Mapu Jamir I.A.S. (Retd.)
Dimapur, Nagaland
A time has come not to question what government of India has done for Nagaland but a time has come to question what government of Nagaland has done for Nagaland. It is said that an idle state travels very slowly and poverty soon overtakes it. There is enough for everyone’s need in the state but does not have enough for everyone’s greed, bribery and extortion. This is the apathy that eats into the very vital chord of our life. State of Nagaland believes that all crucial issues of public importance belong to rulers in Delhi and they have no responsibility to solve them. They are not used to taking decision on their own. They look to somebody else to take decision for them. Unfortunately, there is nobody to look up to and this is our tragedy.
Bible says, “The stone which the builders rejected or neglected has become the head of the corner.” The Vedas say, “Man can live individually but can survive only collectively.” These are holy words and have universal truth. But who is listening. Every Naga is a leader and every Naga is a general. A leader without followers or a general without soldiers cannot progress and cannot go to war. This foothill road which has been neglected for long has great potential for growth and economic development for the present generation as well as for all generations to come.
Naga society has put loyalty more to the individual or family than loyalty to society. In Nagaland the more important you are the less answerable you are. There is no accountability. In the western world people care more for society than we do. They generally sacrifice more for society. The result is better quality of public and community life. There is respect for the community. Here we don’t even think once to destroy public interest. That is why everything public is sub-standard here. If we have to make progress this attitude has to change. We see many serious problems around us but do not try to solve them because everybody wants to be the thinker and not the doer. All of us are aware of the deplorable roads and electricity in the state. But we behave as if the problem does not exist or as if they belong to someone else even though they are within our reach and capabilities.
Let me cite an example. Most of us know the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Inspite of 81 Lok Sabha MPs and several Prime Ministers from the state, Uttar Pradesh is still a backward state in India. Several years ago an Expressway was constructed between Delhi and Agra with green corridor along the road. It not only acts as a safe guard against the rising pollution but also boosts economic advancements to the poor farmers in western UP. Today the city of Delhi depends on the agricultural produce from this region. This inclusive growth has provided thousands of alternative jobs to the youth. Another ambitious Expressway is under way now from Agra to Lucknow. This 302 km. long Expressway will cover the entire western UP. The expected travel time between Agra and Lucknow is about four hours and is designed for a speed of 120 kmph. This Expressway will provide fast and convenient transportation with significant savings in fuel and time. It has provision for green belt, road maintenance service station, under passes for pedestrians and animals, rest houses, restaurants, multi service stations and petrol pumps. This is going to transform the economic scenario of western UP by creating immense job opportunities.
Infrastructure is the key to economic growth and employment. Development project in transportation sectors like highways and railways will be the area of mega economic activities. The foothill road bordering the state of Assam will boast the economic advancement of the entire state of Nagaland. This foothill road when ready will connect all the state highways and the national highways within the state. This road can be extended to Jalukie in Peren district. The foothill road offers a more stable soil and not subject to land sliding and other vagaries of nature. The length and breadth of this road will serve the entire rural belt of Nagaland and give them a fresh breath of a better economic advancement. The produce from this region will feed the needs of entire Nagaland and accordingly Nagaland need not depend on supply of most of the essential commodities from outside the state.
The ownership of cultivable land rests predominantly with the non productive farmers. The scope for development in rural sector is yet to open up. This is not an exaggeration. The term development does not mean financial well being of the few only. It is the ability of an individual to decide upon matters relating to education, health, standard of living and social affiliation and this dictates the term development. Removal of structural barriers to production and distribution of benefits among those engaged in production will strengthen the tillers and the toiling hands of the rural poor. This can be facilitated through the foothill road.
The entire geo-physical area of the foothill road is agricultural. The aim should be to obtain self sufficiency in rice production and to bring about crop pattern diversification to make up for deficiencies in production of certain crops in the state. With good road connectivity agro-based production will increase and this will encourage bringing bio-diversity technology and modernized techniques for crop preservation and its marketing benefitting farmers on permanent basis. Nagaland need not look out for help in food grains. Side by side one can put stress on planned culture of fruits, flowers and varieties of vegetable production including coconut, betel nut and leaves.
Animal resources can be developed along the entire road. This is a very important sector for the state and will act as a tool for the growth of rural economy. There is considerable gap between demand and supply of products of animal origin. There is huge deficit in piggery farming, dairy products, poultry, etc in the state. One can combat the challenge of poor quality, low productive non descript livestock and poultry breeds by constant veterinary care and genetic upgradation.
Fishery sector can be developed along the foothill road. Initiative through exploitation of all the available water resources and also by motivating rural and urban people to take up pisiculture will yield encouraging results. Fishery sector has a significant role in employment generation and socio-economic upliftment of the rural areas in the state, besides, supplying nutritional needs of the people.
Foothill road can be a green corridor for the state. Forestry can be developed in the upper ridges. Herbal plantation too can be boost up along with agro-forest based research centre. Later on, this will beef up forest tourism by setting up of eco-tourism spots based on respective ambience and surroundings.
This road will attract huge road transportation. Buses, taxis, goods laden trucks will ply 24x7 and even auto-rickshaws will ply for short distance transportation. There will be whole sale markets along the road and will help industries to procure raw materials. Farmers’ colony, and Small Township can crop up along the road. Rest houses, restaurants, service centre, petrol pumps, etc will grow along the road generating immense opportunities for the local people.
The above projects rest entirely on the engagement of the people for its success and not just the initiative but also devolution of benefits to the people. Government can frame policies but its success depends entirely on strong monitoring. This is not possible without active community participation and community ownership. However, all developmental initiatives will come to a meaningless exercise unless people themselves are determined and willing to take care of the place they live in and enrich their minds and souls by relentless desire to pursue healthy economic growth. This foothill road will put the state on the Highway of Economic Revolution.
