True, that we could not be a billionaire by the age of 25, nor won Grammys or Oscars or were the youngest Nobel laureate, and thanks for not comparing us with Mark Zuckerberg, for whatever your dreams and aspirations were. We are still struggling to get into the road of basking glory, you see.
And as the year comes to an end if there is tally of all the good and bad news brought about by Naga youth then only the surveyors will know which end is the strongest. It has been a delight to be a Naga youth for quiet sometime. Flashback! Nagaland had witnessed a generation influenced by drugs and alcohol; life charmed by idealist thoughts; years on nails, bloodsheds and tears, violence and destruction, tragedy and agony. It was indeed as the first chapter to some revolutionary novel. Still, the story does not end here. Apparently, the youth have done an appraisal on life, learning from the mistakes of their big brothers and sisters. They are structuring their dreams in a way that the best of opportunities are grabbed by sheer determination, and obedience to self.
Young Naga Stars
Yes, the talents have been discovered. It is just a curtain raiser to a whole new show. Music is something that runs in the veins of the Nagas. We witness the growth of local musicians and singers – some memorable, some that faded away easily; some who have made a mark in music – Nise Meruno, the talented pianist from Nagaland; Alobo Naga and the Band might turn out to be the Beatles of Nagaland, rocking with them a new iconic image for the youth.
On the literary front, Nagaland has given birth to one of the youngest novelists of our country Sentilong Ozukum. There are many budding writers which in years will be known for the genres they scribble. Unsurprisingly, in journalism there are reporters who are to be appreciated for their unbiased coverage in towns and villages. Talking about newspapers in my personal judgment, Al Ngullie, with his satires is the best columnists of all the dailies.
Naga models who walk the ramp such as Esther Jamir and Ethel Konyak (to name a few) with grace and their distinct look. Then there are the tattoo artists, beauticians; designers such as Atsu Sekhose and Imcha Imchen have promoted the rich Naga cultural identity through their professions. In all the spheres, Naga youths are trying to achieve a foothold, not forgetting our young politicians who are on the verge of becoming polished leaders; private entrepreneurs who are risk-takers, investing gently knowing that the road to riches is not a piece of cake.
Future changers and enablers
Coming to the government sector, the one cherished dream for most Naga parents is to see their children crack the IAS examinations. It has been made possible in earlier times too and it will continue to do so for there are Naga aspirants who really know to slog hard from summer to winter. There are many budding scholars; their theories which I optimistically believe will be taken into account in years to come. In the field of theology, things have not become stagnant; there are spiritual warriors who in full zeal are ready to preach the gospel to ends of the world. Naga youth are NGO workers, they are soldiers, they are engineers and doctors, they are construction workers, technician, even auto driver who lives with dignity. I hope in years to come it will be known that the prayers of our parents had indeed not gone in vain.
Outside our home state, we are looked on as a bunch of fun-lovers, carefree people; perhaps trend setters or even fashion divas but that is so not true for it is not always masti-maro funda – we work hard, play hard and pray hard. There are times when I have to clarify that I am from the land of the headhunters and not cannibals. True, that people still wonder where Nagaland is (I mean geographically). Worst, when they do not know of its existence, I believe it is our duty to let people know so by doing something B-I-G. Yet in the process, know the ground where we stand. The task that lies before us is quiet cumbersome but not impossible to achieve.
Apart from all the virtues there are also vices, many problems still lie ahead of us – unemployment, tribalism, diseases, corruption, insensitivity towards gender equality, the rich-and-poor divide. And then there is the question of cultural identity. I feel it is a synthesis, a salad bowl rather than potpourri; so let us respect identity but in the process let there be fusion. Someone said culture in the world is hundred percent pure and pristine for there have been confluences in the process. But whatever it is, I hope that our forefathers, ‘the torch bearers,’ will be happy to see us going neck in neck with our counterparts.
(By the way, I have not mentioned that Facebooking is a talent if you think it is, then, well, it is.)
And as the year comes to an end if there is tally of all the good and bad news brought about by Naga youth then only the surveyors will know which end is the strongest. It has been a delight to be a Naga youth for quiet sometime. Flashback! Nagaland had witnessed a generation influenced by drugs and alcohol; life charmed by idealist thoughts; years on nails, bloodsheds and tears, violence and destruction, tragedy and agony. It was indeed as the first chapter to some revolutionary novel. Still, the story does not end here. Apparently, the youth have done an appraisal on life, learning from the mistakes of their big brothers and sisters. They are structuring their dreams in a way that the best of opportunities are grabbed by sheer determination, and obedience to self.
Young Naga Stars
Yes, the talents have been discovered. It is just a curtain raiser to a whole new show. Music is something that runs in the veins of the Nagas. We witness the growth of local musicians and singers – some memorable, some that faded away easily; some who have made a mark in music – Nise Meruno, the talented pianist from Nagaland; Alobo Naga and the Band might turn out to be the Beatles of Nagaland, rocking with them a new iconic image for the youth.
On the literary front, Nagaland has given birth to one of the youngest novelists of our country Sentilong Ozukum. There are many budding writers which in years will be known for the genres they scribble. Unsurprisingly, in journalism there are reporters who are to be appreciated for their unbiased coverage in towns and villages. Talking about newspapers in my personal judgment, Al Ngullie, with his satires is the best columnists of all the dailies.
Naga models who walk the ramp such as Esther Jamir and Ethel Konyak (to name a few) with grace and their distinct look. Then there are the tattoo artists, beauticians; designers such as Atsu Sekhose and Imcha Imchen have promoted the rich Naga cultural identity through their professions. In all the spheres, Naga youths are trying to achieve a foothold, not forgetting our young politicians who are on the verge of becoming polished leaders; private entrepreneurs who are risk-takers, investing gently knowing that the road to riches is not a piece of cake.
Future changers and enablers
Coming to the government sector, the one cherished dream for most Naga parents is to see their children crack the IAS examinations. It has been made possible in earlier times too and it will continue to do so for there are Naga aspirants who really know to slog hard from summer to winter. There are many budding scholars; their theories which I optimistically believe will be taken into account in years to come. In the field of theology, things have not become stagnant; there are spiritual warriors who in full zeal are ready to preach the gospel to ends of the world. Naga youth are NGO workers, they are soldiers, they are engineers and doctors, they are construction workers, technician, even auto driver who lives with dignity. I hope in years to come it will be known that the prayers of our parents had indeed not gone in vain.
Outside our home state, we are looked on as a bunch of fun-lovers, carefree people; perhaps trend setters or even fashion divas but that is so not true for it is not always masti-maro funda – we work hard, play hard and pray hard. There are times when I have to clarify that I am from the land of the headhunters and not cannibals. True, that people still wonder where Nagaland is (I mean geographically). Worst, when they do not know of its existence, I believe it is our duty to let people know so by doing something B-I-G. Yet in the process, know the ground where we stand. The task that lies before us is quiet cumbersome but not impossible to achieve.
Apart from all the virtues there are also vices, many problems still lie ahead of us – unemployment, tribalism, diseases, corruption, insensitivity towards gender equality, the rich-and-poor divide. And then there is the question of cultural identity. I feel it is a synthesis, a salad bowl rather than potpourri; so let us respect identity but in the process let there be fusion. Someone said culture in the world is hundred percent pure and pristine for there have been confluences in the process. But whatever it is, I hope that our forefathers, ‘the torch bearers,’ will be happy to see us going neck in neck with our counterparts.
(By the way, I have not mentioned that Facebooking is a talent if you think it is, then, well, it is.)
The author is a Research Scholar in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
