It is appalling to think that a people who strongly asserted their belief in values of freedom and free will, the very people who resisted all forms of domination have become complacent. You can sense that despite their frustration, people are not as able to confront the status quo that is neither of their making nor choosing. And yet, being surrounded by its familiarity has become comfortably numb. Perhaps its familiarity has lulled them into complacency? Has the Naga will and resolve been completely dissolved? Have Nagas lost their sense of direction?
Indeed, is everyone accepting this minimal life of poor quality and deteriorating conditions. Does anyone want to have a dignified quality of life and well-being that will prepare the next generation for what they will face? Is anyone asking the existential question about the Naga future as a people? This is not a question of party or faction or tribe or ideology. It really is a question of common concern!
Sadly, despite the rich cultural worldview, traditional wisdom, faith and experiences one can turn to for inspiration and guidance, there seems to be no voice or transformative leadership willing to draw from this rich repository of resources and bring the people together. In the midst of our precarious situation, many leaders are busy engaged in self-justifications rather than self-criticisms, and self-interest rather than finding common ground and building trust.
All life on planet Earth is interconnected and interdependent, every part is vital to each other in order to be vibrant, survive and continue the cycle of life. Nagas are part of the whole, and as indigenous people they honor the land, water and air and understand these interconnections and interdependencies. The Naga people can learn to trust each other again, to reconnect and rely on each other for their existence. Political, social, community and church leaders can reach other to each other, unite, and empower one another to overcome this unacceptable state of helplessness, gain confidence and guide the people to find their strength, then act in accordance to what needs to be done and not what leaders want.
Ironically, despite these depressing conditions, this is the opportune time for Nagas to unite and collectively formulate a genuine Naga alternative to the status quo that can effectively and incrementally address the present unacceptable conditions. Cooperation among Nagas is possible.
