‘Going forward’ should be the key word for the Nagaland University students, scholars, teachers and staffs associated. We need to enhance our human capital and a social transformation in terms of ideas, innovations, practise, research, entrepreneurship and understanding.
The health of Nagaland University as perceived by the general public as sick is indeed highly regretted and has received irreparable damage to the psycho of many young minds. In fact the virtual and physical state of functioning, and the actual existence of Nagaland University do have a disconnect that triggers misconceptions and people are more towards the negative aspect of the University. Whereas, in terms of human capital and human resource development, it stands at par as any nascent university across the country. It has produced thousands of Graduates and Post Graduates that are serving across the state and even outside, holding key positions and contributing in the nation building process.
An article by chief functioning ministry, Good Shepherd Ministry titled “Peaceful co-existence of Nagaland Central University” published in the local dailies recently highlights a similar virtual aspect of the university that may possibly discourage and demean thousands of Nagaland university members including teachers. The actual intention of the author of the particular article may be subjected to the readers' judgements. However, even in the best of case where the author's write-up was well-intentioned, downgrading an institution in the hope of stimulating a progressive response may sadly prove to be counter-productive.
His write up clearly proclaims that he has personal vested interest with the Nagaland University. He also has quoted some extraordinary events which our conscious doesn’t allow to repeat here again. Civilization is a very slow process, so is Education. Reservations and Quotas are not new and is not just for Nagas alone... it’s all over the world. In fact, the National Knowledge Commission has strongly recommended on quotas enabling access to Knowledge. Why is the author trying to discourage young minds with such short sighted comments on reservation, quotas and backwardness. Nagas do have IAS, IFS, IPS, entrepreneurs and other high profile officers who are doing very well, and above all if we are to mention academics, the rate of UGC/CSIR/NET/JRF pass percentage stands high as any other reputed universities in India, perhaps much better than many other universities, despite the fact that Nagaland University is just 16 years old and considering the ill equipped infrastructures and basic needs. We also have reputed published works done and many are doing publishable and applicable result oriented research. Notwithstanding odd forces from outside and within, the Naga Professors are doing fine with the limited resources that are available. The sweat, tears, struggle and sacrifices made by many of the Professors of Nagaland University are not gone unnoticed, and they are the backbone of the university. The easy, lazy and casual life style of some of the Professors also cannot be ruled out, where we see room for perfection. We need to ascertain the whole block of the iceberg and not just its tip. The tip may reflect good for some and bad for some, but it’s the whole block of the iceberg that will portray the truth and the water that holds will justify the reality... not the mountains, rocks and trees that surrounds it.
Let us also not forget the situation of Nagaland now and then, in terms of development, communication, networking, law and order and so forth. Things are hundred folds better today. Let us be more analytical and logical here. Successive VC’s and other top officials of Nagaland University have come and gone. They have done their best, be it GOOD or BAD! Their deeds shall be judged by one’s own time. Now, why should we be so serious for something that is gone, something which probably has done so much damage, sufferings, betrayal and anguish. We now understand that the whole issue is all about petty intellectual jealously between the stakeholders and perhaps among teachers, and shear thirst of power, greed and wealth. Nevertheless, we are concern about the generation that is in the making. No politics should ever try to play at the cost of the budding human capital which definitely will stand as the mirror of future Nagaland.
It is from a University that war and Peace are made, a nation is built, economy is uplifted, culture improved, traditions are preserved, disseminate knowledge and wisdom flow. To triumph we need commitment and results, and that is what our young minds should look for. The past had bequest our future into our able hands and we will be the vanguard of corruption, discovery, freedom and progress.
The Fourth-Estate in Nagaland has given a perfect platform to disseminate and imbibe the correct information to the public at large. It is time Naga scholars and intellectuals enter into a knowledge intensive information sharing culture through such platform to achieve openness and accessibility and thereby into a healthy social transformation.
This write up is a synopsis of the latest debate that has taken place at nursf_nu@yahoogroups.co.in, the official online platform of the Nagaland University Research Scholars Forum.
Vika. V. Zhimo, Fürkumzuk, Soyhunlo Sebu
Information And Media Cell
Nagaland University Research Scholars Forum
