Niketu Iralu
Tuisem Shishak has done a most difficult thing in his “A Confession”. He has done a thankless job guided by a sense of urgency for his own people and the whole Naga family. The Tangkhul Long has had to do a most difficult thing in responding to what he launched. Every one of our Naga tribe Hohos would have done the same thing were they to find themselves in the position of Tangkhul Long. This we need not doubt. Whether all tribe Hohos would have gone as far as excommunication is anybody’s guess.
We must not underestimate the awesome grip that our instinctive tribal narcissism still has over all of us. We need not, indeed must not, condemn this powerful force of self-preservation at work in us, recognizing it for what it is. But truthfulness and transparency must not be sacrificed to appease this primordial urge. That would stunt our growth. This wild energy with which we are born is transformed and made our strength and ally when we allow the voice of truth in our soul and conscience to win and guide us. This is said to be the wondrous plan of our Creator for our physical, mental, moral and spiritual growth as individuals, peoples and civilizations.
Could or should Dr. Shishak have said what he has said differently and by a different process? People seem to hold diverse views on these valid questions.
But what is absolutely certain is that what he has said so transparently as a Tangkhul has profoundly challenged all the other Naga tribes, especially the “advanced” ones. They are asking themselves, “Then what about us?” They should. After all Tangkhuls are not the only ones in need of acknowledging their wrongs and making amends, calling a spade a spade. This fledgling process of turning the searchlight on one’s own wrongs and failures instead of keeping it only on others, (now developed to a fine deadly art), gives hope for our future. Its significance for the healing and restoration of goodwill among Nagas as a people cannot be overstated. Let us nurture it.
The process of “Honest Conversations” that has started in our society will be seen in due course as a gift from heaven. Tuisem Shishak’s obedience to his conscience has given it depth and direction. The value of this kind of conversation has been so well expressed by Chingya Luithui from Columbia University in New York (Morung Express September 27). He writes, “The reason why freedom of expression is so crucial is because of its intrinsic centrality to the quest for truth…. Our society, and especially our generation, carry the burden of too many isms. Freedom of expression is the most effective way to counter these divides… Instead of nipping off ideas, we need to encourage debate and discussion. Often, this will involve having to deal with uncomfortable truths and painful realities. But we need to do this if we are to grow as a nation… We need to be able to challenge and examine ourselves to make sure that we weigh up to the expectations of each other, for the Naga society”.
I salute his priceless thoughts for healing and restoration of our relationships. Honest conversation is really the beginning of spiritual breathing and growth. Let us inspire one another to do it so that the obstacles on our path may be removed. We need to help one another to walk on this untravelled road to our future. There is no other road if we are to go forward. (29/9/’07).
