Nagas are in need of strong and vibrant leadership, one which has the guts to soak in criticism and have the will to act and justify in the interest of the people. In the traditional Naga content, there was no shortage of leaders. The very nature of community life and the perception and attitude in Nagaland towards community life ensured that every individual was a responsible human being who contributed towards the common good. It was a by taking care of the community also saw to the well being of every individual. This sense of sharing however has been eroded over time. The sense of community life has diminished and unfortunately the negative notions of individualism have begun eating away the notion of community as well as individuality. As a result there is a cute lack of leadership in the Nagas content.
With the values of community and positive individuality has usurped how Nagas relate to each other now. Subsequently one if its consequences is that existing leaders- both state and national- have failed to understand the Nagas heart creating a gap between Nagas and the other tribes.
Nagas are in acute need of leaders; leaders who have the goodwill for their fellow human beings and a sense of perception that enables them to be firm when required and flexible when situation demands. Nagas need leaders who are open and willing to acknowledge and say sorry when they are wrong. Nagas need leaders who consult people before making important policies. Nagas need leaders who have a vision that will improve the lives of the people, not just their kin. Nagas are in need of leaders with a vision for the common good and one that has the determination to lead the people out of this existing cycle of indefinite ignorance and inspire new ideas and thoughts, so that people may find the spirit of life again and compete in the race with development.
We Nagas don’t need incidents that bring hate in our own brotherhood. E.g.:- the April 21 incident of Wokha, the land dispute between Meluri and Jessami, factional clashes between the NSCN and many more. At the end of the day in a multi cultural and diverse society such as Nagaland (the land of festivals),the question of legitimacy in the eyes of the people cannot be undetermined.
Hence, Nagas are in need of leaders who can break out the prevailing isms and prove themselves to be relevant to the people and the conditions of their time and create a Nagaland which no one ever thought of.
GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE AND NAGALAND TOO!!!
Liyani Murry
St Joseph College
Jakhama
