‘Ekjon he sop laga share khaishe’ sings Methanelie Jutakhrie in ACAUT theme song
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | June 17
Strongly reiterating its stance against corruption, the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland Theme Song, composed by legendary Naga singer, Methanelie Jutakhrie was released today by NTC Advisor, Z. Lohe at Rattle and Hum Lounge, Kohima.
Prior to presenting his rendition that carries a message against corruption, Methanelie expressed concern that corruption has taken a deep root in the society while stating that the theme song is his way of showing support to the ACAUT movement.
On the sidelines of the event, he also told The Morung Express that everything is going wrong amongst the Nagas because of corruption. “We are not ashamed or afraid of it”, he stated with regret, and on the theme song, he went on to say that talks about corruption (or anything) eventually fade away but maintained that songs somehow remain and go on. “My only hope is that the people, whether old or young will realize that corruption is wrong through this song”, he said.
Khekiye K Sema (IAS Rtd.) noted that “ACAUT is perhaps, to many people in Nagaland, a ray of hope and a possibility that we Nagas, having travelled all these difficult roads, trying to identify ourselves as a people with dignity have begun to labour after so many years of hardship.” He asserted that “as Christians, we have lost the values of Christians and the lives that we are living from the top to the bottom, that includes all of us, where corruption has just become a part of our lives and the world around us has begun to accept corruption as if it is the natural thing to do.”
He maintained that corruption starts from the ‘selling of our democratic rights-the vote.’ Explaining this, he said because MLAs have spent so much money on purchase of votes, they have no time for real development when they win, as their focus is then, to recuperate the losses they have invested during the election. He went on to state: “I feel sad to watch our Naga people complaining and groaning all over the place, talking about the bad roads, about the backdoor appointments and proxy teachers- you got all the disease and cancer of the society that is rampant everywhere else on account of that one simple fact that we, as a people have sold our democratic rights.”
As such, he emphasized that people actually do not have any right to complain, while adding that, “when you and I have sold our votes, we have more or less been paid and we therefore, no longer have the right to ask the ministers or the parliamentary secretaries to do any developmental work.”
However, he appreciated ACAUT for gathering some courage to address the ills of society. He said people need to dare the system and the national groups as well. “We are fighting for sovereignty, we do not need these many factions and therefore, please for the sake of our children, for the sake of our future, please, all the NPGs unite and we Nagas are willing to pay you tax. We are not saying we will not pay you tax. We said we will pay you tax but only when you are united”, he added.
Sema further appreciated that this message has come out in the form of a creative rendition by Methanielie who believes that ACAUT is upholding a hope for the people of Nagaland. He further expressed hope that the song will be made known to the world as much as to the people of Nagaland and that, the same inspiration and aspiration will grow among the rest of the people who also suffer from the same malady.
In his speech, NTC Advisor, Z Lohe said, “we are small people, we live in congested houses. People do not feel our presence and we do small things. We are not very ambitious and yet what we believe is we are doing something for the defenseless, the neglected and the downtrodden.” Stating this in reference to organizations like ACAUT and NTC, he maintained that they are playing the role of the government and the Naga nationalists while pointing out that they have failed miserably. However, he said, they will continue to fight for a better society.
Those who attended the event included members from the Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Naga Tribes Council (NTC) and well wishers.
