Of text books etc…etc…and the systems failure
Dr. Asangba Tzüdir
The “anthropological machine,” a term used by the Italian philosopher Agamben, is a description of the dichotomy between man and animals in the form of a working entity, the machine. In his reading of the “anthropological machine” from both ancient and modern perspective, the ancient “anthropological machine” worked by ‘humanizing the animal’ wherein the outsiders, barbarians and slaves were treated like animals in human form having human features but nowhere close to being a human while the modern “anthropological machine” worked on the opposite of the ancient by way of ‘animalizing the human’. The extermination of the Jewish people during Nazi Germany is a classic paradigm of the modern form.
It is this “anthropological machine” that creates a missing link between human and animals as well as creates a divide in terms of value thereby ethical and human considerations are easily compromised. Contextually in our present Naga society, a similar “anthropological machine” seems to be in operation where those in positions of ‘authority’ holds the switch to the machine even as nonchalant minds that are comfortably nestled in one’s own comfort zone are stuck in certain mindsets in the same notion of thought. The faculty of critical thought that allows the mind to envisage possibilities and chart alternatives seems to be shut off. It has set a dangerous precedent where any ‘systems failure’ is simply seen as a norm even as its citizens are slowly led into the ‘Naga Caravan’ of ‘dehumanization’ or ‘animalization.’
Looking at the state of affairs in our Education department as a case in point, so much is happening in the struggle for existence, let alone a qualified life. Teachers especially under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) are denied a right to life through pending salaries; Hindi teachers too; the ongoing struggle by the concerned teachers selected under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) for want of appointment letters is another telling episode of a painful story. But what is more concerning and compelling is the fact that even as the first quarter of the academic session closes in, the students in Govt. Primary Schools are yet to get their text books. Schools seem to have become a ‘killing field’ for the “anthropological machine” to operate where both teachers and students in their own rights are either ‘animalized’ or ‘dehumanized’ through the denial of their basic ‘rights.’
The unprecedented delay in the delivery of school textbooks could have been avoided. The comment of the Director of School Education on his helplessness about the delay stating that “things were being handled by the higher-ups” is just another woeful tale of such ‘helplessness.’ Considering the huge number of textbooks to be printed, it defies all logic on the part of the Education Minister to place the trust of such a voluminous job on one single business firm. But what good is a blame game when there is Pilates bowl of water to wash off while students and teachers continue to suffer. The short-term effects will be very painful indeed but the long-term effect induces a more painful effect through the production of a life that is not allowed to live, thereby, a form of death though not departed.
So long as this “anthropological machine” continues to exist in our systems, change will never happen and this machine needs to be switched off. It is through such machines that the very edifice of violence on humans through denial of rights is legitimated and built. In order to stop this machine, our very thought processes and mindsets should change because this machine is deeply implanted in our society and we ‘helplessly’ or ‘ignorantly’ or ‘complacently’ treat its presence as a norm. It is not a simple task because it is deeply rooted in our fundamental beliefs. Thus, our fundamental beliefs needs to evolve within a value oriented system and start treating the ‘other’ or one another as an equal human with value and dignity and not a human waiting to be ‘animalized’ or ‘dehumanized.’
For now, the denial of the rights of the teachers and students is just a case of the many “anthropological machines” working towards systems failure. Thus, within the longings and possible solutions for change, there is already a ‘permanent disorder’ in the system. It is not a philosophical propaganda but one that throws questions concerning human life and its associated moral dilemmas.
(Dr. Asangba Tzüdir is an Editor with Heritage Publishing House. He contributes a weekly guest editorial to the Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
