The Government of India is apparently our nemesis. We need to stand up and fight for our rights. How can we stand and fight for our rights against the "enemy" when the rights we so vehemently profess are totally suppressed by our own people in the first place? The very proponents of this so called ‘freedom’ are the ones binding us in chains. How can they talk about freedom when they bind their own people in fear? When no one is allowed to stand up for their rights in their own land... Who will respect this cause?
I believe in the ‘cause’ of our freedom struggle. I believe we have an identity different from the Indians. Even a person who does not know any history of the nagas will have no problem pointing out the difference between the nagas and them. I do not know much about our history either, but I have always felt this difference throughout my life. And I would love to see us live in a land of our own under our own government, who hears and understands the heart beat of the people, living out our dreams – freedom!
My friend once told me that he loves the undergrounds and wants to work among them because he said everyone hates them. This is something to really think about. Why do your own people hate you, who are supposedly fighting for their freedom? Is it because the common people do not want to be free? Is it because they love to be under the government of India who are quite indifferent to them? OR Is it because the undergrounds (freedom fighters) have made their lives a living hell that even the indifference of the government of India seems to appear much better and tolerable? Everyone knows how our people have suffered under the GOI. How many lives have lost, been raped and tortured. Even in the face of such cruel and inhuman acts committed by others, why are common people holding back in giving their full support to our brothers in arms?
The job of the freedom fighters is to inspire people to join in the cause, because it is a noble cause, and it is our common cause. This can happen only when the people love and respect them as their leader(s). And this respect cannot be forced or commanded, it has to be earned. Herein lies the problem. No one is willing to do the hard work. They think a gun in their hand is all they need to get people’s attention. Yes they will get their attention, and they’ve gotten their attention! Only, it is one of hatred and fear, and not of love and respect. They need to change their attitude if they want the people to subserve and follow their ideals and principles.
Our culture has taken deep roots, and thus changing any of it becomes an arduous task. Our culture is very unique, and there are so many good practices within it that cannot be found anywhere else in the entire world. Our family system, the bond and love we have for each other is only one simple example. I say it is transcendental! However, no culture is perfect, and ours has its shortcomings. We are not open to criticisms, and differences of opinions. We are not willing to bring our ideas to the table and consider others’ as well. All we care is what we think, the rest can go to hell. We virulently criticize others if they say or think differently.
Let us not be too quick in judging others because we ourselves might be indulging in the same mistake, perhaps even in a bigger way. Rather, let us do a little bit of self examination first before we speak. This will save us from being hypocritical! This very nature is eating our people today. One group blames the other, and the other comes up with an even better and greater blame, and it goes on. Nobody is willing to look at his own shortcomings! This very nature is dividing us Nagas, and the government of India is enjoying the show, free of cost.
We need to return to our loving nature, that culture which now lay concealed under threat of violence and guns. Let us not be blinded by the lies of power and money. Let ignorance not be our guide. Let the fear of God, the love of our people, the love for freedom, be our theme in their true sense. Let “Nagaland for Christ” speak for itself, and not otherwise.
I believe in the ‘cause’ of our freedom struggle. I believe we have an identity different from the Indians. Even a person who does not know any history of the nagas will have no problem pointing out the difference between the nagas and them. I do not know much about our history either, but I have always felt this difference throughout my life. And I would love to see us live in a land of our own under our own government, who hears and understands the heart beat of the people, living out our dreams – freedom!
My friend once told me that he loves the undergrounds and wants to work among them because he said everyone hates them. This is something to really think about. Why do your own people hate you, who are supposedly fighting for their freedom? Is it because the common people do not want to be free? Is it because they love to be under the government of India who are quite indifferent to them? OR Is it because the undergrounds (freedom fighters) have made their lives a living hell that even the indifference of the government of India seems to appear much better and tolerable? Everyone knows how our people have suffered under the GOI. How many lives have lost, been raped and tortured. Even in the face of such cruel and inhuman acts committed by others, why are common people holding back in giving their full support to our brothers in arms?
The job of the freedom fighters is to inspire people to join in the cause, because it is a noble cause, and it is our common cause. This can happen only when the people love and respect them as their leader(s). And this respect cannot be forced or commanded, it has to be earned. Herein lies the problem. No one is willing to do the hard work. They think a gun in their hand is all they need to get people’s attention. Yes they will get their attention, and they’ve gotten their attention! Only, it is one of hatred and fear, and not of love and respect. They need to change their attitude if they want the people to subserve and follow their ideals and principles.
Our culture has taken deep roots, and thus changing any of it becomes an arduous task. Our culture is very unique, and there are so many good practices within it that cannot be found anywhere else in the entire world. Our family system, the bond and love we have for each other is only one simple example. I say it is transcendental! However, no culture is perfect, and ours has its shortcomings. We are not open to criticisms, and differences of opinions. We are not willing to bring our ideas to the table and consider others’ as well. All we care is what we think, the rest can go to hell. We virulently criticize others if they say or think differently.
Let us not be too quick in judging others because we ourselves might be indulging in the same mistake, perhaps even in a bigger way. Rather, let us do a little bit of self examination first before we speak. This will save us from being hypocritical! This very nature is eating our people today. One group blames the other, and the other comes up with an even better and greater blame, and it goes on. Nobody is willing to look at his own shortcomings! This very nature is dividing us Nagas, and the government of India is enjoying the show, free of cost.
We need to return to our loving nature, that culture which now lay concealed under threat of violence and guns. Let us not be blinded by the lies of power and money. Let ignorance not be our guide. Let the fear of God, the love of our people, the love for freedom, be our theme in their true sense. Let “Nagaland for Christ” speak for itself, and not otherwise.
good points. i agree Nagas are very lame and playing along to India's traps to fight each other. and we are too proud to admit fault or yield to each other. sad state.
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