Aheli MoitraThe thick line between giving rights and denying them cannot be Article 371 (a). “If any development has to happen in this state, the article will have to be revoked,” retorted a state gove

Have you observed how people of power and status continue to use the title ‘Shri’ in the Naga context? Its usage in Nagaland State seems to have increased and is confined to those who hold rank in the hiera

All around the world the boundaries created and left behind by Colonial forces have perhaps had the greatest impact on future generations. The emerging news States that were decolonized unfortunately continued

Along LongkumerConsulting EditorElections are a universal experience leading to the selection of officials or leaders who act on behalf of the people. The system of election may differ but the outcome is the sa

Along LongkumerConsulting EditorDays, months and now years of speculation about a looming crisis in the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Party (NPCC) has always been out in the open, although party bosses have been de

Aheli MoitraWater is precious; we must always save water.The child next door, in class 2 now, reads this out too loud every morning. Yet, every day, he forgets to turn the tap off. His mother replicates the beh

The denial of a people’s inherent sovereign capacity to chart their own destiny has been the primary cause of many complex and violent conflicts. Such conflicts between States and Peoples are characterized by

Sovereignty is usually projected as a concept originating and revolving around the idea of the Westphalian State. It has been used by both Colonial and State powers over unrepresented peoples in negating their

Along LongkumerConsulting EditorCan DAN III be efficient and responsive?Readers may be wondering what this is all about. If you have been reading the post-poll lobbying for Ministerial berths and portfolios, yo

By Aheli Moitra Goldman was a radical feminist. 100 years since she spoke of the rights of women, we are still talking about the ‘gender agenda gaining momentum’ this International Women’s Day. And i

Along LongkumerConsulting EditorGood Economics and Good PoliticsNow that Assembly Election is over and our State returns to some normalcy—the usual traffic jams, power cuts, pothole roads, extortion and the t

Having secured an absolute majority in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the Naga People’s Front's success depends on how they exercise leadership and articulate a shared vision for the future. Making promis

The United Nation’s formation like its member-States leads to the pursuit of power and the struggle for rights. The UN’s 1945 Charter declares: first, their determination “to save succeeding generations f

Along LongkumerConsulting EditorThe Probable List of Cabinet MinistersAfter such a resounding win in the just concluded Assembly Elections, all eyes are now on how the next government will be formed under Chief

Aheli Moitra Galileo presents a surprising paradox in characterizing sets. While the concepts of ‘less’, ‘equal’ or ‘large’ apply to finite sets, or finite possibilities, this inverts itself wh

It is never easy to predict election results unless off course you have the scientific knowhow to conduct exit or opinion polls. Even there, experts have got it wrong where actual results contradict the forecas

The African writer, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o says that language is central to a peoples’ definition in relation to the world around them. It also has a dual character as a means of communication and a carrier of

Procedural democracy does not guarantee justice, nor does it create conditions that are necessary for peace. All it really cares about is statistics, and so long as the statistic reflects the desired outcome, i

Amidst the pouring of appeal for free and fair elections, Nagaland on February 23, 2013 stood to the test of democracy as it voted to elect a new set of representatives and a government of the people. While the

It is very positive to note that Nagas in general and our political class in particular are passionate about God, politics and exhorting one another (in the name of God, development and political vision). In fa