An opportunity has once again dawned upon the Nagas to collectively discern and choose Hope and Reconciliation over Fear and Division. For Nagas, Hope is what will drive the revolution for transformation forward. For too long a sense of Hopelessness had weakened the spirit of the people, and allowed fear and suspicion to dominate the Naga skyline. Now is the time for Nagas to collectively choose Hope and overcome the seeds of suspicion and division; and to once again recover the spirit of living. In essence, it is the people who need to take ownership of Hope.
The present situation of the Nagas stands on soft and precarious ground. The Naga population is losing hope and trust on the commitment and priorities of Naga leaders and Naga political groups. Naga leaders are no longer listening to people’s voices and this is causing a crack in the Naga political consciousness. There is a deepening disconnect between those in leadership positions and the common public. And unless this disconnect is addressed in an effective and pragmatic manner, the real feelings, needs and concerns of the people will be marginalized from the decision making processes. Such a condition will ultimately lead to further self-destruction.
Naga leaders and the public are challenged to search deep within themselves and collectively decide and make Hope a living reality. They need to truthfully revisit the critical question of the common good and a shared future. It is hence essential for the different Naga political groups to create the space for the people to rediscover Hope. The common Naga person needs to be assured of Hope and to believe that the Naga future represents an opportunity to provide a new life for all people.
Hence conscious and deliberate steps toward Hope need to be taken. Such steps need to be a praxis that is active, energetic, organized, imaginative, transformative and visionary. For the sake of all, the Naga political groups must choose Hope if the Nagas are to survive, flourish and realize their full potential as a free and dignified nation. The Naga leaders of today cannot escape the responsibility to enable a reconciled and dignified shared Naga future to become a living reality. Posterity will judge whether the Naga political groups exercised wisdom and foresight in the making of a reconciled Naga future.
