Benito Z. Swu
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]o man is an island. It is a universal truth. But again when one is not trusted, one literally becomes an island. Yes, trust takes time, but again, one cannot be trusted when one is not willing to trust in the first place. And therefore, people with trust deficit, more often than not, have to begin all over again. Since I am writing this piece it is obvious I know about it. But yet again another hard lesson learned : Trust others and you will be trusted. Hey! Why is “seeing is believing” and trust really not going hand in hand? That desire in many of us to see positive changes in our society and culture is what is driving many, and it is stepping on toes but this freedom should not be compromised, even though this might turn out to be the ‘Achilles heel’ for some. Yours truly do know when he has been been boxed into a corner for crying out, but given the circumstances anybody would have cried out. Yours truly also knows that he has been outfoxed because of a very simple single word “change.” Was not change supposed to mean changes in the Naga community as a pluralistic society? Now, where from has this new meaning of change suddenly come into the picture. What has this personal “change” got to do with all this stuff? When did yours truly deny that he has lived a life which can be called anything but ‘exemplary’. Alcohol, drugs and associated everything had been there. Now cigarettes, tamul, 120, ghutka, and even that humble kaka sada is being brought to the round table. Aren’t all these personalized affair? Is it really fair? And what do the loverboy get? Trust? How will the loverboy during the process of change ever know that his dreamgirl has not eloped with one of her many other suitors? How will the loverboy remain assured that he will not be shortchanged as was earlier? What option has the loverboy have now? Nothing. A very sincere approach to reboot will be made, and people must remain the judge. Till now it has been your way. And till then, kindly please allow me to press the refresh button of our mind computer with this Akbar Birbal story.On a cold winter day Akbar and Birbal took a walk along the lake. A thought came to Birbal that a man would do anything for money. He expressed his feelings to Akbar. Akbar then put his finger into the lake and immediately removed it because he shivered with cold.
Akbar said, “I don’t think a man would spend an entire night in the cold water of this lake for money.” Birbal replied “I am sure I can find such a person.” Akbar then challenged Birbal into finding such a person and said that he would reward the person with a thousand gold coins. Birbal searched far and wide until he found a poor man who was desperate enough to accept the challenge. The poor man entered the lake and Akbar had guards posted near him to make sure that he really did as promised.
The next morning the guards took the poor man to Akbar. Akbar asked the poor man if he had indeed spent the night in the lake. The poor man replied that he had. Akbar then asked the poor man how he managed to spend the night in the lake. The poor man replied that there was a street lamp near by and he kept his attention affixed on the lamp and away from the cold. Akbar then said that there would be no reward as the poor man had survived the night in the lake by the warmth of the street lamp. The poor man went to Birbal for help. I think I need a Birbal today more than any other time in my life.
Lastly, a note to myself:
“What I must do is die now. I must accept the justice of death and the injustice of more “life”. I have had a good life – longer than many, better than most. A brother died when he was twentyfour. I have had fortyfive years. I couldn’t justify another day. I did not create myself, it is a gift. I am me, that is the miracle. I had no right to remain a single hour. Some remain a single minute. And yet I have had fortyfive years.
