The imbalance of tradition and modernity in Nagaland

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he entire India is agog with regard to the forthcoming general elections to the Lok Sabha elections 2014 slated for sometime in May. And rightly so the people should be concerned as to which party should come to power and hold the reins of India’s destiny.
As of now, the (so far) everlasting Indian National Congress (INC) and the redoubtable BJP are the main contenders. The former still might eventually anoint Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi as the next Premier should the party win. The BJP would, of course, try to wrest the said post through Narendra Modi with his rhetoric and visions of a far more industrialized India. That, however, is for the electorate to decide.As the largest democracy in the world, India is different from the United States—the last bastion of democracy in today’s context—in that the latter is more or less confined to the Democratic and Republican Parties. Whereas, India has numerous political parties a good number of which have blazed for a while and then set into oblivion—in some cases they rebelled against the original party and renamed themselves like an amoeba which goes on dividing itself endlessly.
The newly formed Aam Aaadmi Party (AAP) made its maiden entry in a blazing victory in Delhi Union Territory ousting the Congress headed by veteran Sheila Dixit and then its leaders headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal along with some of his ministers and supporters got into the news vis-à-vis the alleged drug and prostitution racket in South New Delhi plus its aftermath. Therefore, it will need time to prove its mettle.
All this while, the general Naga public apparently does not seem to be much concerned about who comes to power in the Centre. As it is, there has been much speculation as to who would represent the NPF Party in the forthcoming LS polls. A few months ago, there had been news that some NPF leaders had declared that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would not be allowed to contest for it. That too, when he was out of station.
Whether or not such a declaration was preplanned, it has been quite obvious of the years of NPF-led DAN government that the party has failed to throw up a leader who can stand in Rio’s shoes with as much political acumen. Legislators or supporters or both. Be that as it may, despite complaints as well allegations from some quarters, the NPF-led DAN Government has brought development to the State particularly in its attempts to empower a new generation of young entrepreneurs.
Then just a couple of weeks ago, Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir refuted a news report in a local daily (not Eastern Mirror) that he had not declared anything that had to do with contesting the LS polls since he was still in service. He said that he was taking retirement so that others who had served the State for 35 years could also get an opportunity to take over the reins after him before retirement. In fact, the veteran bureaucrat relinquishes office as we go to press and will make way for his colleague and companion in life Banuo Z Jamir.
On the other hand, the NPCC (Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee) is yet to announce its candidate. What is apparent is that while several are qualified and capable, there is no one of the political stature to win the LS polls in the State ever since the impact left by the NPF-led DAN coalition.
What is more apparent is that since the BJP is an ally of the NPF and our ruling State government would morally be bound to support it at the Centre also although then NPF MP in the LS once voted in favour of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s UPA-led Government contrary to an NPF diktat.
The wheels of elections will keep turning as long as democracy lasts. But while governments change and along with it economic priorities … what underlines the health of a nation and of a state is the social status of its citizens.
In Nagaland, recent developments coming to the forefront indicate an uneasy decline in social norms. If that is worrisome enough the glaring apathy or lack of action indicates that the unfolding scenario is beyond address of the “traditional customary laws and rights” and the privileges such rules accord. At some stage if modernity is to be embraced by a traditional society, the laws that govern worlds outside also need to be in place.
What should be of utmost concern for us citizens of the State is that ever since prior to the Christmas and following holidays, we have had to read of the Mukalimi incident as a consequence of the harassment of two women and passengers while traveling at night from Dimapur to Zunheboto. This was followed by the Karbi-Rengma clash/imbroglio in Karbi Anglong, killing of nine Karbis at Pachaspura in Chumukedima, the gang rape of a teenager in DDSC stadium, the gang rape at gun point of a married woman by eight persons at Dimapur. And in the State capital, a young pregnant woman was brutally tortured by her husband’s former wife along with three men.
In addition, we still have the ongoing differences between the several factions with the role of the FNR (forum for Naga Reconciliation) coming under fire.
Simultaneously, Nagaland s has earned laurels in other spheres like the most recent one being the release of District Human Development Report (DHDR) of six districts by Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar on Republic Day. DHDR is said to be crucial for the planning process of the state. The project is part of the millennium Development Goals proposed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). DHDR is based on three aspects of human development—empowerment through education, health and livelihood, and additional feature on gender empowerment and environment.
Besides, we have a high literacy rate of 80.11% as compared to the national average of 70.04%. Nevertheless, the moot point/question is that to what extent does it satisfy us? The number of unemployed Naga males, is increasing and ironically, the growth of the construction and infrastructural sector in the state has not helped in easing the unemployment index because “there are no Naga or local workers”.
A recent GoI -UNDP report says “although there are significant career opportunities in other sectors, the unemployed Nagas refuse to opt for anything that is not government”. Our youngsters then now need to be inculcated with the motive to earn through other legitimate means.
It all boils down to what Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar said that the problems confronting the Nagas can only be resolved through unity and cooperation. For this, peace is an essential ingredient and the most important pre-requisite to achieve progress and prosperity. We alone have to solve our very own problems. Any takers?