X Chophika Sumi
Dimapur
Bad roads, poor electricity,non-payment of salaries to the teachers and other government employees, delay in payment of scholarship to the students, anomalies in recruitment of personnel in almost all the departments, corruption at almost every level of bureaucratic hierarchy, embezzling huge sums of money meant for development and siphoning off of ‘Centrally Sponsored Schemes’ by the Ministers/MLAs and their aides and the list goes on. Perhaps not a pleasant way of opening this write up with critics but this is the current state of affairs and a layman like me could do nothing but lament against a mighty empire that has well connections with the business tycoons as well as the covert groups who are ever ready to flex their muscles as long as their coffers does not run empty. One may even consider this as an opposition statement given the fact that there are no opposition in the current Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Looking at the plethora of problems and issues confronting our state, one may well sum up that the State machinery has miserably failed. Our present State is in disarray and chaos.
Having said that, the State Government as such is now a mere entity and its responsibilities are being shouldered by various organizations and associations.
Roads are being repaired and maintained by various communities/NGOs, the issue of illegal immigrants is vigorously tackled by the ‘Survival Nagaland’, Fuel adulteration and other discrepancies in the State Government is checked by ACAUT and furthermore it has to keep vigil on the Government and constantly remind the Government that it can no longer continue with its ‘goonda raj’.The Women Hohos has to go about picketing the liquor shops although their contribution is ‘a dime’s worth’. The NTC and other tribal organizations has to contendwith the State Government for the withdrawal of recognition of Rongmei tribe as Scheduled Tribe. The ‘Public Service Aspirants’ has to go about fighting for their rights door to door in every department because of random political appointments depriving the educated and deserving youths of their rights. Moreover, without serving ‘Ultimatum’ the government does not function which is quite appalling. Ever since the introduction of the ‘Hornbill Festival’ by the NPF led DAN 1 government, the successive governments has been so obsessed in organizing this festival so much so that it appears that their only responsibility is to organize this rather infamous festival where the debt-ridden government pumps in crores of rupees without actually generating the revenue. This is the time when all efforts, every resources are put in. The roads in Kohima are completely overhauled and this is the time when Kohima actually becomes the ‘Switzerland of the east’.
The citizens of Kohima should however be glad that with the coming of Hornbill festival, some minor developments takes place. The other districts are deprived of any opportunities let alone development. It should also be noted that ‘Dimapur’ the commercial hub of our state is what it is today not becauseof the infrastructuraldevelopments initiated by the government but because of the investment of private entrepreneurs.
The infamous opposition less government and its15 minutes of Legislative business came as a shock to many of us and even the agenda deliberated on the ‘Floor of the House’ was to enhance their salaries and perks! In order to realize the true essence of democracy, there is a need of opposition in any democratic government but as dismayed as we are, we have reaped what we sowed and there’s no point of dissent unless one didn’t sell one’s vote.
Government jobs are very scarce. With rampant backdoor appointments and manipulations, getting through even in competitive examinations is relatively small unless of course one is exceptionally good. The Government encourages the youths to become private entrepreneurs but there are no avenues nor does the government creates any opportunities for the unemployed youths. The effort to start up a business from a scratch is burdened with taxation from various groups coupled with fierce competition from the non-locals who are backed the NPGs. As such the hope of becoming a successful entrepreneur becomes a distant dream. The citizens are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
The General elections of 2018 will be at our doorstep very soon and after all the exploitations, when their heyday seems to be nearing to an end, our MLAs will come yet again with no signs of remorse begging for our votes with great aplomb.
For Mao Zedong, “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun”. For our leaders, “Power grows out of their deep pockets” which is unscrupulously refilled every five years due to the ignorance of the voters. Woe to us if we brag about that we are free people when we are actually blinded and chained by greed and avarice.
We have taken many a decision in the name of ‘Nagaland for Christ’. We have banned alcohol, Gutkhas, Sunday shopping although some were enforced by the government not mandated by the people.
Enough of giving advices in the social medias. This coming election why don’t we elect a true leader in a true Christian spirit. This time, why don’t we live up to the name ‘Nagaland for Christ”.
If Pandit Nehru and Gandhiji along with other Indian leaders could liberate the Indians from the tyranny of the British Empire with the help of the peasants. Imagine what we could achieve, if the hundreds and thousands of educated Nagas actually start walking the talk and vows to bring about a change. Money and muscle power should no longer dictate the will of the Nagas. The General elections of 2018 should be the game changer for the future course of Naga politics. We are in a catch-22 situation and there are two choices for us.
ither we start preparing ourselves for the best or the worst.To err is human but if a person is unable to learn from his mistakes, he would be nothing less than a nincompoop. It’s about time we bring about a change. It’s about time, my fellow Nagas.
