N. N. Jamir
This article should not be misconstrued. It is simply an overview of one’s perception of the situation. To quote Lord Acton, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
When it comes to vanity, I am afraid we can easily give all a run for their money. For truth be told, our people have been blessed with all the prideful, obstinate and egotistic qualities that there is and you will have to agree with me on that point since we all know how it is. The word‘unity’ or ‘sacrifice’doesn’t exist in our vocabulary.Topping this off, we are downright ignorant. No wonder we, the Nagas, have been cajoled into believing that right is wrong and vice versa.
One perplexing point to note is also this uncanny relation we have with fear. With times changing, we have come to this juncture where avoiding one danger increases the risk from many.This ‘Fear’ has made us succumbed to all the demands, that there is, without even batting an eye. Choice- we have simply forgotten that we have one. Voice- we have long deserted it. Truth- we hide from it. Unity- we don’t even know what it stands for. Power- we have misused it. Man- it is merely an image.
Fear, dread, consequences, cost, dismay; all these have slowly eaten away our strength and beliefs. From being the ‘man’ that was meant to lead the way, we have become mere puppets and silent spectators. All we do is sit back, talk big and complain. Have we ever thought about the possibility of actually ‘doing something’ rather than ‘doing nothing’? Living our life as it is, without a care is not living at all. After we are long gone from this world, the next generation will take our place. What will be their fate? What world will they inhabit? Shall we be at rest knowing that we could have contributed to ease their hardship even a bit? Do we still hold steadfast in our beliefs or follow the path filled with thorns?
It is true that time heals all wounds, but unfortunately some wounds can never be heal.Cowering from such risks will ultimately follow the risk of losing your own identity. So throw away your fear and worries; stand tall and for a change, do the right thing before we fall into an abyss. It doesn’t matter even if it’s only ‘you’, for ‘You’ have the power to bring about a difference. Remember “Desperate times make desperate heroes of desperate men.”
