It is the world of ideas that transforms the world and it acts as the bridge between historical forces on one hand and the uncertain unfolding future on the other. A society; any society that does not nurture, nourish and develop ideas invariably finds itself caught in the history of the past, which breeds stagnation fueled by homogeneity and permanence. Consequently, monotony becomes a status quo of injustice.
Ideas and its capacity for imagination is the strength of a peoples’ to exercise the value of its own future. The world of ideas is a scene of endless confrontation that is split between those who use power to maintain the status quo and those who aspire and struggle for change. The question of ideas is at the center of these confrontations and it is through these encounters that the distinct position, functions and roles between reactionary intellectuals and activists becomes more apparent in their conflicting encounter for either maintaining the status quo or enabling transformation.
While activist tend to over-criticize immobility, permanence, homogeneity and hegemony; the reactionary intellectuals on the other tend to forgo critical thought. Subsequently reactionary intellectuals shrink their ideas into concrete sound bytes, excluding both the past and future, only to focus on the immediate present and are constantly criticizing any and every effort towards change. Activists on the other hand claim to be engaging in self-criticism with critical imagination since their ideas are not confined to the immediate present, but the future. Subsequently, they come across as having no feelings for present plight. Invariably, the outcome between the clashes of these ideas is what defines the existential reality.
It is ideas that are going to shape the future of the Nagas. At present, public focus is compulsively centered on actions and activities of the past and immediate. But such fixation will only lead inward and prevent any self-criticism and critical imagination. There is a dire need for Nagas to open up to criticism across all levels of society and to be able to accept criticisms and differences without any personal indignation. Far more important will be the ability of the Naga spirit to shift from a perpetual habit of self-righteousness to self-criticism. Self-criticism is after all the manure for critical imagination. Invariably, Nagas must take care not to forget that ideas are the means through which a peoples’ define their journey of purpose!
