The present generations of Nagas are earnestly searching for change, but are unclear of its direction, and, more importantly remain unsure of the means for actually transforming their aspiration into reality. The gap between aspiration and reality has created uncertainty and confusion, which is undermining people’s confidence and well-being.
Making the transition involves some significant factors; primary among them is developing a new consciousness. This new consciousness is a call for self-realization and re-examination of the Naga way of life, Naga culture and worldviews, of Naga beliefs and the Naga shared future. A new consciousness can bring to public expression the hopes and yearnings for all Nagas, future, past and present, that have been denied for so long. This new consciousness can expose the hypocrisy of injustices and enable a new political imagination that empowers the idea of a shared humanity that makes living together in dignity possible. In essence, this new consciousness can liberate the peoples’ self-determining capacities that will shape and define a shared harmonious existence.
The new consciousness can effectively examine the present brainkruptcy and work towards reviving genuine liberatory politics through an effective democratic process of critical reflection and self-analysis. The new consciousness will give rise to a political imagination that can maximize the people’s ability to participate effectively and meaningfully on all issues that impact their lives. Such inclusive participatory processes can usher in a new era of accountability, openness and transparency whereby the people themselves take responsibility for their political destiny. Using these approaches the people will increasingly become more independent, and help them learn lessons from as they move forward.
Any new consciousness has to be grounded in the Naga vision and history to the present day and systematically develop awareness of the role that ‘the powers that be’ play in deliberately arresting Naga culture. By defining Naga culture in concrete terms the people can dispel the myths and the tendency to think of Naga culture as static. In doing so the new consciousness enables Nagas to present and demonstrate a historical and political evolution of the modern Naga.
The new consciousness requires new Naga leaders to emerge who can inspire and guide the people to break out of these destructive patterns and cycle of confusion, which is more urgent than ever. Leaders are needed who have the patience to listen to the people, and together find new ways towards a shared future. This need is stronger than ever before in this present moment of history.
Finally, the new consciousness can facilitate forming a new understanding; one that recognizes and accepts differences through dialogue, which requires forming genuine relationships. In developing a new consciousness, Nagas can maintain a solidarity that enables the people to resist attempts that fragment their resistance and to create a culture of resilience that originates from a common heritage of shared values, common experience and a common envisioned shared future.
