Now that the much anticipated economic and political Messiah for Nagaland, the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi, has come and gone from Nagaland without any Christmas package or political road map; after witnessing a concocted and improvised cocktail Naga drill and foreign song, for a few minutes in the much advertised un-unique Horn Bill Festival this year; the question that remains now is: ‘Has the moment of truth come to the Nagas?’ The Prime Minister did not say anything on the much hoped for economic package to Nagaland; he did not say anything on the much pressed political dialogue with the IM.
If my humble understanding of the political firmament is correct, the Prime Minister talked about Nagaland like a part of the North East than a separate whole State. He mentioned 2G electronic connectivity for Nagaland when other parts of the country have 4G coverage; he promised a welcome program to take 10,000 Nagas on tour to different parts of India to widen their awareness while others are touring the western world and Israel to share the latest technologies of warfare, Innovations, Commerce and Trade.
The much expected ministerial berth for Nagaland has evaporated in the thin Arunachal mountain air; Guwahati Airport has become International, Dibrugarh is now in active consideration in Assam; Imphal Airport is already International in Manipur; Agartala Airport in Tripura, is being made into International Meghalaya has been put in the railway map of India.
In Nagaland we have yet to select the site for a Jet Airport! Luckily, Thanks to the Japanese invasion of British India, we have a WW II old air strip at Dimapur with a lethargic neglected Air Service.
Nagaland must wake up now from its life of prodigality and pledge ourselves to depend on us ourselves only and on our own perspiration. Until our Leaders decide to learn to earn their lifestyle with their own perspiration, the Nagas will be at the tail of others rather than at the head.
India has lost faith and respect on the Nagas. Nagas have lost their honor and the pride in their race: we are interested only in buying Tamul, chew it un-etiquette and spit on the Street and on the marble floor house!
This loss of Naga honor and Respect is not because of the people in the villages; it is squarely on the behavior of our leaders in the State, and in a big way, in the terrorist-tactics in the the so-called Naga National Workers.
The public must not tolerate anything of low standards in our Leaders. We must revamp the pride in our race and earn the respect of others with honesty, hard work, reality and respect for anything quality in life.
Like realist Khaplang making his decision first in the Interest of his people Nagas of Myanmar; the Nagas of Nagaland must now think exclusively first for Nagas of Nagaland us ourselves, without the interference of any other pan Naga riders.
Politically we have now come to glimpse the end of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim. It probably will end with a special arrangement without the disintegration of the States.
For too long Nagas have been enamored and mesmerized with Nagalim, because of the fear of saying anything different from what Muivah and Isaac Swu of Nagalim say. Anyone who said anything different was daubed ‘Traitors’ and given summery judgment not very different from the Talibans or the ISIS Jihadists in, Syria, Iraq or Kabul today.
So much so, that amazingly at one time even 60 members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly followed their Leader lock stock and barrel and filed up to Delhi to say: ‘Namaste” to the President of India to witness that the IM group’s talk with government of India is the talk between the Naga and India; even Dr. Reverends, scholars and economists followed!
Can a Part be the Whole anywhere in the World?
The influence of the IM Barrel was so amazing that all the wise cracks; the most educated Nagas and the so-called Scholars, tirelessly remained quiet except a very rare foolish few. The Wise everywhere know Silence is the best Policy when faced with Personal Interest in a difficult Situation. This educated Silence in the State, sided the wrong and brought us Nagas ourselves to this pass.
The IM thunder did not produce the promised rain, the dark clouds in the Sky are blowing away without rain quenching the thirsty land.
However, We may not assume everything that Muivah and Isaac Swu did were all bad. They will reap whatever is due to them; yet they greatly popularized the name Naga to many in the world, and perhaps the greatest thing they did was to hasten Christianity, if with AK 47 to the Myanmar Nagas.
It is hoped their works would bring benefits to the Nagas of Manipur. I hope other kith and kin tribes in Manipur are also uplifted out of the peace Process from violence. Nagas of Manipur will always be neighbors to the majority Manipuris till the world comes to an end and would therefore be wise to living in peaceful relationships with all communities.
Nagas of Nagaland must wake up and decide us ourselves what is best for Nagaland to do. The Naga’s desire to live together in one political jurisdiction will always live but for the present reality, Nagas of Nagaland must think very clearly and realistically and not let others interfere in their internal affairs of Article 371A.
The politics of the Nagas is a long long story; for the present let us stop here.
Let us come to the economic part: On the important Issue of economy, Nagaland needs first to take:
i. very realistic Austerity Measures,
ii. innovate on Renewable Energy Sources,
iii. not exhaust our non-Renewable Resources prematurely now.
The greatest Revenue Resources lie in:
A. taxing the surplus in the Rich.
The Legislative Assembly must immediately pass an act to tap the privileged rich in the State.
Political Leaders are the richest class in the State and they would not like to legislate a tax that would include them. The public must put pressure in them to. Of course, every citizen including pensioners must contribute according to his/her fair share to the State budget.
The possibilities of Revenue collection in the State are many and substantial; it all depends on the POLITICAL WILL of our politicians.
LET THE STATE OF NAGALAND NOT BEG BUT INNOVATE AUSTERITY MEASURES TO PRODUCE AND GIVE.
