Vikali Shikhu
Unity Village, Dimapur
Not everyone is literate but not all literates are educated. If I should be honest, I respect bureaucrats million times bigger and higher than the politicians and seeing them joining politics on attaining superannuation, I trust their potential to man the state machinery. In full faith and sound mind, I believe and look up to them all my life and always will. This write-up is in no way generalizing all the bureaucrats but an expression of my view after observing enough of some high and mighty supermodels walking the ramp. Here I quote the statement of Aryan Dwivedy, "Literate people working at higher positions and misusing their positions and degrading others are the biggest example of uneducated people".
Life is a great teacher because it teaches us a great lesson and we accept people as they are. We are human beings first, aren't we? Some are so obsessed with the status and position that they find it extremely difficult to tone down due to the mighty UPSC thorn in their vocal chords. We may have super brain but we are good only for ourselves till the time we bulldoze off that mountain of ego in us.
Why agree to disagree over something that you are not even well aware of? Please remember that post Nagaland Retirement Act 2009, a new generation of well qualified and efficient employees have taken over the state. To me, fact is fact and I don't read it right when they say "The BOSS is always right", the Truth has to be told and there is no fear in the truth. You may think that listening to someone below your status is so luxurious that you can't afford to stoop so low. But if learning is a continuous process that has no end, then there is no harm being a good listener to people who are being practical, well versed and already in the field. Everyone knows something, not that someone knows everything. Life would be undoubtedly better if we shed off few kilos of "Know All" mentality. Let us learn from a quote that says "only fool knows everything".
By the way, what kind of education teaches us not to have respect for elders? It makes me wonder 'some' young officers find it too difficult to address "Madam/Sir" to officers the age of their parents. They may not be IAS officers but they definitely are responsible department officers. Lacking elderly respect and calling them mouthful by name says a lot about us. According to CareerRide.com, "Literacy might make people feel superior to others, but only educated people are superior who know how to respect elders and pay due importance to their colleague's work".
Chill!!! Days have changed, many Naga youngsters are privileged in getting access to foreign education each passing day. Many had already graduated from world renowned universities as Gold Medallists and awardees. They still stay blessed and humble because their education humbled them. Someone may not be occupying public office because we all have different area of interests, dreams and goals in life. Certainly there are responsible people shouldering big responsibilities in the society. I have heard stories of them experiencing a ferocious carnivorous treat by 'some' particular young and energetic officers from amongst the so called Nagaland cadres. Oh sorry, even the highest degrees cannot buy personality and integrity.
If we think we are too big for others, we are definitely unfit to fit in a normal and civilized society. There is an urgent need to take care of overdosed UPSC hangovers. Illiterate people in rural Nagaland are rich in elderly respect and so let us accept the fact that we are less educated than them. Height of being unpolished is perfectly reflected when we are literally literate but lack basic etiquette. Our etiquette says a lot about our background and upbringing. Life is great if only we know how to carry ourselves.
