K Lenangh Angh
President, MIHYO, Nagaland
Nagaland State is perceived, not wrongly, as a backward region of the Northeast. Lack of infrastructure in all sectors has remained the main bottleneck for the region’s all-round development. Education is one of them. While the some regions fare poorly in most indices of the education sector, comparing to the rest of the states, the number of educational institutions is less and offer vanilla degrees only.
Providing quality education all over the state is not an impossible task, with the population of 1,980,602 (as per 2011 census) of the state. Still general enrolment ratio in the state an average is 70-80 per cent (according to my estimation). Students move outside annually after the completion of their Undergraduate and Postgraduate level to study outside for next higher level as there are limited seats in Nagaland University. The remaining stays back due to financial problem. Is it impossible for our state to have good institutions for the younger generation in this 21st century?
Recently the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland informed that the state will have a Medical Colleges by the year 2020. But is it too late? Our neighbouring state Manipur, formed in 1972, already has two Medical College. In Meghalaya, the government is focusing more on education, and has allocated the highest budget, keeping in mind the fast changing scenario and innovations coming into the education system.
However, in Nagaland, corruption in education department is giving more hardship and trouble to the students. While we cannot keep up with others in other spheres, in luxury building and vehicle, we are at the top. Corruption is reelected not only in government office alone, but evident on the roads and infrastructure. People can see our Christianity on our road as it speaks volumes on our behalf. In our state, the development takes place only in luxury building, not on good infrastructure.
In such a situation how can the state develop and run smoothly? The government ideology should truly be based on the development of infrastructure especially in the field of education and while making any cabinet decision, the government should not victimize the students. The system of bribery in Nagaland should be demolished, and the politician who aims only for portfolios and powers may be asked politely and peacefully to step-down.
Let the new generation young men and women who are educated, innovative, idealistic, energetic and true patriotic person to shoulder the responsibility and led the state forward. Give chance to the uncorrupted and well-educated persons to enter into new politics and we will fight to change the economic system, work for the social upliftment as well as achievement of self-determination. We are fed up of hearing the same word of development which was spoken 10 years back and false promise just for political gain. Before it’s too late, I hope and pray that the Government of Nagaland will bring a new change that we dreamed for. There is a need for improving the educational infrastructure in the state recognising that the quality of education is the most important.
Even in the 21st century, we see the excessive and terrible exploitation of the poor by the rich higher class, especially in the development activities. The funds meant for development are not fully utilized keeping the state backward. The government should treat equally and love the people as a whole and not one's constituency or tribe alone. The Government must have the feeling of oneness and equality with the people, and only then, the fairness and honesty will begin. If Nagaland is to be developed the Government should also focus more on the most neglected parts of the areas.
Some are listed below:
• Problems of transport development: Nagaland governments have registered impressive progress in transport system but there are many bottlenecks, constraints and difficulties that adversely affect economic growth and the quality of life. The road transport system is also under heavy strain, with inadequate capacity and sub-standard infrastructure. The roads constitute the largest transport agency and intimately connected with the development of the state economy. But due to bad roads and the capacity constraints, the movement of bulk commodities such as vegetables as well as other goods and services etc are more costly.
• Poor planning agriculture: Due to poor transport planning many areas are not adequately linked with the rest of the other state and as a result remained physically and emotionally isolated. At the same time, we do not encourage our farmers to give more effort on cultivation activities and just depend on only imports from other states. We have enough resources to cultivate but have been left it untouched for many years. During elections, farmers too demand job instead of demanding for agriculture requirements and irrigation facilities etc. This occurs because of the lack of information and proper training in agriculture activities as well as encouragement.
While formulating transport plans, sufficient attention was not given to spatial and economic features which influence the pattern of transport demand in our region. Population and economic activities tend to concentrate on towns. Massive volumes of traffic are concentrated in certain areas of our region and hence there is tremendous pressure on road transport system in the town and certain areas. Whatsoever gave the dominant Road transport in our region, and they would continue to be so in the future too.
(The write up is based on the writer views and not to reflect the organization or community)
