses. On top of all these, multiple taxations in the name of Naga nationalism have tested the patience of the people beyond tolerance. Corruption has become accepted norm in a Christian majority state of Nagaland. All these are due to loss of human values.
Quite unlike the modern Nagas, Naga ancestors were honest, hardworking, straightforward and courageous. They were men and women of principle. They were kind, selfless and loved fellow human beings. They were not Christians but they feared the supernatural spirit. It was taboo to cheat or rob others. Leadership was only for men with integrity. Men feared to misuse public office. There was absolute respect for parents. None dared question the wisdom of an elder. None was too rich. It was great shame to beg from others. The wealthy provided feast out of surplus earned by their sweat and brow. There was no modern education but they followed strict codes of conduct in all social life. They had high respect for village institutions. Irrespective of one’s social standing, all received the same degree of justice. There was complete harmony in Naga society. Naga ancestors possessed the treasure of all human values that was hard to find anywhere in the world.
It was unbelievable that savage people that took head taking as an honored tradition could evolve so fast to practice great human values in such a short time. Such values were unique to Naga ancestors. It was for that reason that Naga leaders with God given wisdom, declared Nagas as sovereign people to live as a nation among nations.
The values of our ancestors were the core values that Nagas should strive for, to bring meaningful change to degenerated Nagas of today and promise hope to generation next Nagas. The desire for change should lead to restoration of our ancestors’ treasured values. Change without human values will be worthless. Restoration of old values will be possible if the village institutions start teaching the youngsters of ethics, ideals, conventional codes of conduct and traditional taboos. The church needs to spend all its energies on preaching the fear of God. The rulers should be honest to show good example. Going back to our own root is the only answer to the predicaments that Nagas’ of present generation are facing.
~ Dr. K. Hoshi
