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By M Chuba Ao
The world is talking about Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine. This came within six weeks after his visit to Russia and meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky played good host and as usual Shri Modi ji - a Prime Minister with a massive mandate for three consecutive terms in a country of 140 crore Indians - played a dignified guest. The meeting went off well and the international media too covered it with much enthusiasm.
Let us remain hopeful on that front.
India’s now famous Moditva-inspired Diplomacy as a policy since 2014 and especially after the war had begun has served the country’s overall interests well.
Along with the hopes to herald a new era of peace in the context of Russia-Ukraine conflict also comes a few important developments in the country itself. The ‘Kolkata horror’ is a sad reminder that mere political ambitions and favourable media coverage do not ensure good governance.
That is because the Trinamool Congress dispensation led by the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today shows that things have gone out of control under her. Hooliganism, nepotism, goondaism and corruption have now become the order of the day in West Bengal. Our party, BJP, has raised the issue effectively. There are nationwide and even international protests againstmisrule of Mamata Banerjee. She should have resigned by now but when there is no morality left - such a thing cannot be accepted.
Look at the selective statements from Congress leaders on the Kolkata tragedy. Rather there have been only a few guarded and selective statements from the towering personalities such as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (also a woman) and Rahul Gandhi.
Closer home in northeast, ever since the Modi government returned to power in June this year; thereare again talks about the need for an early Solution pact vis-a-vis the Naga peace talks.
Our government and key central stakeholders are well aware of the issues involved.
But before we hope for a decisive and a determined step from the Prime Minister; will it not be wise to talk about the roles our own people and leaders have played in the context of the Solution? Of course, Heaven will not fall or some mega drastic thing will not happen to give us a paradise. But we should be ready for the new changes. The common people, politicians and social workers at all levels should also make sacrifices and work for the Solution.
Here comes my quarrel with the Congress party. India’s grand old party has failed to solve the Naga problem and also failed to integrate Nagas and other tribals with the mainstream.
We want Peace, Development and Solution; but whenever I return from my trip to Delhi or any other place, I am more often asked - “How was your trip to India?” Some common people say it innocuously and without any ill motive. This happens with other states in the northeast too.
That means - we look towards New Delhi only for money and benefits and back in our villages we keep thinking and daydreaming -- some miracles will happen and there will be a perfect paradise for us. We start hoping that life will move automatically without New Delhi’s or India’s love, support and assistance.
The Naga talks and discussions at various levels were completed by October 2019. But then suddenly - out of nowhere there came two demands of Flag and Constitution. How many people and leaders really worked hard to convince the concerned players that such demands can never be met?
It is a collective failure of all concerned in the state of Nagaland.
Look at the history. The ‘Naga country’ - we may describe - was probably conquered by the British between 1879 and 1880. Till 1947-48, there was peace and tranquillity in Naga hills. The Nagas were allowed to manage their affairs in the villages according to our customs. There was only one Deputy Commissioner at Kohima, and a Sub-divisional Officer at Mokokchung. The Naga people also remained ‘good citizens’ of the British paying nominal house taxes.
When someone says India conquered Naga areas; the reality is the Britishers conquered Naga areas and the Govt. of India only inherited the land, people and the problems in 1947.
People criticise the 16 Point Agreement that brought the statehood. The fact of the matter is that was the best bargain made by our past leaders and the founding fathers of the state. But no lessons have been learnt.
Unreasonable things are accepted as Biblical truths and even the propaganda of communist ideologies is accepted. It is sad.
Good opportunities for peace and development came in 1997. The central governments under both the BJP dispensations led by Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Shri Narendra Modi worked sincerely and in details.
Two pacts inked in 2015 (Framework Agreement) and in 2017 (Agreed Position) were major milestones. But the golden opportunities are almost wasted.
Hence, it is time to give up unreasonable demands and settle down for pacts and agreements that is pragmatic. Selfishness of any individual should not be imposed on the entire state and the people. Narendra Modi is a leader who is decisive and who loves to work sincerely for the people of northeast; but in Nagaland the people and the leaders and social workers should be now ready to create a real conducive situation to sign a final Solution Agreement.
Or else, tomorrow, there may not be enough room and opportunity left to make corrections either.
M Chuba Ao is BJP National Vice President.
Views are personal