We were on our way to evening service. The vehicles were brought to a standstill. Traffic jam on Sunday? O! I forgot that the railway minister was supposed to be here. Countless vehicles passed by swiftly with the headlights on. I never knew our small state was so rich in it. As we resumed our ride to the church, a thought pricked my mind......
It's Monday morning, opening the door I found the newspapers Morung laying in the chair. The first page is always the most important. As expected, the railway minister's visit was the limelight. I read it once, than again with a pen highlighting the important lines. Morung's opening words were convincingly agreeable. 5th September, we went to drop my elder bro and i know how pathetic the station’s scenario was. Surely it must have been at its best at least for the minister’s visit. The honorable minister's words as quoted from Morung Express reads, ”It is the culture prevalent everywhere that during VIP visits people try and make sure that everything is in their proper place. To see the real picture, the only option will be to visit unannounced". Gosh! What would have happened if he was here unannounced? Unimaginable.
The thought that pricked me on Sunday eve was this “How corrupt have we become "? 18th August, a friend send an sms, “Anna Hazare says bring back the black money. Do you know what will happen if 1,456 lakh crore are back? 1. India will be financially no.1. 2. Each district will get 60,000 crore and each village will get 100 crore. 3. No need to pay taxes for the next 20 years. 4. Petrol rs.25, Diesel rs. 15, Milk rs.8. 5. no need to pay electricity bill. 6. Indian broders will become more stronger than the China wall. 7. 1500 Oxford like universities can be opened. 8. 28,000 kms Rubber road like in Paris can be built.9. 2000 hospitals with all facilities and medicine free. 10. 95 crore people will have their own house. Support Anna Hazare by forwarding this message to atleast 10 Indians.' I have no idea whose mind calculated all these and if it's really true but I did continue to receive this sms. When I shared this with someone, the respond was quiet indifferent....' Even if the money is back, it will go into the politician’s pockets'. It left me speechless. Following this I went to Kohima. On my way, I noticed that the bridge under construction, between Keruphema and Piphema which had began before I left for my studies lay almost paralyzed with little progress. I was forced to think how much money has went into pockets in the name of the project.
Our former Prime Minister's visit promised us four lanes road. Years have rolled by, we saw the sanctioned money in the papers and in reality, only the potholes are increasing. When those hi-fi vehicles were flying with the commoners jammed up in queue, did they think of us? They should. One of the reasons we chose them was to think for us and bring developments for the state. They do travel to other countries and cities. Doesn't it get into their minds how undeveloped our roads are? There ca be no excuse that funds are not provided. It's embarrassing to have people from other cities and states who thinks Nagaland is a beautiful state and when they finally make it to visit, they go back with memories of fighting dusts, bumpy roads and traffic jam. Ofcourse I do not rule out the fact that we are blessed with nature's beauty. Relating to Nagaland Post's report, it reads, “The minister said he would propose up gradation of the station with bigger area and extension of railway platform where truck were aligned. He also promised to improve the overall facilities and amenities'. Will it really happen? We have to let time answer. I hope the station doesn't get any worse as the roads with potholes.
My second last brother sends me some of the best messages. Here is one from him, 'People who judge everyone else need to put down the magnifying glass and pick up a mirror". Another one from a friend reads,' We are great lawyers for own mistakes and amazing judges for others' mistakes'. I do not claim that I have the right to point my finger at our politicians, for the other four will be pointing back at me. But I do believe I have the right to express my view and that' s what this writing is about. I would also like to convey to our leaders that we look upto to you. As Romans 13 teaches us to be submissive to the governing authorities, we submit to your leadership. The churches and people of God everywhere prays for you. “I urge you, then, first of all that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. For kings and all those in authority, that we may live peacefully and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness".1 Timothy 2:1,2. Our state is a Christian state; we ought to work out on practicing it. May our leaders lead as people whom God has entrusted and not because of the love of money. Remember, money is our slave for good purpose but if we allow money to rule us we become it's slave. May God help all of us to be good citizens and our leaders to be selfless.
