Morung Express News
Kohima | October 29
The 69th Foundation Day of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) was held on October 29 at the NSF office with Z. Lohe, former president, NSF as the guest speaker.
Education, election, corruption and Naga nationalism were four crucial issues that Lohe emphasized in his speech, which he viewed the present NSF leaders need to address in Naga society. Positing that as a student body, NSF must take up the welfare of students as its top priority, Lohe reminded the past plans and action plans that NSF has introduced but failed to execute till date. Education in Nagaland has degenerated which has become a deep concern, viewed Lohe who also pointed out, “The type of education being imparted and the syllabus being charted out in the name of expertise and imparted to our gullible children is in a mess. Things are being managed haphazardly. Authorities concerned are not paying due attention to their assignments. Everybody is concerned with money. We cannot be silent spectators.” The failure to voice out against corrupt practices in education and lack of quality education was further highlighted.
With regard to the issue of election, Lohe viewed that elections have become so corrupt not just in the State elections but right from the students organization to municipal bodies. The values and ideologies of political parties or a candidate are no more respected, he maintained. Lohe, who also was a former legislator in the 1980s affirmed how in the olden times, people listened and paid more attention to the political philosophy instead of the amount of money candidates will cash in. “The system has become abominable. When we have no sense of shame, fear and taboo, when these three qualities leave a human being, s/he is no more a human being,” asserted Lohe, noting that when people are deprived of these three qualities they become equivalent to animals, and that the election season in Nagaland are much like zoos. The end result of election is seen today, viewed Lohe who asked if NSF will remain mute to this challenge.
Asserting that Nagas are no more sensitive to corruption, Lohe exhorted the NSF leaders to take proactive action on the issue of corruption in Nagaland. In the issue of Naga nationalism, Lohe maintained that Naga nationalism is in the blood of the Nagas which continues to be an everyday topic and the first topic of discussion in any gathering. Comparing the situation of Nagaland with other movements and countries, Lohe stated that instead of taking the struggle into something positive, Nagas have taken on a negative reaction. “The overreaction has brought the present maze. We are in total chaos,” said Lohe, calling upon the NSF leaders to educate the young generation of the history of the Nagas.
