Surprised not us but since we have to justify our stand, here are some logical reasons as to why ‘youth empowerment’ should not be discouraged in the Naga society as it is hinted and favored by some older Naga leaders and writers for the youths to remain a silent spectator and follow only in their footsteps when we ourselves grow our share of grey hairs.
In the western society the justice through law is not reserved only for some particular section of the people in the society. The law does not hold any preference based on class or age, sex of an individual to justify his place in the society. A paparazzi (photographer) can sue a famous celebrity or a janitor could file a law suit against a senator, should the charges pressed against the accused is entirely based on facts and seek justice. They don’t believe that it merely takes the number in age for an individual to attain the level of wisdom to change the society for the better. No not them, they are smart enough to comprehend (through comprehensive studies and research in psychology and neurobiology) that it takes some to attain great age to finally reach certain level of social and mental maturity while there are charismatic some whose mental maturity enlightens at a young age. It depends and varies from one person to the next. For this reason they don’t discourage but encourages and provide the necessary platforms to their youths to inspire and influence their society for change. Even Bill Gates, the world’s richest man was only 16 years old when he developed first his software that later led to the expansion of Microsoft.
The young Nagas of today are more equipped with information about the western society and their developments thanks to western TV cable and spending times on the internet and social network sites which the older generations did not have access to during their development into adulthood. The bitter truth is that the modern minded Nagas (be it young or old) are more mentally civilized and psychologically advanced than the set of Nagas who still clings to the past and its former glories. For those who can’t seem to grasp this simple reality then we can’t make them understand any further.
Yes, the guidance and encouragement (positive reinforcement) of the few wise intellectual older Nagas is much needed in our society to direct the youths in building a bright future for our society channeled with the harnessing of the potential of the intellectual capacity of the young Nagas. In order to change a system we have to be a little bit radical in our approaches with not money or muscles as our weapon but “Truth”.
Today we have observed and understood the nature of the “system beyond system” where we all dwell in, from corruption to ignorance that has bounded the people from the “freedom to live” rather than surviving. If we want to bring total development in our society then the first obstacle we need to overcome is the present ignorant system that has its reach through every aspect in our lives. If we check the facts then the truth is only that the older generations when they were young had been under a brutally ignorant system because of lack of western culture influence in those days.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dimapur, Kesonyu Yhome in his speech that appeared in the daily papers on March 30, 2017 challenged the youths to overcome narrow mindedness and broaden their potential by not remaining as mere spectators. He also talked about how most revolutions in history had been brought out by youth forces. Kurt Cobain also said that it was up to the youths to bring positive changes in the society because as humans grows old they become fairly adjustable with the system where they have lived for long and doesn’t have the zest to change the total set of perspectives in their lives which is basic psychology. So it is up to the enthusiastic youths to utilize their modern knowledge and perspectives in shaping a new advanced society.
Every citizen has the right of freedom of speech and expression but this does not give the right to any individual or group to tarnish the name of any individual or an organization with false propaganda. If any accusation is to be made like, “the young minds which are capable enough to change the world is now gradually manipulated by the power of money. Indeed money and political power has become their top most priority” than make sure to produce the evidence to support the statements regarding the motives because your word will hold against you should one choose to sue you on charges for “false allegations” in court.
If not today, when are we Nagas planning to bring a practical systematic exchange of human interaction in our society based on mutual understanding and respect of human rights where every issue would be addressed on rational grounds as done in the Western Societies and not on vague customary obligations?
