Zeluosielie Kehie
Sovima Village, Chümoukedima
In the midst of rapid change and modern progress, it is becoming increasingly evident that our society is losing its moral and spiritual foundation. Today, many Nagas seem to be living according to their own wishes and desires, driven largely only by the pursuit of worldly wealth, comfort, and pleasure. Our traditional values of honesty, humility, and community spirit are slowly fading into the background and being replaced by materialism, greed, pride, and self-interest.
We often talk about development, peace, and unity, yet our actions tell a different story. Moral decay has silently crept into our homes and communities and we find ourselves trapped in cycle of selfish ambition and material gain (power, fame, recognition and position) instead of working together for the common good that has overshadowed the true purpose of leadership-to serve the people with humility and integrity. Many are deeply entangled in politics-not for service, but as a path to personal gain. Some have fallen into the traps of immorality, illegal wealth, and addictions to spurious alcohol and drugs. Corruption, greed, and unethical practices has become so common/normalized that it no longer shocks us as it has become a part of everyday life while love, honesty, integrity and truth are often disregarded and unity among our people have faded, replaced by division, hatred, suspicion, bitterness and rivalry.
What is even more painful is the growing division among our people. We have become a people fragmented by tribes, countless parties, factions and ideologies-whether in politics, the Naga freedom movement, or even religion and constantly opposing one another or proving each other wrong than on finding common good. We formed groups and alliances not to build unity, but often to compete or stand against one another. Love for one another is slowly disappearing. Brothers/sisters have become enemies, love and trust are replaced by suspicion and resentment, and the spirit of oneness/unity has worn-out. This is not who we are meant to be. The Nagas have always been known for our courage, honesty, and community spirit.
It is time for us to pause, repent and reflect. Real and lasting change will not come through politics or wealth alone. Our society will only find peace, stability, and prosperity when we humble and turn our hearts back and faith to God, obey His words and to moral integrity. Repentance, humbleness, live truthfully, walk in righteousness, seek forgiveness and love one another are the principle steps toward healing our land, then and only then, the Nagas will rise again as one people under God’s grace and blessing. Our society will only healed, renewed and flourished when we rebuild our moral and spiritual foundations. Let us rise above selfishness and division, revive our sense of brotherhood/sisterhood, honesty, and respect, then our future generations will inherit a society rooted in justice, unity, prosperity, and peace.
The time for self-reflection is now. The choice is ours-to continue down the path of moral decay, or to turn back and walk in the light of truth.
