Nagaland's 'Mann Ki Baat'
Caged birds take the art of flying as a sign of illness
New Delhi
The 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' has hit headlines. The themeand the content of what he have said in last nine years would dominate public spacedespite the 'dislike' displayed by a section of elite websites and English media.
Modi has remained unruffled for he counts the importance more in the context of 'Social Network' likes and retweets. Whatsapp is more than a university for him and the politics around Moditva. A singularBharat Jodo Yatra by one party which has less than 60 MPs in Lok Sabha may not be good enough to counterall that.
But we have sought to trigger another debate. What's 'mon-laga-kotha' in Nagaland? By 'mon' we mean the heart to heart talk and not the development-starved district which votes for NDPP and BJP despite the collection of potholes in the name of roads!
To commence the debate journey, it may be worthwhile to fall back on this quotefrom Alejandro Jodorowsky: “Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness".
The Chilean-French filmmaker is admired for his 'violently surreal images and a hybrid blend of mysticism and religious provocation", says Wikipedia.
Now on the ground. What are the challenges facing the state of Nagaland?
But before that, we may underline that the youth in Nagaland should claim back their state from the anarchy of the political class - and the greedy joint club of Netas, Babus and Businessmen. They deserve the whole of it, not just a part of it.
'Nagaland Page'
For long, the Nagaland state has disregarded socioeconomic, tribal/ethnic and political marginalisation as push-pull factors in misgovernance. By leaving it to New Delhi during Congress days and now to Himanta Biswa Sarma next door to decide the state's fate, the state of Nagaland seems to have framed governance as something that revolves primarily around the misinterpretation of law, practice and politicking. Consequently, the state is lost in ambiguity.
This ambiguity surrounding corruption, love for money and extremism has only benefited extremists,
corrupt and greedy lot. Lately one person who tried to do some 'soul searching' vis-a-vis 'mon-laga-katha'among Naga intellectuals is Late N I Jamir's son and Late Zopianga's son-in-law -- Alemtemshi Jamir.
My favourite flamboyant Babu of a typical old school. Perhaps Mr Alemtemshi still believes that it is "not difficult" to educate the people of the importance of their single vote that can change the world. Mr Alemtemshi made the references in his now gone-viral speech at the Mokokchung District College Students' Confluence.
When it comes to talking heart-to-heart; I ought to refer to Alemtemshi's cryptic remarks: "Today in a flatworld, with equality of opportunities for all, no matter where where you are in ... we have to competein a world governed by the law of survival of the fittest". My considered view has been that the state has notquite encouraged this 'fittest' element of survival in an objective manner.
Over the years the dependence has been on 'connections' -- either tribal, family and societal -- and when thosethings did not exist, people banked on bribery. This brings us to the next area of deep concern; the money power.Alemtemshi quoted legendary A Z Phizo stating that "Nagas would be defeated and enslaved only by money".
"All this is coming true today," Alemtemshi warns. He also raises another vital issue - "Our people have followedthe path of Village Candidates" --- and truly, this undermines the principles of democracy. Talking about electedlegislators, he says, "Once they have been elected, they are unable to stay in opposition even for a day".He also talks candidly that the MLAs are inclined for an 'opposition-less government'.
"What a mockery and caricature of democracy. Everything is reduced to money and power", he says; and one cannot agree more.
Another vital area touched in Alemtemshi's speech was the role played by Young Mizo Association (YMA) inreforming their society. Notably, the YMA achieved these in the contemporary settings only and also livingunder the same Indian system of corruption-hit Neta-Babu raj.
"If the Mizos can do it why not the Nagas," says Alemtemshi but he nearly forgets these are easier said than done.
Alem also underlines the need for a 'movement'. This is one area Nagas have shown not much inclination thoughpotentially every Naga is a rebel at home, in his town and in his society. But no one is willing to start a 'movement'to say -- "I will say no to the Bolero". In fact, the possible tale would be 'Why should I have one Bolero, when myworthless cousin has two and his worthless in-laws have five'.
Truth was honored, valor was respected in a traditional Naga society, says Alemtemshi and emphatically says,"we have to try and get back the essence of our culture".
But my humble diagnosis is that such a thing would not happen as long as people passively leave theirfate in the hands of one or two individuals. To be emotional is not a crime; rather it is a virtue and especiallyin the context of Nagas. Those of us -- the non-Nagas who have befriended Nagas admire the emotionalcreature in each of our friends. But logic should prevail in the ultimate.
To conclude, I fall back on the preamble to UNESCO's constitution that reads, “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be built.”
Rarely has a society looked so besieged and so exposed. These are truly terrible times. Nagalandneeds to opt for Solution to the political problem and a lasting peace irrespective of what many state politicians and popular leaders may not like in that scenario. Look at Himanta Biswa Sarma;he is getting even small groups to surrender arms and get a pat from top leaders in Delhi.
No 'mon-laga-kotha' in Nagaland can end without talking about the BJP and its partner NDPP. And my conclusiveremark is the present setup/arrangement has eliminated the distance between the two parties at highly discounted prices.
Happy Moatsu.
ends
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