A Man who cared for posterity

The recent passing away of M. Sekhose, former president of Tenyimi Peoples Organisation (TPO) is a huge loss and setback for the Tenyimi peoples in particular and the Nagas in general. Late Mr.Sekhose according to the various letters of condolences in the local media have played the pioneering part in trying to proactively engage his kindred community members to resolve contentious issues created by the imposition of the modern state system over the local indigenous Naga peoples in northeast India and their territorial space in the later half of the twentieth century.
 The gradual intrusion of state controlled structures followed by inroads by the various forces of Globalization and the resultant crave for exploitation of hitherto undisturbed ecosystem in many parts of the Naga country have led to many tensions today spilling out in various negatives forms such as parochial communalism, environment degradation and heartless exploitation of natural resources in search of quick wealth over the common resources. The Zeliangrong peoples whose territories are now split into Assam, Manipur and Nagaland state are at the receiving end of many vested forces. The recent appeal by one environmentally conscious citizen from Dimapur to discourage butchering of hapless migratory birds in the city should be an eye opener for the people in the region particularly Naga people of northeast whose territory remains a global biodiversity hotspot. The emerging global warming/ climate movement to reduce environment destruction for our own human sustainability should be vigorously pursued by the society of today.
The catastrophic earthquake in Sikkim and growing changes in climatic pattern in our region should draw all of us, as actors, to address this modern dilemma. The common people in the villages for instance rely greatly till date on the multitudes of wild forest products given to us by the Creator and Mother earth. But many environmentalists today predict the likely destruction of this wealth if we do not take responsibility to protect and conserve our environment today. These environmental change in our region as a result of overall global warming process is greatly to impact our communities particularly, our sustainable livelihood, food security, health, culture and economy. We as its inhabitants and overseers have a responsibility collectively to ensure its sustainability for the sake of our future generations.
 The anti-social waves in our society particularly in the cosmopolitan areas of the state displays an acute deficit for respect of human rights and responsibility for humane dignity, lack of clean environment and sanitation consciousness, uneven equity in the society, and willful craze for any position, consumerism without responsibility and abuse of power for selfish ends rather for the common good. Its time for all to take a pause, reflect and act.
The gradual move for positive engagement of communities under conflicts, for creative and mutual resolution of issues and the search for peaceful protection of natural forests zone for collective interest of the nation was a remarkable effort. The keen interest and initiative taken by senior patriarch like late Sekhose in leading a people’s movement for an environment conscious agenda for the welfare of posterity is fully acknowledged. May his soul rest in peace. May his life be an example to the upcoming generation to emulate.  And as a mark of respect for such eminent leaders 'who walk their talk' the state and society should also forge their effort unitedly towards making real peace to protect the environment and to educate the society for an peaceable and an environmentally reliable path which upholds our common human dignity, care and responsibility for environment and addressing conflict creatively.