Kedi Haralu
Is it co-incidence a myth or is it our faith in Christ and proclaiming ourselves as Christians that punishes us for our deeds. One may wonder what I am writing or referring to, but sit back and ponder on one statement which is no co-incidence but the truth – why does a Medical Minister never comes back and loses the elections in Nagaland? This is one aspect of our politics where it clashes with our beliefs. Till date, since the day the State was born, apart from one time where elections were not fought due to the opposition and the Underground factions boycotting the elections, the Minister who holds the portfolio of Health & Family Welfare, never returns or wins the elections. Since it would be embarrassing for the families of former Medical Ministers I refrain from taking names. In about 4 decades of our State hood, Ministers holding this portfolio has either expired or lost in the elections. One was from the Angami tribe, he lost and died in debt, then came a Konyak, who too suffered the same fate, then a Sangtam, who would have surely lost, but since the Congress won the elections unopposed, came back to power, but lost during the next elections. Then came a Zeliang, who suffered the same fate. Regardless of circumstances and scenario, they all lost the elections. Now, the million dollar question is, will the present Medical Minister come back a winner in the forthcoming elections? It is time for us to wait and watch. One Medical Minister had escaped the same fate, for he was given a higher portfolio, but again has a bit of this “jinx” rubbed off on him? Again it is for us to sit back and watch.
This has never happened to other States, but Nagaland. Why? Is it because of our Christian belief and that we serve a living God? It is an open secret and a fact that since playing politics in Nagaland is very expensive, and many sell off all they have wile some go to the point of even borrowing, so as to appease the money hungry electorates, thus if they lose, then they are scared for the rest of their lives, but if they win and are in the party that ha the majority, they have only a few years to make up for the money spent and if possible double the amount used. One cannot say that he has never been corrupt while serving as a Minister or an MLA, for Politics in Nagaland is more of a gamble, a business, thus it is a way of life, which every Naga is used to. Thus even the Christian dominated State we live it has accepted this fact as normal and nothing else. Why I point all these out is that, though it is a way of life, it is not the same when one holds the Medical portfolio.
Is it because the money siphoned off the department is the money meant for the sick? The Medical Department has the biggest responsibility, for it is the department we all look to when we get sick or suffer from certain ailments and illness or disease. Thus large amount of money is poured into the department from even International bodies like the World Bank, the UN, the Red Cross and other big International names. The money poured in for the NACO is also a huge amount, which is more then some small departments like the IPR or Stationary and Printing. Money is also poured in for medicines, Nursing Sundries and basic necessities such as Polio Vaccines, Anti Malaria through a wing taken care of by a ZMO (Zonal Malaria Officer), then Iodization, Anti TB medicines, and numerous others. The money used for curative measures is a lot, but the funds sanctioned for Infrastructure and maintaining the Infrastructure is also huge. Hence to make money out of these entities, we are taking money from the sick. As Christians, it is our beliefs that stop us short from taking from the sick openly, but, even the money taken from the department is also the same thing. It may be a rupee or a Crore, but money is money and it is meant for the sick. Hence is this the reason why a Medical Minister never returns? For Bureaucrats it is different, for they are shifted and transferred from department to department and for Doctors and Nurses, it is their duty, hence some way or the other they are let off, but never the Minister holding the Medical portfolio. What I have seen for myself is that it is not only the Minister who suffers the wrath of God, but also those who are close to him politically like his PS or Advisor. For a while they all suffer regardless of where they are and what they do. I think if we look back and delve into our political history, you will understand and see the connection between the Medical Portfolio and Christianity. It is something to ponder about.
I say again – is it just a coincidence or is it a divine intervention? Some logical characters will say that it is just a coincidence, but those who are really dedicated Christians will see it differently. A Ministry would never take money from the sick, but so as to make up for the amount spent, they have to adjust the funds siphoned off, or the Secretaries and Directors will go under the scanner during audit. Hence knowingly and unknowingly they are taking money, if not from the sick, then what is meant for the sick. Yes, business men and medical companies have a business to run, thus they may sell adulterated medicines which are sold to suppliers who buy them due to the cost difference. Say, a 100 mg pill or capsule may only have a 20 or 30 mg content, but it all looks the same. Now the person directly responsible to check this are the pharmacists/quality controller in the department and if they give the clean chit for a price, they too are as guilty as the Minister himself (I hope this ruffles some feathers).
In Conclusion, after seeing and witnessing all these, I prefer to take sample medicines only, for it is only then, that I am positively sure that the medicine is at par with what is written in the cover. With the next general elections just behind the corner, I am sure some Nagas who are politically inclined will find this very amusing, as I do. But again all we can do is sit back and wait as the truth unfolds, after the elections. Then I can write another article based on this fact, with the headline blaring - “I told you so.”
