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OPINiON/EDITORIAL
Nagaland Post Vol. XXIV NO. 300 Dimapur, moNday, october 6, 2014
A
Ambivalence
fter Nagaland Post in its September 29 editorial, opined that the consultation meeting phenomenon of the state government were invariably tailor-made to fit the government’s line of approach or thinking on issues, the Nagaland Law Students Federation(NLSF) had on October 1 confirmed that view. According to the NLSF president Lanusowa and general secretary Khemvu, the state government had wanted the house( participants at the SIRD conference hall) to adopt resolutions on the day. However, that plan was foiled when the NLSF exposed fatal flaws in the resolutions that were proposed to be adopted. This forced the state government to beat a hasty retreat and so there was no resolution adopted at all and perhaps that turned out to be in the best interest of fairness and reasoning. It is still not understood, why the state government continues to hang on to its NSDZ proposal despite many organisations and public leaders expressing concerns over the clauses such as lifting/ relaxing the ILP rule, conduct cadastral survey over traditional lands and then issuing land pattas to the land owners with the ultimate objective of facilitating transfer and ownership of lands in NSDZs. The plea to lift ILP, permit transfer and ownership of land were supposedly meant to attract outside investors involved in oil business to the NSDZs in five districts and for others to urbanise the foothill areas. These consultative or consultation meetings are one among the phenomena which the state government has embarked upon and utilised to rope in support to support its decisions or stand with regard to various issues. The other issue which could have been under discussion is the matter involving NoC and subsequent permit issued to the controversial oil firm M/s Metropolitan Oil and Gas Private Limited(MOGPL). Scores of other companies and individuals are the shareholders of MOGPL. The firm was reportedly formed on September 14,2012 and obtained the permit for oil exploration etc on February 27,2014, barely one and a half year after it was formed. Among the firm’s several promoters and shareholders that included several other companies and individuals, have court cases pending against SRM Explorations Pvt.Ltd including ban by the Security Appellate Tribunal(SAT) from issuing equity to investors through any instrument for a period of ten(10)years. These are not small matters especially when it involves MOGPL as the licensee for oil business in the state’s two most potentially oil bearing districts of Wokha and Peren. The government’s defence about favouring MOGPL was that it has not received any intimation regarding the antecedents of the firm’s promoters. How can the state government receive any information on MOGPL if it has not deemed necessary to ascertain facts from the Delhi High court, SEBI or SAT? When the state government steadfastly maintains that whatever it has done, with regard to oil business, was in the larger interests of its people; then it is very surprising that it has wilfully neglected its primary duty to find out the facts surrounding MOGPL before allowing such firms to undertake such a major business venture directly involving the socio-economic fate of the people. The government must come clean on the issue and also deem it a duty to operate with transparency since short term gains for a few cannot be allowed to turn into a long term problem for the state and the future generation.
DailyDevotion The Nature of Degeneration Just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned . . . —Romans 5:12 The Bible does not say that God punished the human race for one man’s sin, but that the nature of sin, namely, my claim to my right to myself, entered into the human race through one man. But it also says that another Man took upon Himself the sin of the human race and put it away— an infinitely more profound revelation (see Hebrews 9:26). The nature of sin is not immorality and wrongdoing, but the nature of self-realization which leads us to say, “I am my own god.” This nature may exhibit itself in proper morality or in improper immorality, but it always has a common basis— my claim to my right to myself. When our Lord faced either people with all the forces of evil in them, or people who were clean-living, moral, and upright, He paid no attention to the moral degradation of one, nor any attention to the moral attainment of the other. He looked at something we do not see, namely, the nature of man (see John 2:25). Sin is something I am born with and cannot touch— only God touches sin through redemption. It is through the Cross of Christ that God redeemed the entire human race from the possibility of damnation through the heredity of sin. God nowhere holds a person responsible for having the heredity of sin, and does not condemn anyone because of it. Condemnation comes when I realize that Jesus Christ came to deliver me from this heredity of sin, and yet I refuse to let Him do so. From that moment I begin to get the seal of damnation. “This is the condemnation [and the critical moment], that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light . . . ” (John 3:19).
