Naga society needs role models— Niketu Iralu

KOHIMA — At the World Red Cross Day event held in Kohima on Wednesday, peace activist Niketu Iralu stressed the urgent need for setting higher standards and establishing role models within Naga society. He suggested that the Red Cross Society, with its principles of humanitarian service, could serve as an example in this regard.

Reflecting on Naga society’s challenges, Iralu expressed concern over the current state of Naga society, pointing out that both the ‘underground’ movement and the ‘overground’ government have, in his view, destroyed themselves and the people for whom they came into being.

Stating that nowadays, governance by ministers and MLAs seem to revolve around, “collecting enough money for the next election”, he questioned whether “politicians and bureaucrats, although they will be the first to admit that they are not saints, have become helpless victims of voters,” who have huge expectations for development, but themselves, continue to “live as selfishly and irresponsibly as we like.”

Iralu opined that unless each person accepts their duty and responsibility to do whatever they do excellently and properly, the society will collapse into a self-created black hole.

He argued that while it’s convenient to blame politicians, it is crucial for each person to recognise that without embracing change and responsibility individually, the very essence of society will deteriorate.

“Given the enormously increased threats and dangers today due to the immense increase in populations of nations, climate change, depletion of resources, so on, the uncomfortable truth is that blaming, irresponsible use of excuses etc., are now unaffordable luxuries we have to leave behind,” he added.

Further, he drew parallels to the Red Cross Society founder, Henry Dunant’s observation that dealing only with the “disease process” is insufficient.

In the same way that managing an epidemic is essential and must be executed meticulously, unless the origins of the disease like water, air and soil pollution, unclean drains and garbage dumps, etc., are also dealt with thoroughly, the cycle of epidemics will persist.

This, he asserted, is a crucial reality that all societies aspiring for progress must grasp and embrace the necessary changes as integral to their standard way of thinking and living.

During the programme which was organised by the Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland (IRCSN) State Branch at its conference hall in Kohima, Dr. R Rose Chakhesang, a member of the IRCSN Managing Committee, echoed the event’s theme of ‘keeping humanity alive.’

She said that despite how Artificial Intelligence and robots are solving all human problems, humanity will still be alive and continue to keep the core values of life like love, compassion, kindness, and support.

The event also featured messages from the IRCSN Secretary General, Governor La. Ganesan (President of IRCSN), and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio (Vice President of IRCSN). IRCSN members also presented Governor Ganesan with a Red Cross sticker at the Raj Bhavan, Kohima.

Other highlights included song presentations by Zoe Group and Junior Red Cross, G Rio school students. Several founding members and pioneers also attended the event.