There is no exaggeration in the fact that Nagas, with multitude menaces of problems, are encumbered from pragmatically shifting towards resolved political environment requisite for rudimentary growth in all paradigms of development. With also inundation of pessimistic rhetoric, being circulated in our usual dosage of gossips, amounts to negative perception in the manifold of improper and statistical politically incorrect definitions about the success-rate, to really impact-out a sensible changing dynamic in our reality – the onus every citizen shoulders, also subsides from the crux of the matter around on point discussions. By our own misconceptions about politics, fraternity, equality and cohesive integrity for collective growth, the menaces imbibing our potentiality remain immune to the core.
The menaces of problems include: lack/iota of attention in the agricultural sector, poor network of road connectivity in the national and inter-state highways, negligence of imparting public schemes to the beneficiaries, influx of illegal aliens [not Indians] scouring and deterring us from inculcating practical skills in essentially contributive trivial workforces etc. Our problems have really weighed down on us, and we are already late – how more late are we to be? India in general is infested by illegal immigrants straining in on our economy – with reported estimation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants soaring to around 20 million in the recent figures. Illegal immigrants have no legal rights in the state and regarding the staggering dilemma in our state, it would be impartial for the state and provisional governments to check the rapid illegal influx within their own parameters. Times itself calls for adequate measure when the Nagas are robbed off of indigenous entitlements and adequate justification inherent is yet beyond our grasp presently.
The recent assimilation of our NNPGs from various fold, to realistically work upon a political agenda to conclude the long hauled in-conclusive Indo-Naga political settlement is greatly anticipated among the all sections of people. The frequent fixation of every faction upon their own interpretations has and is openly perceived by the people, as a means that would further elongate the objective manifested in our hope, we people have build up and entrusted upon our national workers. From a general point of observation, the contemporary perspectives of the Nagas has been inclined into three sets of perspectives; the state government, the national workers and the people. Although our state of nature delves much deeper, in simple terms, we have the Indian and provisional governments, both established in claims of inundating legitimacy, with the public of Nagaland cornered into the center without much having to make a point towards the right direction.
To be more astute with our present circumstances, we are in fact under the Indian rule, and as our pioneering national workers has asserted through their sacrificial testimony, Nagas are independent and distinct from the Indians – and for this evident truth, we have witnessed the dark times as recorded in our history. But when India finally decided that the political conflict could also be pursued through peaceful dialogue, this shifted the whole momentum of Indo-Naga relationship, more or less during the initial peace process, but more tangible and mutual today – I believe.
With modern form of civilization growing faster and bigger, there is a polite sense of political symbiosis if among the third world nations are to have mutual relationship and work for common cause and interest. Our foremost political pioneers indented in us with their legacy to aspire for a nation and this has never been more augmented in us than today. The Nagas only yearn for Nation because of its necessity but in the matters of behind schedule accession, there is also the caution for hazard due to premature onset, and this is comprehensive for us all. But, this also requires of India to resolve and stand resolute in their commitment to settle and embark on a new shared relationship with the Nagas, with however final manner should a political settlement be agreed upon. In the event of proportion, things being blown, would solicit a posthumous assessment and resuscitation of the movement wherein, is expected, the agenda of Nation should also become more transparent and oriented.
It is also time, the trust deficit inherent among ourselves imperiling and hindering be pondered upon. Unless we are honest with ourselves to stand for the greater cause, trust deficit could still linger within. The people are ready and expects our national leaders to unite in the name of fraternity ; once every leader mutually unite to work for the greater common cause, like the matured onset of the tiles in the domino effect, everyone would follow and we could begin on the march for progressive development.
For a conclusive political settlement, it would require of all the NNPGs to come together along with the set of people’s representatives to accumulate all the perspectives and formulate a right perspective to settle the protracted Indo-Naga political conflict at rest. The attributes apart of political wisdom and understanding or this alone, cannot harbor fruition, but we need all the attributes in unison. The cooperation of the legislators to bridge the gap and facilitate the ongoing paradigms of talks between the GOI and the various NNPGs, so that a final mutual agreement could be concluded, would be noteworthy and gratifying for present and posterity. A concluded settlement could be of original interpretations, and while maintaining all the inherent context of our culture, also keep ourselves intact with the natural history, we share with the world. We are still learning as humans in many aspects and there is more we have to study – life could also be progressive if our political structure reverberates in sensible way.
T. Y. Tikhir