Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• Yes, Nagas have vast untapped natural and human resources. With the right kind of dynamic and progressive leadership and a vision to develop the Naga people, Nagaland can emerge as one of the most self-reliant places in the region.
• Provided if there is no GUN culture, till then no big corporate will invest ,without investment and infrastructures Nagaland will left far behind with only individual, muscle power encroachment development without far sided vision.
• Nagaland has a huge proven oil & gas reserve in the arrakan basin, which, if utilised with the right tools and mind, would make Nagaland the Dubai of South Asia. The only obstruction is our corrupt uncles and aunties. Besides, Nagas are known for their laziness.
• We have a strong resource base that is yet to be taped. Yes we lack the infrastructure and capacity to harness our strengths in the present and immediate foreseeable future but given the steady progress we are making, I am confident that one day we will become a productive and strong economy.
• Nagas are blessed to have rich bio-diversity, mineral resources and all other kinds of natural ingredients that are needed to become a sufficient and viable economy. Even when we talk about human potentials, with the right kind of attitude, training and exposure, an average Naga can be turned into a skilled labor capable of churning the natural resources into products. But alas, the corruption and deceit by politicians and bureaucrats have only sapped away the natural resources that we have. The lazy attitude of the Naga mind and the wanton craving for easy money with no labor has condemned the Nagas into oblivion. It is time for Nagas to start working hard and to stop depending on others for our own livelihood. I can assure you that given the positive attitude and opportunity, the Nagas can become more than self-sufficient, we can become a leading economy in the region.
• Ethnicity of their culture and self dependent.
• Abundant natural resources, strategic location, land based economy which has seen self sufficiency over the years i.e Nagas have never begged, Nagaland has enough to support the needs of Naga’s but not greed of Naga's!!!
• We have resources of our own and people living in a land has its own creativity of development in its own way.
• Nagas can be self-sufficient, but we need to have a positive attitude and must be willing to fight against corruption, nepotism and favoritism. These corrupt practices are destroying the Nagas and we don’t realize how much it is destroying our society. All those corrupt leaders, please stop your corrupt practices because you are only destroying our future.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• There may be plenty of natural resources and wealth, but what use is it if it is not well utilized in a prudent and wise manner. Nagas lack leadership and it is this problem that is dragging Nagas down into the well. Our greatest weakness is leadership and no matter how rich we may be in natural resources, it all comes to nothing if there is no strong leadership.
• Because Naga society is not matured in the process of civilization.
• We still cannot fulfill our basic requirements eg rice etc how can we stand on our own feet when we cannot even feed ourselves.
• Thy'r busy sucking the money pump by GOI 2 fill their fat shit!!!
• Because we r always dependent on others
• Just Look @ Ones Own Place & See What Do We Have??? Any Goods From NAGALAND??? Naay' Not Even The Government Stands' & They're Talking About This & That Development, But If Only.... If They Can Understand Tooo; Development or Developed Is When One Can Stand In Ones Own Feet--- UNDERSTAND!!!
• Because we Nagas are not united at all.
• Connectivity is very poor, natural resources are very meager, majority of the people are not hard working, too many crooks in the state pretending to be national workers and extorting money in the name of this-that faction. With all these conditions, I see no potential at all.
• Coz da Nagas are the most stupid creatures in the Universe.
• Nagas have resources, but no planning and no infrastructure. Just look at the road system, it is in a pathetic state. Without an efficient transport system, we cannot develop our local economies and we will depend on others for everything. Poor roads is one of the reasons we depend on Assam for everything.
• Because it is embroiled in political mess
• Because of only limited minerals n natural resources to sustain ourself.
• lack of industries, infrastructure.... etc. how can Nagas be self reliant when Nagas run after easy money.
• There is no way Nagas can be self reliant, everyday tons of tons things are imported and nothings goes out
• With the open corrupt practices taking places all over Nagaland, how do we expect Nagaland to grow into a self sufficient society? Corruption has reached its pinnacle and it is only destroying us more and more. It does not matter that we have oil and minerals and other natural resources, because corruption will make sure that the people don’t benefit anything from it.
• Because Nagas lack human capital
• Nagaland doesn't need any assistance from outside for random corruption but sadly, i don't think she has the potential to be self-reliant, seeing the nature and the present state of affairs(despite little untapped resources she may have) . Without slicing the facts into peices what about essential commotities and other needs which are imported? I can see the ugly and starving face of Nagaland in the event of being cut-off from the rest of the globe. I am proud to be a Naga but I am little ashame to talk about the potentiality of my state. So my answer remains No, No and No!
• Nagas are greedy, self indulgent, lazy, don't care as long as there are quick returns. Also we are landlocked, undeveloped.
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• If the defunct industries, viz sugar, paper, mechanized brick, half dead Wazuho cement factory, age-old hydro projects yet to see the light of day, etc, would work and maintain well. Where Mother Nature bestows rich soils and fertile lands with climatic condition invariably conducive to any crop cultivation, farming and plantation besides untapped mineral resources in abundance. Where the sons of the soil are beginning to take a right step in the right direction. Where the entrepreneurial spirit of younger generation is growing widespread. And where as usual the central govt and other sources pumping whopping crores of rupees into developmental activities and infrastructure – building, welfare programmes and schemes, etc. By taking all these facts into account – if the state doesn’t have potential to be self-dependent them whom do you point squarely the needs of blame, govt or policy makers or public or civil societies or GOI or else?
• We think that everything will be solved after we get independence. But this is not true. It is only by working and developing now that independence can be achieved. If we keep waiting for independence to start developing than we will not achieve anything. We have to start working now and making use of the God given resources.
• Because of our situation, Nagas have become very uninspiring and negative. We have a tendency to only look at everything and anything with negativity and cynicism. This is one of the reasons why Nagas are not developing. We are failing to look at things positively. We need to be more creative and open to looking at our situation as opportunities to do better things. Our situation will not change if the people don’t change their attitudes.
• I am a Naga who has studied outside Nagaland and I came back wanting to help and contribute to the people. But just looking at the attitude to life and the lack of basic infrastructure like roads, proper communication facilities and the high dosage of corruption, I feel very discouraged. We are all wasting the abundant blessings of God. Nagas are wasting away their lives.
• We have resources but don’t have good political leadership. Because of poor planning and leadership the limited natural resources that we have is being eaten away and is being misused. Only a few politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen are profiting from them. The whole society must benefit if Nagas are to become self-sufficient.
