Every day Ethos in the ‘Land of Festivals’

Jack T. Chakhesang [dropcap]E[/dropcap]ach day which comes every day is a festival of sorts in this our beloved Nagaland reputedly the “Land of Festivals”. This is in spite of the fact that many expected, and unexpected things, things tend to happen. For better or worse. The real holiday season may be said to fly off with the (now) ten-day Hornbill Festival also known as the “Festival of Festivals.” Beginning on December First, it coincides with Nagaland’s Statehood Day and later on, with the International (anti) AIDS Day.During this period, final exams are over and results announced, followed by Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations and beyond meaning new terms of schools have started now. In between, Jubilees, Silver, Golden, Diamond, even Platinum are celebrated by some churches in villages and towns, students organizations, sports associations and NGOs. There is renewal of traditional fraternal bonds between clans of two villages plus other social, cultural and even political functions. Many weddings also take place. As a matter of fact, many VVIPs and VIPs do not enjoy any real holiday as such because of their commitment to attend some such function or the other. Because of the huge amounts of finances involved, austerity measures have been mooted so that dignitaries other than Legislators could also grace such occasions as chief guest or guest of honour. HARVEST SEASON The time is also in conjunction with the harvest season of most Naga tribes. Ours is basically and primarily an agricultural society. Even today, around 80% of the population lives in the rural areas and some in semi-urban towns. Since our culture revolves around agriculture and its allied activities, they have in turn influenced our ways of life through festivals, customs, traditions and economy accordingly. Our history has thus been defined and added with (whatever) benefits of education. Field Marshal Sir William Slim who commanded the Allied Forces in the Burma Campaign during World War II, wrote in “Defeat into Victory”: The character of a people is shaped by the type of land they have been inhabiting for the past 400 to 500 years. It goes without saying that hard work underlies every positive aspect of our lives. What it all boils down to at its barest essentials are food, clothing and shelter. Incidentally, there is a Hindi film “Roti, Kapda aur Makaan” also. The land is not increasing. Rather, it is decreasing by a few inches a century as the Indian plate is sinking beneath the Burmese plate as per the geological concept of continental drift and plate tectonics. This makes the entire north-east region a seismic-prone zone. On the other hand, the population is increasing every second of every minute of every hour of every day by the thousands. The concern here arises as to whether or not our land has enough resources to feed and sustain our people as of now. If so, then how? If not, why not? Then looms the spectre for which our State having to pay hundreds of crores of Rupees annually for import of assorted food stuffs including meat on hoof, poultry, fish and other essential commodities for daily use. All this is in addition to payment of imported labour. Therein lay the danger of being overwhelmed by the onslaught of more enterprising cultures. To assuage the anguish of increasing unemployment and near starvation on many fronts like development, communication, education, et al, the majority of the people had since early 2003 thrice voted the DAN government to power giving maximum mandate to NPF based on its slogan “Development for Peace and Peace for Development.” Now, there are tremors within the NPF itself. Surely the people had not sowed their faith and trust for such a harvest? But it is also true that people get the leaders and/or the government it deserves. SYMBOLIC CELEBRATIONS Needless to emphasize, expenditures have increased---more so these days due to rise in prices of so many items except for cost of petrol which has come down slightly. Then too, the concern for almost each and every family is to clear school/college and hostel fees plus textbooks, uniforms etc. These are besides the onus of providing adequate and nourishing food on the table. All part and parcel of life. No two ways about it. Be that as it may, to be more precise, Christmas and New Year’s Day are but symbolic celebrations. The former may be seemingly prominent by new clothes and gifts for the children, lighted cone-shaped trees, cakes, cards, the sound of many bells etc. But the real significance is the birth of the MESSIAH on this great day that brings hope into the world for all. Nevertheless, the day is but a necessary prelude to another which outranks it in both the biblical and liturgical expressions, namely, Jesus’ Crucifixion on the Cross and His Resurrection. First comes the fast and then the feast. For without a Good Friday, there can never be an Easter Sunday. It may thus be assured that our faith and hopes should be maintained every day throughout the year and all the years ahead. Therein lies the core and essence of Christianity. NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS It is for sure that out of the world’s 7.5 billion people, millions and millions make New Year resolutions. Different cultures and religions observe their New Year’s Day at different times but the first of January is universally accepted. The concept of resolutions anywhere is basically the same. People decide on their goal(s) to achieve, negative habits to erase and improve on others. Whether or not they succeed is their lookout. But it would not be an exaggeration to say that many fail in their attempts and fall by the wayside of the year. The definiteness of a goal has to be a right one added with enthusiasm and the sustaining strength to accomplish that goal through. Necessary inspiration and motivation help. Good use of time is important also. Self-confidence which is the first requisite to great undertakings is to take a step at