Kotso Medo
Dimapur
Time has come as the election commission announced the date of our Armageddon. All the middlemen or should I say muscleman are on the prowl to look out for their victims. In a state where celebrity status is enjoyed by the politicians who once comes to power, lives a princely lifestyle. And at the time when there is a constraint on resources, we may have to witness several crores of rupees being bet on the people to be in power. As Michael Phelps said,” Money is a dream, a fantasy as alluring as the Pied Piper.” It is the universal desire to stick to the comfort zones, as it means avoiding all challenges and difficulties and continuing with status quo. No doubt, temptations are at the door. The days are drawing out and the clock is ticking every citizen to demonstrate their mandate for change. Thus, to fact the matter, let us not become victims of corruptions and slave to money. We have seen Election as a game of pride, played between candidates over money for far too long.
During this few years, Nagaland had seen rampant corruption in almost all areas and departments over every projects and schemes. Besides, where are the answers about those developments that they speak of before us? Many come for job interviews and exams but little did they know that the vacant jobs are already filled, in the form of nepotism and corruption. The colossal amount of funds from the Centre are lost with little or no clue or should we say, to satiate the lust for power of our so called leaders who are always on the prowl to grab loaves and fishes of office at the cost of poor people they claim to represent. In reality, there is a politician – bureaucrat nexus to create new ‘green pastures’ behind the façade of bringing different schemes and projects for the enhancement of their official, political and material status. It is not a secret that the virus of corruption had reached every nook and corner of the state not just in government system but in many sectors of institutions, NGO’s, organizations etc. And over the years, many have become professionals and make masterpieces of their work as never had been caught before the eye of the people and public.
And as it looks today, our democracy had become merely a written word in our books. In what is perhaps one of India’s most communal, polarizing, divisive and personalized election campaigns, we are told far too often that this election is really about development, yet, none of our political parties clearly defines development either in their speeches or manifestos. So what do they mean by development and who is it intended for? The right to speak out, do our choice, go where we want etc... are all been denied in one or the other way. Political parties would put restrictions on their members to speak or go where they want. Our village, community, tribe etc would summoned us and not allow our democratic rights. We talk of peace but sadly we don’t have it. All this happen before us for we failed to elect the right leaders. Lately, we have elected a leader who thinks they can do anything with their power. It is a wake up call that our leader doesn’t come from the background of goon’s, traitors or liars. But above all, what can be happier than to have a leader following the footsteps of Jesus. Serving all kinds, moulding and guiding the weak, the poor, cleaning the mess of others, helping and aiding the sick and needy. Such is the condition we needed at the moment of our state to bring evolution and revolution.
Politics in the last few years has become the cesspool of corruption, criminalization and total opportunism. It has become a thriving business to become rich; bureaucracy has become lethargic, corrupt and unaccountable. And moreover the picture always turn otherwise and fake, where a clean and transparent public figures never flourished instead who after getting elected started leading extravagant life-styles over a night and indulged in various excesses. While many citizens across the state continue to suffer from an insecurity of divisions, social exclusion and the stigma of backwardness because of deep-seated symbols of domination and cultural stereotypes. Factors like regional and local interests, tribes and language, khels, nepotism and immediate gains are dominating our thoughts and actions. Economic mobility, political leverage and legal provisions are therefore necessary but not sufficient conditions for a fuller realization of social justice. Looking around, we will discover perhaps to our amazement demands unity and unifications. After all, every people should keep in mind that they are not represented by a person whose morals and ethics are questionable.
I’m not a fan of NPG’s neither an enemy of any but I’m a Naga, in blood and heart yet it does not changes anything if my character and personality speaks otherwise. Our present generation has everything we wanted but at the same time, we have everything that we do not want to. Greed, pride, corruption, killing, rape, extortion, bribery, nepotism etc, all happening day in and day out everywhere in our small state, so called ‘Christian State’. And we with so many organizations, NGO’s come so many leaders which give birth to divisions. So let us think where or what actually went wrong? Is it the government system? Is it the politicians? Is it the church? In case you still think government and the leaders, the next time when you pressed that ‘Button’, don’t go over money, don’t go over greed, don’t go over pride but go over ‘Change’, change that bring smile, happiness and a new life around us.
Our educated youth’s, expert in fields, specialist in subjects, merits etc have fled away from home for jobs in metro’s to make their living as there is no competition or room in our state. Thus, the state loses this source of people who can make difference and bring change, had there been fair trail of selections and competitions. And thus perhaps, the mistakes of our past should haunt us not to repeat again. And perhaps by now we should re-think NBCC Clean Election.
To all my fellow young and old of our state, we have studied; learn what is good and bad.
We have the POWER! The Power to say ‘NO’, the Power to determine the dawning of a new day. The power to herald a clarion call to move forward, onward, upward, together and claim it. YES WE CAN!
Come this election, whatever background you are from, whatever tribe, whatever village, let us put that aside for once and without looking our left and right, stands firm in our right decision. Remember, our education cannot be cost at the price of a few thousands for a vote. Don’t we have enough? Let us see to the day for good educational institutions, better roads, better connectivity, good hospitals, and fair exams….so on and so forth.
Let us be reminded of the People’s movement in Bahamas,” No longer will our birthrights and those of our unborn grandchildren be for sale as we will develop our talents, godly gifts and inheritance, as wise and faithful servants of God and the people of the Bahamas who we pledge to serve.”
Sounds familiar? Think about it.
