The middle section with readers’ views is one part of the newspaper that many people pause over for some considerable time, as most write-ups concern some controversy or hot issue. One thing that bothers me is the authenticity of a writer’s identity. Will it not be funny if someone from mainland India furnish his/her surname as Indian the same way some of us furnish ours as Naga, Angami, Lotha, etc. Expect for some VIP’s who use well known initials, most Nagas use their full names which is something unique because just by looking at a name and surname, we can make out from the tribe down to the village and family to which a person belongs.
The present 33% reservation issue is getting hot and no doubt women are advocating while men are opposing. Already there are opinions chipping in from the likes of Aba Angami, Naro Dimapur, etc. (sorry if I have missed some others). Strictly speaking, Aba is supposed to be the name of a male in general usage since it lacks the letter “ü” and who knows how many Aba’s the Angamis will have and for that matter who knows how many Naro’s the Aos will have not only in Dimapur but elsewhere.
As for me, the reservation bill is already passed and I doubt whether it can be undone easily or not but reservation or no reservation, Naga society does not discriminate women and there is no denying that women are at par or even better than men in many fields. So if a woman decides to go up against a male candidate in a particular ward, is the probability not 50-50? Why then look for the easy passage through 33% reservation while men have to shell out lakhs (or crores) of rupees. Forget about 33%, women can own even up to 100% of the seats provided they are willing to take the risk because like it or not, money will play a dominant role in any election. Now that…..will be PARITY.
Yours faithfully
Kethosituo Mepfhüo
Kohima Village
