Nine years, Nine mistakes on Nagaland and by Nagaland

(this blog had the unique distinction of being commented upon by veteran Naga leader S C Jamir) 

New Delhi 

"Do not shrink from the truth for fear of offending men in high places". - Dr S. Radhakrishnan 

Nagaland has a unique mannerism of following a wrong trajectory. Last nine years could well be proof of it. In Nagaland, levels and prospects of development, governance and science and technology are discussed mostly in terms of 'what's my benefit'. In other words the emphasis is on how much cash inflow is there and how efficiently one can tap those for individual and family benefits. 

'Nagaland Page'

One former MP says the money that comes in vis-a-vis corruption etc are also ill-spent as in most cases the easy availability of cash has given offshoots to various vices around the alphabet W. Children go haywire. 

There is also growing influence of Drugs; and a key aspect the society is neglecting is the Brain-drain.

Now comes the last nine years of the Modi government and the hype around BJP's claims that India has leapfrogged into a new era. From Rahul Gandhi to Kewekhape Therie and Mamata Banerjee to Arvind Kejriwal, of course they have different versions. But each four have different reasons to look back. Let us leave that for another day.

About the mistakes committed by Nagaland and mistakes committed by stakeholders and New Delhi on Nagaland, one can say the first mistake has been that all discussions and debate about the state and the people have been divorced from pragmatism and harsh political and economic reality.

If Naga leaders still remained in a psychic 'tug of war' on whether - should they continue peace parleys and yet keep the Solution at a distance, for Delhi the mistake was too close and yet too far. Then comes a gentleman called Himanta Biswa Sarma and why and how some leaders sought to draw 'personal benefits' causing immense harm to the long term vision for the state. 

What's going around in Manipur could be a trailer for what can happen to the rest of northeast.

Second mistake has been around New Delhi's indecisiveness. Narendra Modi has been a decisive man and does not shy away from taking risks, but with regard Naga peace talks his government behaved like Narasimha Rao's -- "not to take decision was the real decision". 

One can link replacement of R N Ravi as the Governor in this context. And Naga leaders will also regret that Ravi's battle against a folly in the system was taken as a challenge to an individual's ego. Worse was the farewell boycott at Kohima.

RN Ravi: Made genuine progress in parleys

The third mistake was the help provided by the BJP central leadership to "legitimize NDPP's faulty policy". While Chingwang Konyak could have been little more assertive in his politics at this age; the admirers of genuine regionalism politics (like this journo) have been let down by the silence of good soul Shurhozelie. 

A man with an eye for details went absolutely off the target. A costly mistake by NPF and they continue to do so, maybe. 

Fourth, the people should own their responsibility. A great mistake in treating elections as money-making seasons --- polls after polls. Less we speak on this, it is better. The election machinery too can be blamed.

But on this most interesting quote has come from a Northern Angami II voter -- "Who says there is money in election, we did not get even bus fare". Reportedly one AAP leader later remarked, "I did not want to counter that poor fellow".

Fifth - on the socio-education sector and career building. The society also needs to strike a balance between religion and science. Neglect of science. How many science cities and institutes as against religious buildings have come up in last nine years? The society needs to promote science more. 

Sixth, what about the agri front? The joke is the moment the news spread that each farmer can earn Rs 6000, the numbers of 'farmers officially' increased. Can Nagaland raise its food production? Bhoot Jhalokia has reached London -- but is that confined to PM Modi's tweet. 

What about the spread of modern agri knowledge?

Seventh, the pressure groups and NGOs allegedly surrendered to political bosses. NTC was an exception and GB Federation was almost forced to silence with a notice from Commissioner. And when these organisations wanted to put pressure, the 'efficient' political leadership of NDPP-BJP regime has landed in the Supreme Court. The challenge now - as Governor La Ganesan told 'Nagaland Page' - one has to kill the snake but save the stick too. 

Eighth, there is no realisation that not being practical and not being grounded on economy is a roadmap to hara-kiri. Even Deng Xiaoping at one point believed that without economic growth, his communist party will collapse. 

Here the question of existence relates to the society as a whole and its overall simpleton population. The people here still love merry making and to lay down large table for guests. It is ironic that such an open and lionhearted society today stands at crossroads. 

Last week's 'Nagaland Page' headline -- 'Paiwang Konyak Meets FM ~ Hat & Bowl In Hand' sums up the paradox of prosperity.

And finally, the ninth -- the human capital and man-woman relationship. A man who instigated the tremor of 2017 knows in 2023 where the shoe can pinch. A 'good democracy' has a strong element of competition; it cannot be based on mere participation and yet keeping one group always on the driving seat. 

If one wants to decide what will be cooked in the kitchen for a weekend dinner, the same man has to be 'democratic' enough in allowing the other person to decide which mall or market one can do the window shopping.

Disregarding the productive potential of one formidable section that is the 50 percent is a costly game. I often display MCP characteristics. But for public good, this "male chauvinist' scribe can always send his daughter to conquer mars to moon - provided she deserves it and is hard working enough.

  

ends 

1. Dream Merchants and Debates divorced from Reality

2. Indecisive Delhi - Shunting out of Governor R N Ravi 

3. BJP helped NDPP legitimizing its faulty policy 

4. Making elections - money-making seasons

5. Neglect of science. 

6. What about agri crisis?

7. Pressure groups and NGOs surrender to political bosses.

8. No focus on economy

9. Not Unleashing women power 

blogger's Ma with her grand daughter