The concerned Nagaland tribal members /leader’s forum formed recently do not have the mandate of the people because they were not authorized or approved by the people that they claim to represent, as yet. The Naga Hoho and ENPO are the two apex bodies mandated by the respective Naga peoples, they represent at this present juncture. It makes us wonder as to why some self -styled leaders are in such of a hurry for the formation of the organization, seemingly basing their reasons for doing so on exaggerated urgencies and unilateral politics. We the Nagas at present are in a predicament: we have too many public organizations than is necessary and the really bad ones are those with political agendas on their menus. ” Birds of the same feather flocks together”, so the saying goes and thus” sometimes like-minded people come together for reasons best known only to them.”
More organization means more headache as people become confused as to which organization is genuinely working for them and ones which are not! Sometimes, a power hungry person with vested interests and an ulterior motive may take over the reins of leadership and in the process, causes turmoil and instability in the society. Yes, we definitely need good leaders; but self- styled leaders are not anyone’s cup of tea for sure!
As of now, the Nagas have competent bodies, looking after their affairs: the Naga Students’ Federation for the students: the Naga Hoho, the ENPO for the Nagas in general and the Naga Mothers ‘Association for the women folk. Thus, we feel that at the end, creation of more organizations would only breed misunderstanding and clash of egos at one stage or the other in the not too distant future.
The world’s population as of 2011 was 7 billion out of which India had 1,210,193,422 which was 16.16% of the world’s population. On the other hand, Nagaland’s population was 19, 8060 which is just 0.16% of India’s total population. We need to be realistic and ask ourselves as to where we stand in the equation? Do we need divisions and partisan politics? The total population of the Nagas as a whole is approximately 3 millions. We need to pull our resources together and join hands as Nagas. A small state like Nagaland cannot afford to have public organizations playing partisan/divisive roles.
As a matter of fact, we feel that the hands of the apex Naga social organizations like the Naga Hoho and the ENPO should be strengthened. We therefore, appeal to one and all to give your valuable cooperation to these two bodies so that our identity as a Naga is preserved, and that every Naga’s identity is appreciated wherever one may live or reside, regardless of the artificial boundaries that were arbitrarily created by the colonial powers, because the Nagas are one and do share a common destiny even though we may live in separate states or separate countries.
L Puni Kadena
Aaron Kewi
Kolapfii Ade
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