G. L. Khing
Kohima
What is this road that makes my soul to tremble in fear, shame and agony? As I asked myself such a question that bears no answer, I realized that I was traveling back home to be warmly welcomed by many potholes. They all invited me to stay with them for some more years till the Government receives new funds. I found no words to tell them. My sympathy moved my head towards my heart. So, I replied them that they may get some shelter when the road is constructed anew. Till then, they will have to bear the heat and rain for the sake of Nagas. The pebbles cry underneath the tyres of heavy vehicle. The family of size stones beside the road were terrified at the sight of such injustice meted out to their younger ones (pebbles). They all decided not to sacrifice themselves for the cause of Nagas anymore. Therefore, they moved towards the river bed to cool themselves till the release of the next election manifesto.
It was surely a warm welcome because I was sweating at the sight of the road. I then remembered my journey to Mt. Saramati last October. I struggled much to reach the highest mountain peak of Nagaland (3840 mts). But here, in this low land area, the struggle was different. This difference makes the difference even more. The dusts that pass by wave their empty hands indicating that all the funds meant for the road is over (eku bi nai hoishe). My heart ache together with my body. This is the real ache because it is a combination of both body and soul. I decided to go home only when the road put on their new black dress (blacktop road) to welcome a white soul. Home is homely, but the road is not roadly. So my decision rolled back to the cloud above because Home is better than the road. Therefore, I chose the better part in spite of the worst travel.
Human life can be compared to a road. There are people who travel bad road to reach good life. While others travel good road only to meet bad ends. Both the comparisons can be found very well as you travel from Kohima to Wokha via Tseminyu. The road will eat you up if you are not careful. Seat belts are not comfortable enough. You need iron chains to travel this road. The dust will make you either invisible or disfigured. On reaching your home, even your own wife and husband will fail to recognize you. You have travelled just a short distance to distance yourselves from your loved ones with your disfigurement! This is not a joke, it is only a funny journey. The Rengmas and Lothas are used to with such journey.
The Rengmas have a large settlement in High School area, where as the Lothas have a good placement in Keziekie area. They are blessed because they can wash themselves clean before proceeding to Kohima Town. Failing to do this will make you appear in the next series of the movies, “The gods must be crazy.” God knows the condition of the road, so he placed them right before Kohima town proper.
God has saved you from shame, but the Government of Nagaland is putting you into bigger shame by their utter negligence. Therefore, the Rengmas and Lothas are right in their claim for good road. If the Government cannot construct road that can last for five years (construction of road MUST last at least for five years in other parts of the country), at least put up artificial road that can last for one day. Something is better than empty promises.
When public takes law into their hands, it is unlawful and invalid. But when the Government takes the law into their hands and stumps them with its feet. I think it is more unlawful. This is what the Government is doing the most. Do not promise gold and silver to a beggar, instead feed him with a morsel of food. This is the right act of helping people to grow. In Nagaland, promises are bigger than any planet of the solar system and higher than the heavens. Therefore, fulfilment is too far from reality. Many public leaders keep themselves warm with such promises and die a cold death. I hope the leaders of the two tribes do not fall victims to such sweet scented words.
Let no road leads to death. Villages and towns can die a natural death in the absence of good and lasting road. This is not understood by many Nagas. Therefore, the pressure and demand for it last only for certain hours/months. We should not be afraid in placing life ahead of death. Development and connectivity bring life, whereas seclusion dooms people.
Let us feed Nagas with basic necessities and not with potholes and dust. If Nagas are cheated over and over again for decades, I am sure many ministers and MLAs will receive stones (collected from the highways) and packets of dust as presentation. This will be the most applicable presentation. We can only give what we have. I hope I am not wrong with this application. Even if it is wrong, times and circumstances will prove me right. Dos & DON’ts as you travel from Kohima to Wokha via Tseminyu:
Do’s:
1. Remember to carry your breakfast, lunch and supper.
2. Carry extra tyres (3/4 tyres will suffice because its just 80 kms)
3. Carry chains along with your seat belt.
4. Hire JCB to escort you till your destination.
5. Put on loud music lest you hear unfamiliar jerking sound.
DON’ts
1. Rush too fast, you may reach Mokokchung without touching Tseminyu and Wokha. 2. Open your window glass, either water or dust will swallow you. 3. Smile at each other, your teeth may be scattered due to heavy jerks. 4. Carry pregnant women. The road side hotels may become Labour room. 5. Carry infants, they may get old and grey before reaching Kohima.
Please follow these Do’s and Don’ts if you want to be a Real Naga inside real Nagaland. Failure in abiding by these rules may make you ever happy and successful. Always obey the Government because the Government may not obey you.
