The most familiar face during Christmas is that of Santa
Claus. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back to Saint Nicholas of Myra,
who according to tradition was a bishop in that small Roman town in modern day
Turkey in the 4th century. Known for his piety and kindness, Saint Nicholas
became the patron saint of children and sailors. He was famous for his
generosity as in the case of three poor sisters for whom he secretly provided
dowry to save them from slavery. Modern development came from a poem in 1822 by
Clement Clarke Moore titled “A Visit from St Nicholas” also known as “The Night
before Christmas”, which describes Santa Claus as a jolly, plump figure who
travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Thomas Nast a political cartoonist
further shaped the modern image of Santa Claus depicting him as a rotund,
cheerful man with a white beard, red suit and a sack full of toys for children.
His reputation for generosity and kindness to the poor and the children gave
rise to many legends. This made him what he is now!
2. Modern day Imitators: A Pastor, ‘Share the Joy’ project
by DNSU
Some years a go there was a pastor in Kohima who really
imitated Santa Claus by visiting the poor in the area and gave them a kg or two
of meat! Similarly, it was very heartwarming to read about “Share the Joy”
project initiated by the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) on 15th December.
It aims at spreading love, kindness and festive cheer to the poor and needy
people of Dimapur. It includes distribution of free materials and arranging
free medical check-ups. These are indeed wonderful and truly beneficial ways of
imitating Santa Claus.
3. Unwilling Santa Clauses
Today, ministers and politicians have been made to behave
like Santa Claus. If they are invited to grace any function as ‘Chief Guest’,
they are expected to make a generous donation to the host. It is said that many
are unwilling to accept such invitations anymore because of the burden
involved. Consequently, such chief guests are called by other more innocuous
titles and exempted from the burden of emptying their pockets!
4. Political /Social Charity?
This brings us to a noteworthy aspect of our social and
political life. We speak of charity in the religious context. But we never hear
this word in the context of social or political life! Why is it a forbidden
word? Can we not speak of political love or social love/charity? Whereas
individuals can help others in any need, when they join together in initiating
social processes of fraternity and justice for all, they enter the field of
charity at its most vast, namely political charity or social charity as already
internationally acknowledged.
There is an old saying which goes thus: “Give a man a fish
and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish, and you feed him for a
lifetime”. Similarly, it is an act of charity to assist someone suffering, but
it is also an act of charity to work to change the social conditions that
caused his or her suffering. If someone helps an elderly person to cross a
river, that is a fine act of charity. The politician on the other hand, builds
a bridge, and that too is an act of charity. While one person can help another
by providing something to eat, the politician creates a job for that other
person and thus practices a lofty form of charity that ennobles his or her
political activity. The politicians with their sincere efforts and public
cooperation can create gainful employment, by creating opportunity for
industrial or other development. Of course here we are not talking of the often
condemned ways of underhand appointments and nepotic undertakings.
6. A New Kind of Politics
Clearly this requires that we move from a petty form of
politics focused on immediate interests to one built on moral principles and
based on long-term common good. There are many who condemn politicians for
squandering money in the above mentioned way. But how can we blame politicians
when we, the public, are demanding donations when they come for any public
function? Today with ecological sensitivity a new custom has arisen in one
area: instead of giving a bouquet of flowers to welcome guests, a flower plant
in a flower plot or some seedlings to be planted are presented. Can we not
attempt at changing our habit of forcing politicians to be unwilling Santa
Clauses, and decide instead to propose something that can serve the neighbourhood:
an electrical connection, or running water for the village, a culvert, or even
bigger projects involving a wider public?
7. A Daunting Task
It is indeed a daunting task. But changing habits take time.
All good projects take time. Did not the struggle for our independence take a
very long time? So also the fight of the blacks in America or that of Nelson
Mandela in South Africa for freedom and equality?
In this context there comes to mind the ‘Clean Election
Campaign’ of our own leaders here in Nagaland. It is indeed a noble effort
requiring sustained struggle calling for the support of all people of good
will. May the spirit of optimism and hope the Christmas season brings, energise
us all to strive for a better politics and a brighter future for all.
Long live the true Spirit of Santa Claus! May we help our
leaders to be true Santa Clauses who spend money which truly helps society!
Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year to All!
