It is often the case that in Nagaland we undertake big development programs and projects on paper but on the ground the reality is different. Perhaps it is not commensurate with the amount of funding that we get or we often compromise on the quality or performance. So Nagas seem to be good in generating low output as far as our work or implementation goes but we produce high publicity when it comes to our claims and declaration that we have done a good job. So it’s always the case that any event or program being conducted has to be documented in the press i.e. newspapers in order that people can claim that they have done their job. Here we should not be taken otherwise as though we are generalizing bad performance only. We are sure that many projects or programs are implemented with sincerity and honesty. Yet it becomes obvious that there are also many such projects and programs being done just to fulfill some formality. Many of us would have noticed the innumerable numbers of publicity material coming out in our local newspapers—of projects/programs being implemented/conducted. Sometimes newspapers receive such publicity materials and they are the same project but conducted in all the different districts or villages.
The concern government departments and officials are in fact very keen to have such events or programs published in the newspaper because they have to show their ‘performance’. However it has to be made known that development is not about rushing to the interiors to conduct a program and then write out a press release accompanied by a happy group photo requesting it to be published in the newspaper. In fact in recent years even our Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), they are doing a lot of this kind of activities. If one is doing a good job and people are benefiting from such programs, is it so necessary to garner publicity in our local newspapers? And it is not as if that these people are paying for the services of using the media. Everyone from the government to the public have this expectation of getting free publicity. To the credit of the local media houses, they are actually doing great public service by way of publishing free of cost many of these materials, which cannot be considered as news.
The point is that announcing and undertaking several development programs with great publicity and fanfare will mean nothing for the development graph of the State if we do not show the commitment and purpose to ensure its effective implementation on the ground. The sustainable growth of the local economy will depend considerably on implementation and not so much on the program itself or the publicity that we are able to successfully garner. So proper execution and monitoring the performance of programs, this is extremely important. Perhaps like the Central government we should also have a separate program implementation ministry/cell. It is not to say that publicity is bad in itself. Our focus should be less on publicity and more on work and performance. If we are able to improve the delivery of services while ensuring timely completion of projects and proper utilization of funds, there is no reason why we will not get good publicity. We need to be honest, sincere and hardworking in our endeavors then the applause will follow us.