Quotes
There are a terrible lot of lies going about the world, and the worst of it is that half of them are true. ~ Winston Churchill
Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2014
Modi paves way for flow of funds in defence, oil, new energy P
rime minister Narendra Modi meant business. That is what the US visit was about. He did not conceal that either as he told the packed crowd of the US corporate leaders. He was candid. He said, “I am business-minded. I know businessman is not a donor. He’s not here for charity. A businessman has to make his profits. He must get a return for his investment. I’m in favour of that”. He pledged red carpet instead of red tape to have their investment as India has to go a long way. He demonstrated a diplomat in himself, who could talk on an even keel with US president Barack Obama. The decision of Obama to have interlocution with Modi not on one but two occasions and his gesture of impromptu visit to the Martin Luther King memorial was significant. It came soon after Modi spoke of G-All and not G-One at the UN. Would these steps mean business for India? Would it change the biz confidence in the country? There are positive signs. Despite the statistics of development not moving up, it has filled the countrymen,
in India and abroad, with a rare confidence. The nation is abuzz that they have got a person, who can lead them. The way he engaged Obama was in sharp contrast to what the nation looked at disdainfully when the US president put his arms around an elderly Indian prime minister a few years back. For Modi it was just not Indo-US business. It was beyond that. The US showed that it took Modi and certainly India seriously on terrorism in Pakistan and the Chinese belligerence in South China Sea, where Indian oil interests are involved, the two issues raised by Modi at the UN General Assembly. The US imposed sanctions on Pak-based terror outfits Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba, which target India. Further collaboration on Afghanistan and anti-India Pakistan-supported terrorism is likely. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has stayed back to work that out. The move is an initiative to ensure not only safety of the people but also of Indian investments. The US has shown willingness to develop three smart cities Hindu pilgrim centre
Allahabad, sufi pilgrim shrine Ajmer and the pride of the south Vijaywada. It also wants to partner on digital India initiative, set up infrastructure collaborations, extend an IndoPacific economic corridor to Myanmar, Southeast Asia and identify critical ports, rail, aviation, inter-modal infra projects. It all means possibilities of immense investments. His various moves and style of governance has got deep support from RSS chief Mohan Bhagvat during his annual significant ViShivaji j aya d a s h m i address. There was a bit of caution too. Bhagvat wants the nation to cut down on imports, increase exports and be self-reliant. It was a sober advice on having deluge of foreign investment. Bhagvat has also given a call to virtually socially boycott Chinese imports obviously to boost Indian manufacturing. The government may have to tailor its investment policies to suit the national needs. Modi is certain to change the face of the country by creating a manufacturing hub. He has now possibly to balance it with FDI and indigenous
investment. His cajoling of the non-resident Indians, in New York, is clever ploy to encourage the PIO investments. Much of it remains in the country and not repatriated. His promise to both PIOs and US corporate leaders to smoothen the Indian systems is essential to create the biz climate. Many a time Indian leaders have made promises of single-window clearance in the past, but ultimately investors found them in a maze of rules. It was Sarkar not long when the state of UP had signed, at least thrice, in the past 15 years, MoUs with Indian and foreign investors to the tune of Rs 54,000 crore. Little came. The country no more wants promises but a clear road to investment. Would the US corporate invest in this country? At least some like the General Motors, who have invested to build an automobile hub are happy. Among various areas, it is expected that India may have large US investments in oil sector and defence. Indian defence manufacturing requires wings and with US technology and production
in the country, though yet to be finalized, it may equip India with a rare opportunity to export arms and weapons. The investment is likely to be in billions of dollars. The US proposal to set up a defence university should be seen having greater import than mere investment. Joint mission to better understand climate change impacts is likely to pave a closer cooperation. India has been having its first climate studies with the US on Monex – monsoon experiment - in 1960s. It unraveled many secrets on monsoon movement. It has helped reorganize the Indian meteorological department, which now does near accurate forecasts. World’s largest Thirty Meter Telescope project (TMT) is significant. Such missions do not bring in large investments but pave way for long-term business. The proposed MoU between US Exim Bank and the Indian renewable energy department may ensure $ 1 billion US Exim Bank funding for import of made-in-America, a favourite Obama mission, of renewable energy goods and services in India. It is yet not known wheth-
er technology would also be available. India would have to match it with strong nongrid power research system to free the people from large corporate oriented high-cost power system. As of now it is not easy to fathom the extent of investments. The intent is deep. Fund managers from India and abroad expect improving sentiments and impressive returns from Indian markets to help attract billions of dollars flowing into the country’s asset management industry. Reliance Capital Asset Management CEO Sundip Sikka has said that his meetings with many investors show that they are bullish on India and willing to invest. India, however, has to do a lot. India has the capacity to emerge from the morass provided it ensures an easier legal and tax framework and better conditions for the working class. The aim of Modi is antyodaya but it requires labour laws that can ensure an honorable treatment to the working class. If the developments go in the intended direction, it might lead to a continuous flow of investment.
