Thannganing Hungyo
Whenever a murder, rape or a criminal offence of a serious nature erupts in Naga society, the newspapers are filled with condemnations from political parties, civil societies, groups and individuals the very next day after the news breaks. The thing is- are we going beyond condemnations, beyond stating that we share the grief of the affected person (s). Should we not involve our resources to curb the occurrence of such offences? Can we afford to remain idle and allow only law enforcing agencies to jump into action?
The average newspaper reader here, I must say, emits a gasp of astonishment after reading a controversial or eye-catching headline but fails to ask himself/herself the question- How? In this milieu, I stress more on How than Why for it is only when we ask ourselves how we can stop senseless violence that we come to comprehend why a crime is committed.
We have many ignited minds that understand and specialise in the areas they’re good at. One cannot compress the entire world into a tiny brain called the human mind. However, if experts comment on an issue they’re adept in and make the masses aware of the complications of the issue through the media, a revolution can take place.
This is when the reader or listener must intelligently scrutinize and analyse the news and channel his thoughts towards what is right. When a conflict of emotions or confusion as to which is which arises one can easily refer to the Ten Commandments. Let us not forget we are Christians. At the same time, let us not forget Shakespeare’s famous line- the devil can cite scripture.
Things are not okay in Nagaland. We give too much importance to status and in the process fragile, inflated egos are born. People look at the specially tailored dress one is wearing but fail to admire the beautiful mind ensconced in the mind of one wearing an old Tee and faded jeans.
The gloss of a flashy car captures our attention more than the words of wisdom emanating from the educated tongue of a wise old man. We’re also very chutzpah. For those who came in late, being chutzpah is when one copies from a friend during an examination and then blames the same friend shamelessly if he/she fails to pass the examination. Yes, the blame game is more popular in Nagaland than football and cricket put together.
We have to rise and shine rather than wish the desultory good morning to each other. The twenty first century’s windows of the world are open to us. Hey! Life is good if we know how to live it.
