K. Zubemo Humtsoe
Asst. Professor, St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama
Since human existence on earth, mankind has been witnessing stupendous achievements in all fronts. As we scrupulously examine it from the dawn of the first human civilization, to the economic, social, technological revolution, etc., it induces us to accept and belief that it all begins with “IDEA”, Idea which is represented by Creativity, innovation, inventions…Imaginations and thoughts of men transmuted into physical forms. Ideas backed by intense desire and unswerving faith that had helped men to achieve the once considered “Impossible” things.Such significant ideas had inspired many leading to generation of one idea after another, quality ideas that has been shaping and re-shaping the world since long. The incessant efforts of individuals and groups in germinating new and better ideas had opened the minds of societies and nations to accommodate such changes that not only change their outlook but benefit out of it. History has lots to teach us! Be it the persistent idea of abolishing slavery in America, the revamp of industries through the Industrial revolution in Europe, the Green revolution that multiplied agricultural production worldwide, the White Revolution in India that made India Nation self-sufficient in Milk as well as providing economic empowerment to millions of farmers in India, the various significant inventions and discoveries by individuals and groups across the globe, give us vivid picture of men’s ability to transmute their ideas into reality.Such significant ideas seem to have emerged when the world was absolutely convinced that nothing can illuminate from the dark side. The real dreamers had demonstrated that nothing is impossible to the person who backs his desire with enduring faith.
Keeping in mind the afore mentioned points, there is need for us to have self-assessment on how we are in terms of our level of thinking, creativity, inventions, discoveries, innovations,etc.and how it has impacted our society and others around the globe. Only then, we will realise how far and how well we have come so far and bring to light the areas which require much attention. We cannot always expect a free package from heaven!Rather, we must use our God-given wisdom and knowledge to pursue our dreams and goals. Unless, the consistent rise in the literacy rate of our State (Nagaland) is supported by quality thinking of the literate population, we cannot expect to see (much) positive change in our society. As everything we do is always influenced by the way we think. Good thoughts will produce good outcome and vice versa.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated“The future belongs to those who innovate”, a wise and visionary statement, made during his visit to India in the beginning of this year 2018, which requires the world to seriously ponder on it. It is inevitable truth that the survival and progress of any nation depends on innovation. It is a known fact that the outlook of the world will be different tomorrow in all areas, be it politics, economy, technology, etc. New and better ideas will take the world to new heights. Nations which are consistently focusing on building their human resource will have an edge over the others. Temporary possession of slightly stronger economy today will make very little or no difference in the long run, if, it has debilitated human resource. History had testified that no country has ever progressed or developed without new ideas, innovation, empowered thinkers and doers. We should seriously ponder on how we have been all throughout these long years, how transformation has been taking place in all areas in our State, Pre statehood and post Statehood, and so on. Our complacent attitude with the current State of affairs will lead us to downfall and we shall be accountable to the present as well as the future generations.
We had waited for too long to instil in the minds of our people the need to encourage practical dreamers who have burning desires to transform our society through the application of their ideas. We are well aware that our people can always find new ways to grumble on the problems/issues that they are living with, but, never try to find new ways to resolve it or at least give a try to have fresh perspective on it. If we can use this ability to generate new and better ideas, I believe, our State will be in a better state today. We cannot wait for outsiders to transform our society, but, we must create ourselves the change we want to see and the change we need in our society. If not us, then, there is none who can reshape our society. There is high need for quality ideas that can add value, has the capacity to bring in new things, can stand against differences, and can transform our society. Such quality ideas are ineluctable in the process of reshaping or transforming our society. As we desire for change, we must give up on our narrow mindset,our long practiced dependent attitude on others and outsiders, our popular blame game practice and you do it attitude. We must change our mind set, provide quality education (supported by better and integrated education system) which has the capacity to make the learners more creative, innovative, competent, etc., instead of insisting the potential educated population to adopt conventional approach of “formal education for mere job”, to encourage our people to think beyond, to exercise freedom of thinking,to believe in our educated population and inculcate positive attitude and thinking in ourselves in order to accommodate new idea or change in our society.
Many of us are convinced that we have potential persons in the likes of, A. Einstein, Thomas A. Edison, A. Lincoln, Martin Luther King Junior, Steve Jobs…. among us, who possess unique and better ideas, courageous and desiring to transform our society in their capacity.We need to put our unwavering trust on them and encourage them to generate more new and better ideas and empower them to give shape to those ideas in order to make a better, different and progressive society.Verily, the gradual change (in all areas) that evolves in our society today is because of the presence of a cluster of serious thinkers and committed doers in our society. We must impel our present generation to be practical thinkers and doers! Else our attempt to take another step will only take us backward.
Floating in the midst of corruption, nepotism, favouritism, etc., does not fumble us to raise our new ideas higher,in order to give the much needed hope to those who desire to see the new dawn of change in our society. Believing in what we see about our future kindles our enthusiasm to put our efforts today that will definitely shape our tomorrow. We can always desire for a better tomorrow, no matter what our past look like. We must act today, to keep up the hope for abetter tomorrow.
