Poverty threatens the dignified well being of the people, and all too often it is accompanied by poverty of the mind that has a demoralizing effect on humanity. Let’s reflect on what the good life is. Some may pursue accumulating financial wealth, status and affluence, which amounts to buying happiness, while, for others, it could mean having liberty and dignity. If everyone pursues happiness differently, how is happiness attained, can money actually buy happiness?
It is obvious why people often assume that monetary well-being and feeling fine are connected, especially if they believe that money buys happiness. Consumerism drives production where people become trapped the endless cycle to earn more money is never satisfied. Clearly, extreme materialism fed by consumerism are the direct result of greed and desire, which directly contributes to impoverishing all humanity that eventually demoralizes the human spirit.
The impoverished human mind is obstructed from pursuing meaningful values of life. This can be seen when societies become stagnant, stuck, and are unable to progress. It results into an inward looking persona and negate attempts to consciously step outwardly towards vitality. This impact naturally influences a nation’s ethos and growth, allowing little or no room to think and reflect. Consequently, past mistakes are manifested in the present, and the cycle is repeated with negative effects until a society recovers its consciousness to correct itself through self-criticism.
Nagas today are challenged with the realities of an internalized poverty mindset where they are impoverished of social and economic well-being, the consequences of which can span several generations.
Perhaps what is needed at the moment for the Nagas is moral and political courage to engage at many levels to creatively propel the imagination needed to nurture hope and possibilities that lead to action. Some people of great faith have indicated that courage is not bravado, but, in essence, an inner strength and the willingness to speak the truth in spite of fear of reprisals. Objectivity provides the space for stakeholders to more deeply examine issues without being as attached to their positions. This, in turn, empowers the people, and, to have the political courage to address issues without allowing partisan politics to interfere and divert its natural discourse.
There is no time like the present for all Nagas to participate and take ownership on issues that affect their lives, and those of future generations. The stench of indifference and complacency is eroding the moral imagination impoverishing the Naga mind to an undignified state. Eventually a new generation maturing with increasing concern for the Nagas’ dignified existence will discern with a far-sightedness that focuses on the integrity of nature and a new uplifting meaning of life.
In the end, political courage is the living power of human perception that nurtures and expands a vision for the future by transcending the existing realities which are limited by present conditions of an impoverished mind. Nagas can transcend these conditions.
