We did it for faraway Japan when they were faced with the deadly earthquake and tsunami in 2011. At that time a concert was organised by Music Task Force (MTF) under the Nagaland Department of Youth Resources and Sports. If we are not mistaken we were able to contribute a total amount of Rs. 8, 18,755/- In their own way, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) also contributed for the people of Japan. Similarly a solidarity concert for Thailand in aid of the flood affected people of Thailand organised by Friends of Thailand and Nagaland Baptist Church Councils and supported by the Government raised one million. So if Nagas could mobilize whatever little for Japan or Thailand, can we not do the same for our next door neighbours—Assam in particular who are in the face of a humanitarian crisis arising out of the devastating floods. At least the Nagaland government has done the right thing by making an appeal towards contribution for relief to victims of floods in neighbouring States of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. On July 10, 2012 when the Cabinet sat down for an important meeting, the fact that the Neiphiu Rio Cabinet, despite other urgent issues facing the State, was able to discuss the problems caused by floods in neighbouring States needs to be appreciated. It also shows that Naga leaders are capable of rising to the occasion, despite the politics, and to be compassionate in the face of human tragedy. We need to applaud the leadership of the present government for their wisdom in deciding to do something for our close door neighbours. We are sure that the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will be forever grateful to the love and concern shown by the people and State of Nagaland.
It may be mentioned that the Nagaland Cabinet has decided to appeal to all Government employees through their respective Heads of Department to contribute one day salary to the Chief Minister’s relief fund for the purpose of giving relief to the victims of floods in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The Cabinet also decided to appeal to the Naga civil Societies and the NGOs to contribute whatsoever they can contribute to the CM relief fund for the same purpose. Our young Nagas who have been doing yeoman service on different occasion should also rise to the challenge in rallying support and contribution towards the initiative of the State government. The Naga Students Federation (NSF) will hopefully also take the initiative as its counterpart in Assam; the All Assam Students Union (AASU) has been rendering us help and support whenever we are faced with our own problems. The NBCC with the help of the hundreds of local churches can also raise small contributions to be collected and put into a common pool and hand it over the CM Relief Fund. Some of us may argue that Nagas have our own problems to deal with and therefore we need not be bothered about other people’s problem. But as Christians the Naga people should do something, however small it may be, to help our neighbours. It is a call not only to our common humanity but also to our moral conscience as Christian believers to pray and give even our smallest for the less fortunate. Japan or Thailand may be there but doesn’t it make more sense to help our next door neighbours in their time of need. Investing in good neighborly relation is the way forward and aiding flood victims in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will not only give us better return in the future but show to the world especially our neighbours that Nagas are compassionate indeed.
