Who is the Winner?

The days of high and low blood pressure, depression and fear are almost gone with the clearance of the storms of election. Yet the residue is still alive. All candidates are awaiting the result with lesser peace of mind. The party workers and supporters are still angry and aggressive. Winning will bring few days of smile, while losing will aggravate the nervous system. The necessity for revenge still runs from head to toe. It boils the blood. The steam comes forth from the ears and the nose. The loser blame the winner, the winner condemn the loser. At the end, the public meet the sad ending of losing the game of life. The real winner is nowhere to be seen again. He disappears only to be seen after five years of paradise living. The common people continue to live their normal lives in silence. This is the game of politics; a game played by many unprofessional players. Yet the winner will still be called winner irrespective of his deeds. It is good to examine the mode of election in Nagaland. If election is conducted every five years, than every fifth year will witness violence, vandalism and bloodshed. It will become a normal routine. Nagas will happily accept the year of destruction called ‘election.’ Unless there is violence, revenge will find no place in the society. Unless there is vandalism, the joy of election is not fulfilled. Unless there is bloodshed, it cannot be called election. Shall we allow Nagaland to continue in this series of tragedy? How many lives are snapped and how many houses are destroyed during election? Who shall be held responsible for such act? No one knows. The culprit can become the winner. The winner can become the victim. The qualities needed to win the election are bravery, violence, aggressiveness and doubled-tongued. Somehow, the game must be won to appease the gods. He becomes the winner. Nagaland must implement traditional system of election. We need not consume the poison of Indian system of election. Most politicians try to win by hook or crook, life or death. They easily induce the commoners towards violence by feeding them day and night. Some villagers in Nagaland were happy to be fed for almost a year. Yes, they must become healthier and stronger to face the enemy. Material happiness in many other forms are supplied at the doorstep to tempt the innocent soul towards wrong living. Some stood firm, while others fell instantly. The fallen ones are also called winners. They have won many friends except their family and close relatives. The highest rate of employment is seen during the time of election. Every unemployed youth is entrusted with some responsibility, from party President to cook. After election, they go back home and continue to yawn inside the kitchen unemployed. On the other side, the women folk become so energetic. They check the flow of liquor in many places but have no single complain in receiving illegal money. There are numerous stern faces to check liquor. They suddenly turn into smiling faces to receive some cash in hand. I have not heard or seen the women folk with a huge catch of money during election. Have you? They know when to close and open their eyes. For some people, drinking is evil, money is good. Whatever is good is also clean. This is called Clean Election. You are clean, the rest are unclean. Such people are the winners of election. All the above winners are in fact losers of self-control. Failure to control oneself can lead us to control others in an aggressive manner. The life of the common man is equally important as the candidate. Even in the darkest occasion, life must be respected. A home made of love and care should not be destroyed. Every life is the life of God, and every home is the dwelling place of God. Whoever goes against another man is also against God. Let us not allow election to dictate our life. We are all greater than election. With prayerful condolences to those who lost their lives and homes during this election. Rev. Fr. G. L. Khing