Witoubou Newmai
Naga society needs discourses that lay emphasis on the moral crisis that society is currently passing through. Among other things, the dearth of positive stories in the society and the Naga dilemma are attributed to moral decay. Consequently, Nagas’ capacity to consider substance and harmony, amidst discord, is inhibited by this moral crisis. Many Nagas, as a result, consider a movement as genuine as that of the Naga campaign for dignity as another ‘cock and bull story’.
At this critical moment the Naga society cannot afford to attach an ‘affair of monotony’ to such argument. Instead of seeking a diversion path, the society needs to nurture the ‘monotonous Naga conversation’ for transformation that promises the conversation of change and growth in terms of morality and integrity.
For long it is the issue of integrity and morality that is smothering every chance of Naga peoples’ elation at honestly reasoning together over the common aspiration. It is not necessarily the dearth of strategies or resources today’s Naga society is cursed with.
As commented often by many people, quite a good number of Naga leaders and organizations are piggy-backing on the Naga political issue to serve their individual interests. Expectedly, in a society filled with various elements masquerading as the ‘truth,’ and scavenging for opportunities with cock-eyed posture, every experience is hellish. The structure of Naga society, thus, becomes grubby with sordid lucre by the whole affair. In short, seized by the intoxicating craze to take credit for every little gain, if there is any, all bonds of responsibility have been cast off.
As the Naga society continues to spiral downward into deeper moral crisis with rising hordes of ‘hollow men’ alarmingly overwhelming the few conscience keepers, it has become imperative for every concerned Naga to realise that the only way to come out of the present crisis, is to save the latter species from total extinction, however daunting a challenge or situation it might be.
Now, there are no quick fixes or smart strategies to address the challenge of hypocrisy. The Naga tragedy is that, today’s Naga society considers ‘being morally sound’ as another clichéd slogan because it no longer stimulates the society.
Such is the degree of moral crisis, Naga society is not in a position to appreciate someone’s progress propelled by talent and hard work. Or for that matter, instead of raising eye brows in disapproval on the exploits of the powers that be, the society rushes to applause them thereby a sort of an aura around these masquerading elements is created.
This column, although harping on the obvious, attempts to bring back the relevance of morality and integrity in Naga society. As stressed above, smart strategies are no viable means to soothe the moral crisis.
We may begin by introspecting why the deep understanding of distinction between right and wrong, fake and genuine, is fading from the collective Naga mind.
