It is shocking to learn that students from two reputed schools in Dimapur had an ugly face-off which nearly led to a full scale confrontation that could have proved disastrous. As per the report filed in the local news daily, the episode looked almost like a scene from a gangster movie. In all this, what is worrying is the act of the students and also their attitude when it comes to handling of a particular situation or crisis. The resort to blackmailing, provocation, intimidation and finally violence is a problem facing Naga society as a whole. And it is therefore not surprising to see our children acting and behaving in like manner. This is a very serious problem we have in hand. Our young people are not being guided properly nor taught the right values of life. Everyone has contributed to this problem where even young children feel that ‘might is right’ and resolving a crisis is through violence. This is a dangerous lesson we are teaching to our future generation. Our politicians, our national workers, our civil society and public leaders all have contributed to this. The attitude and behaviour of our young people is turning out to be a replica of the moral abyss in our society. We have failed to influence young minds on the ideals of peace and harmonious living because we the elders and leaders who run the affairs of our State, national movement and society have also not been able to practice these principles.
It is time that our society wake up and realize where we are leading our people especially the future generation of young Naga men and women. It is convenient to lay responsibility on our Churches to do the cleaning up. However the Church alone will not be able to reform our society. We need to take more responsibility at the individual, family and community level. This reformation of society has to begin at our homes at the altar of the family. Parents therefore have even more responsibility to teach right from wrong and mould children to be good human beings. Along with the family, schools must inculcate the values of good citizens so that our children grow up to be peaceful and productive members of our society. Our education whether formal in schools and colleges or informal, must teach about peace and dialogue which can alter the thinking of young people and demolish old prejudiced beliefs. Education therefore is in a position to play a more positive role in a society marred by deep seeded conflict such as ours. But the point of doubt is whether our education system is geared up to take up this challenge. A serious introspection is therefore required at the top policy making level on how we can make room within our present system for peace education, which will help students to learn about conflict resolutions and nurturing a progressive mindset of mutual understanding. We also need parents and teachers—to teach their children/students the values of respect and cooperation, to think critically, solve problems constructively, take part in responsible decision-making, communicate clearly to avoid any misunderstanding etc. These skills and values are essential to confront the culture of violence that we find ourselves in.
