Hopefully Not Another Leprechaun Drum

Pr Haomei *

Major players in the Naga political arena :: Pix - TSE

Over the past few weeks, the Naga people are, once again, holding their breath with hopeful anticipation over the rousing news that leaders of different faction of Naga underground/political group has come together for a reconciliation meet under the aegis of FNR. As we went through the news item indicating the meet and the consequent "Lenten Agreement" as a precursor to a likely formation of single "Naga National Government (NNG)", it was an unexpected surprise, for going by the daily affairs, it was not something anticipated after all the unabated factional clashes and killings even after continued initiatives of the FNR since a few years ago.

Whenever some positive development or news are heard concerning the Naga's aspiration, we used to called it, "a Leprechaun Drum" in our dialect, because it usually turns out that all good things avoid the Naga movement. In fact, the Naga people are already tired of hoping against all odds. It is with a mix feeling of anticipated hope and fear of losing another hard earned opportunity that we received the news.

Undoubtedly, Naga leaders had done their homework this time. To set aside their differences, to come together, to forgive and to salvage the nation together, takes a lot of courages and sacrifices after a lifetime of hunting for each other's lives. Although, since its inception, the Naga movement was initiated in keeping with the principles of the Bible as conspicuously declared, "Nagaland for Christ", it is very ironical and unfortunate at the same time that so much bloodbath had taken place.

The Bible tells us to conquer our own self, to rein in our anger, to humble ourselves before the Lord and so on. But we have been behaving like an untamed beast, in our anger we have been foolishly causing all kinds of destruction, in our haughtiness, we have been self-righteously justifying ourselves before God and man. But, let us hope that, this time, our leaders had learnt their lesson through bitter experiences, for it is said: better late than never.

Yet, judging from past experiences which had been bitter so far, giving no reason to be optimistic, one can't readily agree that henceforth, all is going to be well. We are yet to see the first positive development. First thing after taking for granted that we have forgiven each other, it is imperative to freed ourselves from the conditioned nature of being suspicious of one another. For suspicion is one thing which instigate bloodshed in our midst.

The genesis of Naga factionalism, particularly the NSCN factions, is also shrouded and buried under the cloud of unfounded suspicions and speculations. They must break free from their cocoon of doubt and pessimism, they must dream positively so that every action that flows out will be positively motivating, constructive, noble and honourable.

And equally important to begin with, is to break free from the shackles of greed and selfish motives. Our "nation" are infested with corruption of all form in every sphere of the society. And nationalists are not free from this vice. In fact, with all the powers and authorities they wielded, they are the ones who are more prone to suffer from this destructive virus. We could not rule out the hands of personal greed and selfish motives in most bloodshed and bitterness in our society.

As long as we don't do away with this vice from the rank and file of the nationalist as well as our society, we won't be able to sustain peace and our optimistic dream won't materialise.

To bring about all these positive changes, we must have the right attitude and strong faith in our endeavour. Each and every individual that matter should reform themselves from within. Shouldn't we be changing ourselves in the first place if we wanted a changed society?

It is disheartening to see so many eloquent leaders living contrary to what they shouted with much enthusiasm in public gatherings. It is high time we practise and live what we preached. "Nagaland/Nagalim for Christ" should be allowed to extend its rule to our heart from the exclusively limited realm of our mouth.

Well, interestingly, most of us are indifferently lethargic when it comes to doing something for a good cause. If we certainly believe that doing things this way or that way is going to help, I wonder, why we are hesitating? What are we still waiting for? If forgiveness can heal our society, if reconciliation is the only way to save our society, why don't we forgive and reconcile?

Past experiences might have given many good reason to step cautiously or even with some degree of timidity, thereby, prompting our nationalist to step suspiciously. But that is not going to help lighten the climate as suspicion breed fear and hatred. If you can trust the Indian whom you considered your adversary why can't you trust your own blood and flesh. May God lead the FNR and bless the people through their effort. Let the will and determination of FNR bear fruit worthy of their labour.

Stop the hypocrisy; there is no pleasure in just singing a song, sing and dance along with the song and taste the difference.

Hopefully, it is not just another leprechaun's drum: it's a different beat with a difference.