Since childhood this has been one of my favourite idioms. Not only for the fun which is associated with it but also for providing the realisation that we need to enjoy the fruits of our labour and seize opportunities. Literally put, One of the prerequisites for making Hay is that the basic ingredients, raw material i.e grass to be dried, should be available. Then only it is possible to make Hay. Or metaphorically put, it means one should seize the opportunity when it presents itself before it lapses. So let us make Hay my friends! Literally and metaphorically. Let us see whether we have the basic ingredient: grass albeit money. One look and visit around the rural areas gives you an uneasy feeling that we are backward, steeped in ignorance and lack basic modern amenities. So where has all the money (basic ingredient) gone. Who has got it and making Hay while the majority are lost in passive existence, absorbed in going about doing their mundane tasks. Nah! No rocket science to pin point these People! They are the few privileged people in public office and self proclaimed public office: political class and NPGs. It is a one way street, whatever money comes, finds its way only to the coffers of selected few. So can we the majority make Hay while the Sun is shining. I am afraid Not! Now let's metaphorically apply and examine the situation. Are there opportunities for the Government to function and develop the State, The Youth to innovate and excel, The NPGs to resolve the Naga Political crisis and arrive at an honorable and practical agreement with the Government of India. The answer is an emphatic Yes... But are we grabbing this opportunity. It needs no answer. So What is it that is holding us back. In my view it is the menace of corruption which brings easy money for the public servants, misguided youth and the NPGs . These groups consume majority of the money being poured into or generated by the system and distribute amongst themselves. The majority masses are not even aware or are deliberately indifferent to this mass and humongous crime being committed. The common people are to blame for their own miseries. We are happily letting it happen, who else to blame then? So coming back to the fundamental question of how do we also make Hay!!. The answer lies in the latent power of the people. Till the time we turn our backs to the wrongdoings, corrupt practices, keep paying the so called taxes to one and all; we can only bask in the sunshine but the hay will be made by the Few. What better opportunity is there than now. There is relative peace, talks are underway, corruption is despised by all persons in individual capacity, literacy rates are high, awareness is high, identification of the disease or menace of corruption has been done. So what do we do! The only requirement is to rise as one United force and compel these so called leaders to call off the bluff and deliver tangible results in all spheres. If we can unite as a mob to lynch a wrong doer then certainly this is not a big ask. It only requires the right leadership and determined masses. For this to manifest, Youth are the key! They are the engine who can power this movement. Youth power has the capacity and capability to bring about revolutions. History is replete with umpteen examples. I exhort the youth to take charge. We have the organisational wherewithal with a number of youth organisations already in place and kicking. All it requires for them is to unite for this singular cause of Eradicating Corruption! And the rest will follow. Let us begin this change so that everybody can make Hay while the sun shines!!!
