Scientists around the world have often spoken about the principle of the “Butterfly Effect.” They tell us that the world of nature is so small and interdependent that a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon rainforest can generate a violent storm on the other side of the world. In today’s world, the principle of the “Butterfly Effect” is most evident and continues to demonstrate itself in different ways. Take for instance, the global financial crisis. The consequences of the crisis are felt in every corner of the world, and no society has been left untouched. The world of human activity can no longer afford to ignore this principle. It has shown how an act as insignificant as the flapping of the butterfly’s wing has life changing consequences – both good and bad.
Today, it would be good for us not to forget two recent happenings in the Naga society, which one hopes will have a “Butterfly Effect” for the healing of the Naga people. In the first happening, on November 17, Naga widows while interacting with The Morung Express spoke of their encounter with forgiveness, and their willingness to forgive those who had robbed them of a full life. This by itself is of great significance, primarily because the act of forgiveness challenges the core of the human heart more than any other virtue; and contextually, because they are women whose husbands had been violently killed in factional violence between Naga groups. The strength the widows’ demonstrate and the generosity they have extended must be acknowledged and valued.
Zara (name changed), a widow of factional violence declared, “I have forgiven my husband’s killers.” This amplifies the painful and liberating tryst with forgiveness and captures the essence of human contradiction and the generous ability of the human heart to do the unexpected and the irrational; because forgiveness itself is an irrational act. It can neither be completely comprehended nor fully understood; and yet, it is the key to healing and has the power to enable hope to rise above despair. The power of forgiveness in human affairs has been aptly summarized by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, when he pointed out that, “There is no future without forgiveness.” If forgiveness then is the key to the future of humankind, it has become necessary for Nagas to grabble with issues of forgiveness, no matter how irrational it may sound because it implies a change of heart.
The second happening occurred on November 20, when leaders of the Tangkhul Naga Long met with the GPRN/NSCN. Again the poignant spirit of forgiveness dawned on the meeting as the two sides in the presence of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation shared their opinions with sincerity and in a transformative manner. Their ability to acknowledge “the paramount need for Nagas to be united in common hope and in the interest of a better Naga future,” indicates an inclusive and humane approach which is willing to “positively overcome differences and to address difficulties in the spirit of forgiveness, so that the yearning for Naga reconciliation is achieved.”
History has shown that war has never been the way to justpeace and yet time and time again humankind has looked and turned to war in the quest for the illusive justpeace. At this moment in history, the spirit of forgiveness has opened a window of opportunity for the Nagas to discern the journey towards reconciliation; so that through this reconciliation, the pathway to justpeace is by peaceful means. And with this renewed hope of optimism, one prays that the spirit of forgiveness will hold on to the butterfly effect in the hearts of every Naga woman, child and man.