It's Monday morning, opening the door I found the newspapers Morung laying in the chair. The first page is always the most important. As expected, the railway minister's visit was the limelight. I read it once, than again with a pen highlighting the important lines. Morung's opening words were convincingly agreeable. 5th September, we went to drop my elder bro and i know how pathetic the station’s scenario was. Surely it must have been at its best at least for the minister’s visit. The honorable minister's words as quoted from Morung Express reads, ”It is the culture prevalent everywhere that during VIP visits people try and make sure that everything is in their proper place. To see the real picture, the only option will be to visit unannounced". Gosh! What would have happened if he was here unannounced? Unimaginable.
The thought that pricked me on Sunday eve was this “How corrupt have we become "? 18th August, a friend send an sms, “Anna Hazare says bring back the black money. Do you know what will happen if 1,456 lakh crore are back? 1. India will be financially no.1. 2. Each district will get 60,000 crore and each village will get 100 crore. 3. No need to pay taxes for the next 20 years. 4. Petrol rs.25, Diesel rs. 15, Milk rs.8. 5. no need to pay electricity bill. 6. Indian broders will become more stronger than the China wall. 7. 1500 Oxford like universities can be opened. 8. 28,000 kms Rubber road like in Paris can be built.9. 2000 hospitals with all facilities and medicine free. 10. 95 crore people will have their own house. Support Anna Hazare by forwarding this message to atleast 10 Indians.' I have no idea whose mind calculated all these and if it's really true but I did continue to receive this sms. When I shared this with someone, the respond was quiet indifferent....' Even if the money is back, it will go into the politician’s pockets'. It left me speechless. Following this I went to Kohima. On my way, I noticed that the bridge under construction, between Keruphema and Piphema which had began before I left for my studies lay almost paralyzed with little progress. I was forced to think how much money has went into pockets in the name of the project.
Our former Prime Minister's visit promised us four lanes road. Years have rolled by, we saw the sanctioned money in the papers and in reality, only the potholes are increasing. When those hi-fi vehicles were flying with the commoners jammed up in queue, did they think of us? They should. One of the reasons we chose them was to think for us and bring developments for the state. They do travel to other countries and cities. Doesn't it get into their minds how undeveloped our roads are? There ca be no excuse that funds are not provided. It's embarrassing to have people from other cities and states who thinks Nagaland is a beautiful state and when they finally make it to visit, they go back with memories of fighting dusts, bumpy roads and traffic jam. Ofcourse I do not rule out the fact that we are blessed with nature's beauty. Relating to Nagaland Post's report, it reads, “The minister said he would propose up gradation of the station with bigger area and extension of railway platform where truck were aligned. He also promised to improve the overall facilities and amenities'. Will it really happen? We have to let time answer. I hope the station doesn't get any worse as the roads with potholes.
My second last brother sends me some of the best messages. Here is one from him, 'People who judge everyone else need to put down the magnifying glass and pick up a mirror". Another one from a friend reads,' We are great lawyers for own mistakes and amazing judges for others' mistakes'. I do not claim that I have the right to point my finger at our politicians, for the other four will be pointing back at me. But I do believe I have the right to express my view and that' s what this writing is about. I would also like to convey to our leaders that we look upto to you. As Romans 13 teaches us to be submissive to the governing authorities, we submit to your leadership. The churches and people of God everywhere prays for you. “I urge you, then, first of all that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. For kings and all those in authority, that we may live peacefully and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness".1 Timothy 2:1,2. Our state is a Christian state; we ought to work out on practicing it. May our leaders lead as people whom God has entrusted and not because of the love of money. Remember, money is our slave for good purpose but if we allow money to rule us we become it's slave. May God help all of us to be good citizens and our leaders to be selfless.
Nighatoli P. Achumi
Youth Pastor
N.C.R.C (Sumi) Purana Bazar