a time. As Chinese philosopher Lao Tse said: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” So, merely making resolution does not suffice for you have to follow through every day of the year. Above all, have faith and pray, shall we? NAGALAND’S NEW YEAR Kidnappings for ransom, extortions, arrest of criminals, law breakers and habitual offenders, road accidents and many other anti-social activities are undesired but they happen as usual. So also is the diktat by some faction or the other of the NPGs to impose prohibition by closing down wine shops and for which they announce in the local media. The latest is that conveyed by UT-1 of the NFG with Dimapur and its suburbs as the main targets in a few days time. The moot question is will such diktat improve the lot of the people? According to past experience, such diktats had been implemented albeit for a short while and then quietly fizzled out. In the process, the prices of all brands of IMFL shot up along with that of the local brew. The State Govt. had failed to strictly implement prohibition for the past 25 years during which time an entire new generation has been born and even graduated. There are valid reasons for in favour of ensuring that wet Nagaland becomes dry. However, the fact that thousands upon thousands depend on the sale of local brew (which is a traditional tipple) for their livelihood should not be overlooked. Besides, there is the economic adage that where there is demand supply will always be there somehow. This latest diktat coming as it does in the first month of the year may or may not augur well in the long run but what exactly is the undisclosed agenda behind it? Not only the public in general but also the Church which is a powerful and influential institution, must also deeply introspect on this as also most other issues. For, how long can we, the people, live with and under such contradictions? To add spice in this first month is that Ato Kilonser Thuingaleng Muivah, has just left for New Delhi to join Isak Chishi Swu. The format of talks between Government of India and NSCN(IM) has reportedly been changed for the ultimate aim to find an amicable solution to the long-pending Indo-Naga political problem. The DAN government paved the way for further development and progress---at least during its first two tenures. Now the major alliance partner NPF is rocked by dissension within itself. The other alliance partners, namely, BJP, JD(U) , NCP and Independents have prudently maintained that it is an “internal affair” of the NPF. And this had to happen in the first week of the first month of the entire year 2015! The almost daily allegations and counter-allegations even to the point of personal denigration as reported in the media, has put us on the stage where the entire world is staring (maybe laughing also) at us the Naga people in general. Does it augur well for us? THE NPF IMPASSE Both Dr Shurhozelie-TR Zeliang and Noka Wangnao-G. Kaito Aye groups have publicized their views and stands and these are now in the knowledge of the people to decide in whosoever’s favour. The former maintains that the current impasse must be resolved politically. Its target is for continuity of government---perhaps with some mildest form of discipline for some of the dissidents. The latter continues rattling its sabres because it believes it holds the aces with its upper hand. Dr Shurhozelie and Noke Wangnao have written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) justifying their stands. The ECI will give a decision after it receives their replies/rejoinders to one another as to which is the rightful NPF. So, the impasse will continue a few days more. To blame and counter-blame any of our elected representatives is not the solution. The people already know who is who and what is what. Politics described as the “art of the science of government” is the greatest game and can be addictive like gambling. One may be losing but still harbours hope of seeing the light at the end of the dark tunnel by winning the grand stakes when the game concludes. Unfortunately, politics can also be vicious and unforgiving to last a life time. The urgent need of the hour is for the two teams to reconcile by calling a spade a spade in order to give and take. THE SILVER LINING Despite all this brouhaha, what is encouraging is that write-ups by concerned citizens from various walks of life, have appeared regularly in the media for and against while suggesting a compromise in this political impasse. The Opposition Congress has also aired its views. The NBCC and other Church authorities have tried to mediate between the Legislators who are brothers of the same political entity but so far, to no avail. However, there have been broad hints to our honourable Governor to take a firm decision for concrete action. Fallout of it all is that the circulation of the local newspapers has increased since the people are very much concerned one way or the other. They may not know the Latin phrase “vox populi vox dei” but they certainly know that the voice of the people is the voice of God and is supreme. GOVERNOR’S CALL Governor P.B. Acharya had not intervened according to what many had expected as he, no doubt, felt that the matter must be resolved within the NPF itself. At the same time, he must waive any advice (if at all) to the effect that there might be fallout of unexpected consequences were he to take a stronger hand in the matter. He must act without fear or favour. Eventually and ultimately, Governor may have to exercise his constitutional privilege calling for a session of the Legislative Assembly. The outcome of such a move could be expected, or unexpected, including imposition of President’s Rule. WHERE THEN? Of one thing Leo Tolstoy was certain about history: “None of us, no general, no leader, could control events. Indeed the greatest king was history’s slave.” Meanwhile, let us keep praying not only for our very own selves but also for the beginning of good and even better governance in the immediate future.