Dr Dietho-O, Kohima
INTRODUCTION
I am constrained to share my mind with our people again over today’s situation, running like a state of helter-skelter, in which everything makes sense and nothing makes sense. For a moment, let us move from all distractions to the central issue…
1. STATUS QUO: The present arrangement of placing our people in separate states and countries is unacceptable. No genuine Naga can afford to remain idle or static. It is always an emphatic ‘NO’ to status quo.
2. THE UNAVOIDABLE: We cannot change history and geography. We cannot take our land and people away elsewhere. We have to deal with India and Burma/Myanmar. The British also owe us an explanation over its silence on the issue.
3. OUR RELIANCE: Our existence does not have to be just whatever happens in the course of time and at the mercy of chances. No nation or kingdom, big or small, is safe and strong enough to be permanent on its own. The only secure and eternal one is that of God. Our prayer for all Nagas is “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matt 6:10).
4. WHAT WE ARE: A tiny people surrounded by gigantic nations. We have a case, a political issue for which we are known. Small yet powerful. We are strong in war but weak in peace.
5. WHAT WE ARE NOT: Neither secessionists, separatists nor anti-nationals, though we are often labelled insurgents, extremists, agitators, undergrounds, etc. We are not a people without valid, undeniable and legitimate identity, records or documents.
6. IDEA SHIFT: Today we tend to think too small, thereby producing brands of politicians functioning as expedients and pragmatists whose foundation or base is on situational ethics only. Our ancestors, with great vision and sacrifices launched our movement, taught by word and deed, travelled in safe zone adopting all fair, viable and democratic means. We need to think big today, lest we lose focus.
7. FINALITY: The word ‘FINAL’ is irrelevant. We have to understand the position of India and Burma/Myanmar (their potentials as well as limitations), keeping a door open always for future generations. We are in transition. We are strugglers and becomers.
8. THE FINE-TUNING: Only experienced and accomplished musicians with enough skills know how to fine-tune the instrument; Only the wearer knows where the shoe pricks; Too many cooks may spoil the broth. But the negotiating team must take their senior colleagues who matter into confidence for vital decisions on national affairs. May the process leave no stone unturned.
9. OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY: The public want their leaders to be saints and transparent whereas we ourselves are often not. It is our duty to help them come closer to one another. NATIONAL INTEREST is above all other interests, of which we have many. May all our national workers keep their priority. How good it will be if our leaders could brace themselves to duties without fear or favour in response to the repeated appeals and demands, so that coming generations can say- “They have not failed. They have done their best. They have passed on the baton. We shall prepare ourselves To respond to the call of our time.” And if the Naga nation lasts for a thousand years, men will say “It was their finest moment”.
10. A WILD IDEA: Can the leaders from so-called advanced tribes take a breather or respite from all hectic activities over by-products or side issues? That will be a good indicator of future weal or well-being and for the common good of all Nagas and all their lands. When impulse conflicts with reality, sooner or later reality wins.
CONCLUSION
Issues confronting Nagas are political. But our days are flooded with tribal, social, spiritual, psychological and personal issues. We tend to lose our vision and cast off all restraints (Prov. 29:18). People who lead and influence others are expected to inspire. May the coming days usher in better thinking amongst our people in and for upper reaches. We don’t lose hope because our best is yet to be. God help us.
