Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 13
With a literacy rate of 67.11% (as per 2001 census), Nagaland represents one of the highest literacy rates in the country. But, it is quite possible to be literate and fundamentally ignorant. Consequently, the state scores one of the lowest on awareness about various rights. The number of educated is progressively increasing but, it is observed, people are still live in ignorance about their rights. Nagas have become easy targets of social, legal and human rights violation. Yet, most people choose to ignore them or remain silent.
Joshua Sheqi, a lawyer and member of a non-government organization called Youthnet, has traveled across Nagaland creating awareness on the right to information. A powerful tool to check corruption, Youthnet has taken a leap in revealing huge discrepancies in various government departments in Nagaland. Joshua says many people in the rural areas of the state are surprised that there is something called the ‘RTI.’ The legal right has been an eye-opener for many people but Joshua believes that there still has to be more sensitization on RTI in the state.
There is a certain imbalance of growth in society due to ignorance and lack of awareness among citizens. Activists believe this could have far reaching consequences and sink the state further into corruption. A state deep rooted in corruption, the people of Nagaland instead of claiming their rights have disowned them, they say.
“Nagas have become very accommodative to corruption,” a human rights activist, Aloto Kiho says. Whether it is violation of basic human rights, legal or social rights, Nagas have a complacent attitude and seek an easier way out- to keep silent, he asserts. Others also agree that Nagas not only are unaware but also complacent and not responsible when it comes to asserting their rights. “It is observed during most times that people are aware their rights are violated but don’t want to be the complainants, consumer right activist, Kezhokhoto Savi says.
Savi says awareness is developing very slowly but things have improved considerably over the last few years. He gives credit to the media for bringing about the change. President of the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organization, Savi, encounters everyday traders taking advantage of the ignorance of the public. Unaware that their basic social and economic rights are being violated, Naga public continues to fall prey to these traders. “Ignorance is not bliss, it keeps you in the dark about a lot of things,” one lawyer says, while many agree it is devastating for the society and appealed to mass media to create more awareness on peoples’ rights.
By providing rights to citizens, government agencies are required to impart education of but it is observed the public rely more on outside agencies that work for specific causes. The dependency factor is yet another reason why Nagas cannot come out of their shell. Youthnet has and continues to face this problem. Once such agencies begin to take up social causes, the public thrust their responsibility on them.
Activists say it is important to strengthen the government agencies and departments so that awareness to the masses will be far-reaching. Activists also say that the government should as a matter of priority commit to the various resolutions, acts and rights. On the other hand, citizens must also to exercise their rights with responsibility and not be redundant, the activists say.
