Winds Of Change
When I was very young, I was very fortunate to be with my maternal uncle during my vacations. Being a legislator in the state Government, I had the freedom of traveling with him on his tours and travel. The fact i really recall is his way of dealing with the people around him. In his entourage, there were all kinds of people and one truth I learned from him was how to treat people around us. To him everyone was equal. He mingled and blended with them even in the most tiring circumstances and shared joys and miseries as well. He treated everyone as a friend (though in my case I got the odd dressing down from time to time). On tour in the district, people always had easy access to share various issues with him and he listened to everyone no matter how absurd some demands were and after careful study he tried to address each problem in a wise and just way. I also noticed that whenever he visited our home he never came along with any escort (can you imagine this happening these days). Whenever he stayed for holidays, we went fishing and hunting, and did all his tasks without relying on his entourage.When my father was posted in Kohima, he used to visit our house often along with his wife and daughter generally without any convoy. I assume he had faith in his people who had elected him and as long as he was sincere and did his job honestly for the welfare of his people he was fearful of no one. We must remember that this was a time when the conflict for self-determination of the Nagas was at its peak. My uncle and many like him were honest, upright and dedicated for the welfare of the Nagas so even the nationalists did not consider them, as threat thus had no reason to object.
Nagaland in those days was full of stalwart leaders on both sides of the political divide. They stood with the people and did their duties with no iota of vanity. Coming back to the present we can compare and see the changes that have taken place. I leave it to the readers to judge for yourselves the pros and cons. Though I will not pick names, I would again like to narrate a tale that I experienced in my maturity.
Once a friend of mine (though I hardly think he will remain very chummy after he reads this) was bound to go on a tour and asked me to accompany him. I was elated to say the least because he was mid-level officer of the govt. I felt it was an honor that someone of his stature could persuade a lowly unemployed person like me. As the tour began we were usually surrounded by his escorts. Being curious, I asked him why we were under security and why he needed protection round the clock. I also asked him whether it was because he had enemies out to harm him. His answer was that although he had no one to fear he kept guards because everyone had them and thus it was a matter prestige. When we arrived at a village in his imported SUV surrounded by gun totting in police vehicles we were pleasantly surprised. The villagers were delighted at the arrival of the VIP and threw a large celebration hoping that his visit would, better improve their lot. The next day he made impressive speeches and handed over all of these to his P.S who in turn put it on ice. While on the next stage of tour he commented the necessity of visiting his constituency whom he felt were idiots and basti wallahs and that any promises he made to them although the implemental was another thing. Since I was his guest, we both ate our meals alone that was especially made and delivered for him alone. His bodyguards and the rest of his entourage made do with whatever was available. He treated the people around him with the utmost of contempt.He even refused to sleep under the same roof of his subordinates. The way he acted in a way that hit at the heart of our peoples was the last straw. And I begged leave and left a very disillusioned man.
The big problem is that this is becoming more and more common. Nagas who were known for their humility and truthfulness are now a dying breed. Instead today we have a society where the rich and powerful look down upon their fellow Nagas and on the other hand most Nagas consider politicians, bureaucrats and other high-level officers of the government as thieves ,unworthy to be called Nagas as they take whatever little we get from India.
In the many years that have passed since my uncle passed away, I have seen that Nagas have become more materialistic. Even in the nationalist setups, the ideologies have been set aside and now wealth is king. If this trend goes on then one day truly but surely the Nagas will be divided into castes where the rich and powerful with their Indianised mentality of haves and have not, making them all pompous and arrogant where money becomes king and power the right-hand man. Though change itself is not a bad thing, sometimes we also must remember what it means to be a real Naga.
Most changes are good for society to progress, but the rise of an Indian mentality amongst the rich is sad. The society is always on the move, it is up to us in which direction we go.
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