Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• Despite my negative feelings to the Naga civil society organizations, I say that they have done a commendable job. Nagaland is a dangerous proposition and not the easiest place to work in. There are too many forces for and against and to try and work for the Naga people is not the easiest of task. The Naga civil society is disorganized, they have no leader worth the name, they have their issues all mixed up and don’t appreciate the sufferings of the common public enough. They only seem to be concerned about the big issues. These are my frustrations with them. But still then, I acknowledge their role, because without them, I wonder what Nagaland would be today. It could just so easily have been the Wild Wild West. Thank goodness for them, they have made a very bad situation bearable for now, at least. I hope the Naga civil society will recognize their own weaknesses and work to correct and improve themselves.
• Yes, Nagas are reawakening from our self imposed stupor! AZ Phizo ignited the fire and united all Nagas but many fell into the trap of Indian paper money and became selfish spectators.
• Yes, at last common people and their representatives are voicing their displeasures and starting to do something positive for the welfare of society without invoking ‘Presidents Rule’
• After decades of living in fear in own land, Naga civil society is once again slowly but surely finding the strength to stand as one and build a positive future for all.
• Years of fear, helplessness and negative attitude has at last given way to feelings of oneness, emboldening and sending out positive vibes into every naga heart and home.
• People have started voicing against corruption.
• to some extent, the recent protest against HSRP, Power shortage etc
• Small drops of water make a mighty ocean. The contribution of the naga civil society ngos is coming in small drops and we the public are impatient and unable to wait. There is much the naga civil society can improve upon. However, when we study the situation we know that most of the civil society – at least when they first started – began as voluntary services and for this their role should be acknowledged. But the time is now for them to listen to the public voice and sentiments.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• No...Because 'i/me/mine' factor is deeply embedded in us bringing along with it, every available mode of corruption. We've become corruption-controlled thieves trying to evade truth and this goes for the church too. In short, when we change it to 'us' with truth as our leader, we can openly stand for our rights, fight for justice and usher in positive change.
• NO, because any change, be it positive or negative, cums with less talk n 100% action. We nagas r still on the process of learning dis fact
• Most of our naga civil society has lost their principles. They found it easier to fight for their principle rather than to live up to them. An NGO (any pressure groups) however big or strong cannot not impose Law upon the general public. It is the duty of the govt. If one does not know to which port he is sailing... No wind is favourable. Since the present system has brought nothing positive i think the working system of the Naga NGO's must be changed in order to bring some positive changes in our society.
• No, our present scenario is the proof.
• No community spirit
• due to issue of 'ism' (tribalism, politism, communitism, socialism, regionalism, indivilism -how can Naga society be civilized or advance like other state
• I don’t feel that our naga civil society is bringing much social change in the naga society….the leaders rae afraid to come out….
• They are leading themselves to a brighter side of life. and not for the benefit of the people. only few good or few sincere and honest cannot bring change to the society.
• Leakages of wealth curb the individual work in Nagaland.
• i dont know who is more corrupted and coward. the govt or the civil societies??? the naga civil societies don't raise voice to the govt corrupted activities or the UG's illegal tax and extortion and killings. i say all the Civil societies are the puppets of govt and UGs. they are doing more harm than bringing any changes in the society.
• nope, sorry dear NGO leaders... As of now our Naga society leaders are afraid to speak out the truth but all are under the influence of some politicians and a mouthpiece to the so called nationalist groups for their own selfish gain instead of becoming a leader to the public.
• No unity among nagas
• The Naga Civil Society (especially the major organisations) is in a total mess. They do things which are not their concern, and forget about the things which they are supposed to do. They have lost the touch with the public, hence the people’s mandate. They have no power of their own, more like a toothless tiger, allowed themselves to be remote controlled by some other authorities, and dances according to their tunes. If they are to play a responsible role in bringing about a positive change in our society, they need to do more than what they are doing now. They need to heed the voice of the people and not of those few, who controls power and authority. They have to stop being hypocrites.
• Today the Naga civil society is confused and there is no clear agenda or priority. so many problems to solve and no one is taking the initiative.
• I hate to say this but we can no longer pretend all is well. The naga civil society today has become a confused group, they talk big but do nothing in reality. Instead of brining changes they have created havoc. The sooner their tenure gets over the better for the commoners.
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• Cant say when put altogether. I love Nagaland, I wonder how many naga people can say that. Most of us know it too little to feel strong emotion one way or the other. So much of Nagaland still to be put in order. There are still vast patches to my tally. I do not know and I do not echo it. I pore over the map, immerse myself in photographs, but the reality is missing. I guess I have to wait for time when there is a sublime modesty within the civil societies. In rough I should state that they have yet to achieve a long milestone and acknowledgements from all the section of the society.
• It really does depend on ones expectations from civil society organizations. One can be realistic and practical and expectations and the other can be a dreamer and expect nothing less than the moon from the civil society. Somewhere between the two you will find the truth. They are doing some good work, but they can certainly do much more and much better. They can make better use of the opportunities that they have.
• We need ask what we learned from our struggle? Some introspective reflection must be done. Agitation must have some deeper philosophical and spiritual meaning and purpose. Otherwise we will all grow wary.
• The Naga civil society has much to contribute to the Naga people. In every modern society, the civil society is required and it is expected that they hold governments and any other public institutions accountable to their task. It is disheartening to see that Naga civil society is not living up to it potential. It needs to learn how to be more impartial and to voice its opinion at the right time. Also it must hold consultations with the public. Just holding consultations with each other or within itself is not sufficient. It needs to reach out to the public.
• Well, our leaders are lacking nothing as we see them from outside except courage which is an innermost quality of a man not seen from outside. Most of Our leaders would struggle and do anything boldly and to get themselves elected/selected to the top but once there, they cease to be the same bold person. Is it the supporters/public weakness or the so called leaders ‘weakness?’ Every time any issue is taken up by any civil society for a genuine reason, the leaders are sure to receive a warning from this group, that group even from an individual and then within a day or two, you’ll see a big apology letter on the daily papers. And then, public would blame the leaders and the leaders would blame the public of not giving support and within no time everything is quite and compromised…so before we point our fingers on the civil societies, lets reason it out ourselves as an individual as well as a society as a whole and check ourselves too. I believe, the leaders of the naga civil society feels responsible and is willing to take up any issue for a positive change but somewhere somehow courage is missing. This is more of a general concern.
• If NMA fights for unpaid workers of NRHM and JSY, NC boldly speaks out illegal taxation, extortion and digs out the skeleton in the hidden cupboard of DMC, NSF pays genuine concern to make a tax-free salary of teaching community, JACWR tenaciously stands out to be counted on equal terms with her pigheaded male-counterparts, constructive politics displayed against Transport Dept in response to public outcry over HSRP, you name it? Then, it is a positive sign of the time in a flawed state of affairs or stepping in the right direction yet still a long way to go for the half-dormant naga civil society to let its voice heard loud and clear.
