What is Ailing Nagaland

Nagaland has been ailing with multifaceted problems. The pitiable state of affairs we are in may perhaps be credited to the following; The different faction that has crept up in Nagaland over the past many years in the name of national cause has crippled our society. Factionalism is a threat to Naga unity/nationalism and pathway to self destruction. It has given space to anti-social elements to breed. Several members of different faction are more into anti-social activities than for the national cause. Of course many have sacrificed their lives for the cause of ‘FATHERLAND’, but the selfishness and ever insatiable greed’s of some national workers have overshadowed the selfless sacrifice made by their comrades. These people indulge in “FORCEFULL EXTORTION” and are a grave threat to our society. There remains not a single area that is outside the jurisdiction of their extortion. They are one barrier that has ailed and paralysed the progress of our state.So, can we blame the national workers alone for the poor shape of our state??? What about our politicians??? Our politicians are even more corrupt and selfish. They forget that they have been elected by the people to serve them. They come begging for votes during elections making unrealistic promises, giving commitments only to leave us high and dry. They think that the funds meant for development belongs to them and takes full advantage of their tenure in power for their personal gain and hence, “OPPORTUNE EXTORTION”. It has been more than 50 years of statehood and had our dear politicians fulfilled at least 50% of their unrealistic promises, Nagaland would have been much better than what it is now. But unfortunately, Nagaland remains undeveloped due to lackadaisical attitude of our dear politicians. The so called agents of change have become the agents of destructions. The power hungry and money mongering so called political leaders of ours have exploited us to the maximum to their individual benefits. Successive government have betrayed the hopes and aspirations of people of the state with the exception of the present government. By using the word exception, I do not intend the government of the day is doing well; it is still early to judge them and so must be given enough time to prove their worth before writing them off. Our bureaucrats, the silent killers, wash their hands off by blaming the UGs and politicians for the mess and express their helplessness, but what the hell are they doing because all the works, proposals and final implementation is being carried out through them. So, who shuts their mouth??? I am sure money and favour can always silence many and that is “DISGUISE EXTORTION”. Dear Sir, do not get confused here because you are also faring in the same boat with your friends, ‘The UGs’ and your masters, ‘The POLITICIANS’, in fact you are the driver. The so called officers (nagas) in Nagaland are best known for their egoistic and respect commanding nature. I bet you will never get your work done in time without pleasing them. Respect is earned and not commanded, dear Sir. We are done with the colonial era; always remember sir, you are now into the 21st century so please adapt accordingly even if you do not belong here. I don’t understand why many officers in Nagaland, whenever any public come to their office for their office related work, even for a mere signature, think and act as if they are doing favours for them. Hello, respected sir, let me remind you that you are being paid salary to serve the people. By serving them you are doing your duty, you are a public servant and not their master. Do not have the mindset that you are doing something for them and so do not anticipate anything in return because they have not come to your private company to seek your help... Please do your work and serve the public sincerely and do justice to the perks, emoluments and facilities you are enjoying or otherwise make way for your juniors. There are many officers in Nagaland who are not only egoistic, corrupt but also unapproachable. Dear corrupt sir, at least learn from some of your sincere exemplary colleagues. So, can we blame only the UG’s, Politicians and Bureaucrats for the mess our state is in??? Now, the various defunct NGO’s/ UNIONs/ ASSOCIATIONs that takes birth every now and then comes into play; Nagaland is the “Land of NGO’s/ UNIONs/ ASSOCIATIONs” at least for me. I wonder how many NGO’s/ UNIONs/ ASSOCIATIONs are there in Nagaland, from village level to range to area to towns to districts to state level... Roughly some few thousands, I suppose, most of which are opportunist and created for selfish means rather than as pressure groups for general public welfare. So, who funds these so many NGO’s/ UNIONs/ ASSOCIATIONs??? Is it the government??? Correct me, if I am wrong but I think the government alone cannot fund all these NGO’s/ UNIONs/ ASSOCIATIONs, then what is their source of income??? Collections fundraise, donations by politicians, bureaucrats etc, or raking up issues to silencing themselves after receiving payments, which is “BACKDOOR EXTORTION”. So, you, NGOs/ UNIONs/ ASSOCIATIONs must also rid yourselves of the problems before pointing your finger at the UGs. One must always set ones house in order before even thinking of others. Most of the NGOs/ UNIONs/ ASSOCIATIONs in Nagaland only raise to occasion that serves their interest and remains defunct most of the time or should I say, goes into hibernation and hardly wakes up even for public interests of urgent importance. Dear NGOs/ UNIONs/ ASSOCIATIONs, do not talk about unity of all UGs when you are a divided house. “DO NOT PREACH WHAT YOU DO NOT PRACTISE”. So, can we only blame the UGs, Politicians, Bureaucrats, and NGOs/ UNIONs/ ASSOCIATIONs for all the mess??? What about the churches??? The church is no different from others with the exception that they do not extort forcefully. The public is feeling the heat of various fundraise, budgets, collections etc. from different departments of church from youth to women to general, one after the other throughout the year; though it may be voluntary and free-will, the question of whether or not the donors donates happily will be left best for you all to decide. If so, it is well and good if not, at least do not let the church extort in the name of God because it amounts to “DIVINE EXTORTION”. God loves cheerful giver but may not be pleased with obligated donations. It’s good to know that some of the churches have banned all sorts of collections and fund raising which must be followed by others as well. The church leaders must devote themselves to teaching biblical doctrine and preaching the word of God rather than using the church as institution to be marketed to the consumer. The church must refrain from involving in politics or interfering in any government policies and must not in any way play the role of pressure group in any policies of the government. It must also not discriminate between “haves and have not’s” because all are equal in the eyes of the Lord. Most often we see self-styled important members of church rushing to the residents of the rich and powerful to pray for ailing member of the family. Dear church leaders, it will be even more beautiful if you show the same seriousness to the poor people, orphans, and widow etc. who does not have anything to give or offer. The church also unfortunately, ails from VIP culture. We often see the front seats reserved for VIPs in some church; the so called VIPs may come late for church but manages to get the front seats, all with the help of volunteers. While ordinary people who had been there much before the VIPs, to get into the church often returns home without finding a place inside the church as the volunteers deliberately overlook their presence outside the church. I think no one is ‘VIP’ in the eyes of the lord. So, the late comers must occupy the back benches, stand outside or return home if they find the church full. The front seats instead must be reserved for old peoples who could not hear and see properly. If the church ails from these, what good can we expect of other institutions? So, can we blame only the UGs, Politicians, Bureaucrats, NGOs / UNIONs / ASSOCIATIONs and churches for the mess we are in??? What about you and me??? Why do you let all these things happen before your eyes??? Why do you keep silent??? You and I are to be equally blamed for all the mess in the society today. They were not born corrupt; it’s you and me who has let them corrupt. And it’s now up to you and me to stand up for the challenge because extraordinary times require ordinary people like you and me to stand up for the change. So be the change in whatever possible way you could as the absolute worst we can do is to do nothing. Edmund Burke, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. “THINK HARD” if you “CARE”. Hukai H. Zhimo Forest Colony Dimapur.