Development here would mean from every aspect needing attention.
First- Forget about the state, let’s start from our own respective constituencies. Our intention of electing a representative-Our intention of voting is automatically wired in such a way that the concerned elected MLA must give us a job, contract, money or any kind of aid after the victory. Thousands of people vote in return for a cash of few thousands. Imagine how much the candidate spends when that few thousands from an individual are multiplied into thousands of individuals. If elected, imagine the pressure when those thousands expect a job, contract or monetary aid at their individual level, and supposedly, if those demands are not fulfilled in the case of some individuals than according to us it would mean that the MLA is not a capable one. But, let us be frank here. Is it practically possible to feed all those thousand supporters with a job, contract, monetary aid or such of similar kind with honest money? Therefore, in our twisted mentality view it would mean that, to be a capable representative the MLA must satisfy the needs of every individual supporter by any means, which will include even by dishonest siphoning. We act like beggars selling out inherent right (right to vote) as if that is the last thing left of us and that is why we are treated like beggars when they come to power. We remember the pathetic conditions of hospitals, Government institutions and public office buildings, wondering why the development is not taking place. Well, we ate the money during the election and our elected ones are busy amassing wealth to feed us in the next election. Do we even have the right to demand for developments?
Second- The meaning of development does not cut down for few individuals to enjoy the sophisticated position suddenly after the election victory of their candidate. For the demand of job, contract or monetary aid for one member in a family, the future of the rest members are sold. How? Simple example- The capacity of constructing good institutions with good infrastructure for the majority is diverted towards uplifting one or few individuals. So, aren’t we stealing somebody’s share as well?
Third- If demand for proper development is made at the larger interest of the public, every individual can benefit without being corrupt. For instance, demand for good educational institutions with quality teaching system will create ample of successful leaders in various fields. Think of the benefits in setting up good training centers for skill development in the field of carpentry, agri-farming, animal husbandry, Masonry, electrician, motor vehicle mechanics, tailoring, hair stylist, cake baking, skill learning for good entrepreneurship, etc… The unemployment problem can also be reduced to a large extend through these developments. And these necessarily do not have to be located in the state capital alone; each respective constituency can demand the same.
Fourth-Instead of losing our face begging before the candidate’s door for our selfish demand, boldly voice for the development of public welfare, like any able leader would do. We can strongly demand for good road connectivity from villages to commercial towns for easy marketing of local produces; demand for creating a system of strategic marketing for long term and not only for Hornbill festival or such similar short occasions. These are our inherent right.
We can think of many other areas of development where every individual can benefit. We already know about all these avenues which will benefit everyone, but we choose to be either blind or stay mute because we want an easy way out. Let’s accept the fact that majority of us are selfish. We want for ourselves; we want to become rich and successful overnight through the aid of our elected candidate.
Everybody’s needs are unlimited and our concerned MLAs cannot satisfy everybody’s needs with honest dealings. Let’s stop demanding at our own individual level and rather voice out for the larger interests of every individual. If this little change of mindset happens at our respective constituencies, we need not worry for the state at large because these small constituencies collectively form the big picture of the State. Like mother Teresa said, “If everyone would clean their doorstep the whole world will be clean”, we need to go back and start cleaning our own kitchen.
Zakato Chishi, Kohima
