[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that some of our Naga brethren tend to practice their life style on the basis that might is right. Though he did not say so directly, it is well understood that he did not mean any particular person(s) or any organisation underground or overground or whatever. He said this while addressing the inaugural session of the 16th Biennial general conference of All Nagaland College Students Union (ANCSU) at Phek Town on October 3.
The main point is that a good number of Nagas tend to do things by force and unabashedly. From this it follows that anything that is done by force on the basis of might is right implies a lack of respect for the rule of law not only of the government but that of society as well.On the other hand, a society is said to be civilized where there is respect for the rule of law and hence by extension, security. To live within the parameters of the law also means to have self control of emotions, frustration, anger and anguish. There is nothing that cannot be resolved by a reasonable expression of one’s wishes through peaceful yet forceful (not violent) means.
In this context, it is very important that the older generation must motivate and encourage the younger generation who today comprise mainly of the students to pursue education to the best of their abilities. The students have been described by Roads and Bridges Minister Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu as the “agents of change” for the better of course.
By education we mean not only in terms of quantity but also of quality as well. Knowledge is as vast as the universe and no one can learn all of it in a life time. However, the choice is for the youngsters to decide on their goals and strive for it relentlessly. Everyone has his/her ambition and to achieve it is possible provided that he/she does not waver from the objective halfway for whatever reason/excuse.
The Nagaland State government has declared that education is one of its top priorities and because we are a welfare State, there are more students attending government run schools and colleges. True, young ones belonging to reasonably well off families tend to attend private run schools which are better run.
It is an irony that some teachers in government institutions have not been very exemplary. Why? Perhaps they feel that they have a steady and sure shot job and being locals become lackadaisical. They are also better paid than teachers in private schools and colleges.
As such, sometimes one tends to feel that yearly awards for teachers may possibly be a sort of mockery (with due respect to the sincere ones). But fact is fact. On the other hand, it is very apparent that although teachers in private schools are lesser paid than their government counterparts, the results of private school students are generally far better.
Government schools have so many facilities such as the NCC (National Cadet Corps) and for which they have first priority over private schools and colleges. This is to encourage the students on self-discipline which would give them added qualification and concession in various ways. Besides, the school fees are much more reasonable and well within the budget of even the poorest families.
So, why is it that anything to do with government connection is always taken for granted? This is not only true in the field of education but public places and property. A case in example being our public transport space.
Invariably the walls are littered with lime and stained by paan and tobacco consumers. Even the seats of NST buses have graffiti all over it. This is just to cite one instance but overall it all implies a gross lack of civic sense and disregard for public property.
Moreover, in the capital, various organisations including some banks have constructed urinals for wayfarers and that concept is good. Unfortunately, not only the public but the organisations concerned have not bothered to cater to drainage system and so the urinals are wet and stinking of excreta—and that too in the capital Kohima Town itself.
Therefore, education is not only acquiring bookish knowledge but to also apply it to every day life in such a way that will benefit the society as a whole. In this regard the government has been trying to encourage the youth to take up enterprises in the private sector through facilitated loans. Unfortunately, here too, most loanees default on payment even in installments
All said and done, there is a quotation below the Old Assembly which reads: “The difference between Singapore and Nagaland is lack of civic sense.”
Hopefully the youth will change all these shortcomings for the better in the near future.
