Moameren Pongen
Research Scholar, Nagaland University
Nagaland land of the Nagas, known for their bravery, honesty, hard work, hospitality is fast turning into a "Land of Namesake". Everything we do, we do it for namesake and for one's selfish benefits in the name of God and in the name of the common man.
Roads are constructed for namesake to last few months, government projects are dragged on without any sight of completion; We are a dry state, but alcohol flows in Nagaland; We have excess government employees but its service to public is legendary as most of them have failed to realise that they are appointed to serve the public and not just to draw salary without fulfilling their duties and responsibility. Topping it all, we have the legendary "backdoor system" where one is rewarded for being lazy, unqualified and undeserving.
We have also developed a habit of copying and implementing policies with all the fanfare without a long-term vision resulting in piling up of a large number of non-performing assets. Further, we have proudly declared our state as a Christian state but looking at our deeds there is nothing like a Christian state. Sadly everything in Nagaland starts with a prayer but we end up doing things that will put even the devil to shame.
So the question we need to ask ourselves is how long are we going to live and promote this namesake culture. How valueless are we going to make our society? Our forefathers gave to us the legacy of bravery, honesty, hard work and other priceless values but today we are in the news for all the wrong reasons- scams, corruption, valueless politics and the list goes on. Are we going to pass on the legacy of laziness, nepotism and corruption at the highest level to our coming generation?
It’s high time we end this "Namesake culture" among ourselves and like our forefathers "Walk the talk.” So long we celebrate and promote this "Namesake" and "Photo op" culture our society will be like our churches which is getting bigger and better but sadly its members are fast losing their souls or like the Swachh Bharat campaign where politicians flog in to clean the already clean areas but blame each other for not being able to pay salary to those who are keeping the cities clean since independence.
The responsibility lies with each one of us. Can we dream of a "Better Nagaland"?
