The decision of the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) ordering the relaxation of the Sunday closure of all business establishments in and around Dimapur is a welcome move and one that needs to be appreciated given the polarization of public opinion on this issue for sometime now. By relaxing the ban on shop closures (during Sundays), the DMC has taken a well measured decision without in anyway giving in to pressures either from those who wanted the ban to remain or those demanding the complete revoking of the ban order. In an earlier editorial in this column it was then suggested that the DMC needed to reconsider its closure decision either through some form of relaxation or working other formula keeping in mind the reality of the situation.
By now going in for relaxation, it is a win-win situation for everyone and neither the Church groups nor the business community should make it into a prestige issue anymore. The DMC ought to be in the best position to decide on how it would like to manage the day to day affairs of the Dimapur Municipality. Whether the DMC will merely experiment on a temporary basis, the relaxation formula remains to be seen although its earlier order to close shops and all business establishments on Sundays led to inconveniences being brought to bear on the general public.
As per the relaxation order, hotels (Food & Lodging), restaurants, PCOs, petrol pumps, barbershops and saloons and interstate travel counters and agencies will now be allowed to reopen on Sundays. This will no doubt remove some of the major hassles that the public were made to go through, in particular the non-residents of Dimapur, tourists, business travelers and those planning to travel for important assignments or to meet other deadlines. The last category will include students, sick patients and even officials from the government or NGOs who will no doubt be less constrained to make travel arrangements as and when the need arises.
Now that the DMC has come up half way to address some of the inconvenience, the general public on its part will do well to appreciate the decision arrived at. As an informed public, they will be expected to know beforehand their requirements and hence may have to plan ahead on what they will need before a Sunday sets in. This should no doubt foster greater discipline and responsibility for the individuals in the society as well. If this purpose is served, the present formulation may be a step in the right direction and ought to go a long way towards molding a law abiding citizenry. This is no doubt a highly desirable trait that Naga society urgently requires at this juncture. Self-discipline should not be taken as a punishment or even about a restrictive lifestyle. It is the ability of the individual to adhere to a commonality that results in personal improvement instead of instant gratification.
