Changes in the lifestyle of the people has made life more expensive. As a result, greed for money and materialism has increased tremendously. People in general and leaders in particular have started thinking more about their own interest and welfare than the interest and welfare of the nation and fellow citizens. The integrity of the people is lost and rampant corruption occurs in the society followed by all other evils. The top officials in general and politicians in particular indulge in all evil ways for their selfish interest and ignore the social interest. Politics, which is supposed to deal with the affairs of the state, has become the private affair and public life is used more for private advantage.
In a society where black marketers and hoarders enjoy the support and blessing of the politicians, a wide gap between the rich and the poor emerges. It is the common man who suffers the consequences of rising prices of essential commodities. People put money above all things, due to which their character deteriorates. It is forgotten that the real wealth of the nation is its citizens with strong moral character and integrity.
It is easier to have power than to handle it properly. The misuse of power causes deterioration of all norms of the society. Corruption, favouritism and exploitation of the weak are the result of the abuse of power by people who, by hook or by crook, take over the power and misuse it for their selfish ends. One of the disadvantages of a democratic set up is that many self-centered people try to grab power through unfair means and commit wrong beyond imagination and put the society to hostage as long as power is in their hands. It has been wisely said that the greater the power, the more dangerous one become due to its abuse. We are baffled to see some criminals escape the noose of law although the crimes are committed in a broad daylight. It is high time that people understand the seriousness of the problem and help in fighting it out to save our nation.
(P. DAKO PHOM)
Dimapur, Nagaland.
