Dr Asangba Tzudir
The latest satirical episode by the popular theatre group Dreamz Unlimited once again brings out the painful ‘unavoidable’ realities of being in a ‘society’ of unions, donations and collections especially in a state like Nagaland which will easily enter the Guinness Book of World Records for the distinction of having the most number of unions in the world if such a record in included in the list. The drama portrays different forms of collections that the ‘protagonist’ of the play doesn’t have any other option but to faint.
While the rising number of unions and organizations has only led to an increase in the different kinds of donations and collections, side by side it has also created a kind of unhealthy competition just because of human tendency to compare and contrast within the limitless wants. At the roots it is the family budget that gets disrupted. For instance, collecting half month’s salary in order to celebrate a jubilee or something similar has become a normal affair. “Why do we organize huge programmes depending on the people for finances? Is this the only way to show the existence and relevance of the union?
It seems like this normalized ‘extortion’ would continue to exist so long as Naga society exists, and over the years what has evolved in the process is the language usage from simply being sacred to profanish like the tenfold blessing in return. Another form of such language is the non-uniformity of the amount of collection or donation which should be in proportion to the person’s income or status. That, it is not seen as unhealthy competition in the pursuit of imitating others, but simply trying to be at par with the others or be like others. It is not seen as competition at all. It is no more about survival of the fittest but in context ‘survival of all’ or rather ‘pursuing recognition.’
Sadly the existence of so many unions and organisations have not contributed to the larger objective of unity and cohesiveness of the Nagas but the opposite has happened. The transition from tradition to modernity took an ‘undesirable’ shift from ‘communitarian good’ to ‘individualism.’
Rather than seeking donations and contributions which includes even demand for diversion of ten tithes, we need to think about better and innovative ways of generating money and resources and thereby help cut down on donations and contributions. And it is also time for all the various unions and groups and associations etc. etc. to do away with all the unnecessary ‘ritualistic’ practices and celebrations and stay more relevant and thereby evolve with the times rather than staying redundant and non-progressive.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to the Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