Post-mortem
Exhaustive dialogue on sovereignty tax
T
he prevalent system “ to serve the people based on deserving to earn” and those capable and willing to serve unless acquires the favour of those “serving to earn and steal” bosses in the top earning hierarchy-the politicians, bureaucrats, technocrats etc are simply denied opportunity to serve. These unholy collaborators at the top chooses who deserves to serve to earn, therefore the first change should start from the top. If sovereignty tax is the prevalent evil of all evils in the Naga society, has anyone ever seriously considered the root cause of it? For instance, the population of Nagaland State having not less than 15 lakh have been endowed with billions of rupees for the last several decades since the creation of statehood till date, yet only few thousands Nagas have been able to become millionaires-politicians, bureaucrats and technocrats etc. If judiciously distributed every Naga is supposed to be self reliant and prosperous like any other developed nation. Let us therefore ask the most relevant question as to who are responsible for the present state of inequity of wealth and privileges? The polarisation of the NPGs no doubt has become an intolerable burden on the common masses, however it is fact that actual imposition of taxes on public exchequer by NPGs constitute not more than 10% put together all the factions. The commercial taxes does not exceed beyond 10%
to 15 % annually. House tax and ration tax not more than Rs. 400 annually. The most exorbitant taxes ever being exacted on public exchequer are the Ministers, MLAs, bureaucrats, technocrats permeating down to the lowest level of hierarchy before being released to the public. Of the actual 100% sanctions only 50% reaches the public and from which NPGs takes their shares. In most cases the entire 100% are siphoned off without executing the project. However, these worst corrupt activities are silently, clandestinely gets orchestrated with efficient synchronised tradition between the top evils behind whispers and inside their cosy drawing rooms. Yet they always point fingers on the NPGs. What a great hypocrisy? The cream and beacon, the leader and guide of the people commit such larceny silently from the top and continue to blame NPGs. Such fraud unless checked, exposed and ended there can never be any hope of recovery. In a manner the people question NPGs integrity, are these elite sections ever asked of their works ethics by anyone? Why point your dirty finger at NPGs alone without realising that your entire dirty fingers points back at yourself? No honest public servant with their salary alone can afford to possess fleet of luxury cars, palatial residences, thousands of acres of land all over the state, drink imported scotch and wines, holidays abroad and much more covetous ways of worldly life styles. It should therefore be made
compulsory for both the NPGs as well as public leaders, public servants, politicians, bureaucrats alike to declare assets and one’s earnings before the people. The NPGs do have people’s based ideology regardless of the mockery, however what ideologies and ethics does these classes of people profess. The ACAUT is merely a facade to protect the interest of rich capitalists, merchants and business people who monopolises the entire market system for their own benefits. How many times has ACAUT exposed corruption at high places? Why only talk about NPGs “sovereignty Tax”? Why does ACAUT being composed of many retired bureaucrats well versed with corrupt system in the Government hierarchy remain silent despite ongoing rampant corruptions being committed to the tune of several thousands crores ever fiscal year? Since the ACAUT are very vocal about corruption of NPGs, each NPGs should also establish anti-corruption mechanism against ACAUT’s members and expose them before the public. Why were the ACAUT idle when Dimapur police busted illegal transport rackets in Dimapur and which in fact are responsible for the maximum price hike in the market? It is also interesting to learn that most ACAUT members and affiliate organisations are mostly business owners and retired bureaucrats. (To be concluded) Col. Isak Sumi PRO Nagaland NSCN/GPRN.
My mistake is your weapon
(From previous issue) SCAPEGOAT MISTAKE: It is a mistake of others but due to undue influence or just because of the majority influence you landed in trouble and considered you to be the real culprit of that mistake. In this situation you become the scapegoat of others, who are very near and dear to you. Because you fully trust in them and blindly followed the path of such person and so much vocal to easily convince you in their line. So the blame is given to you. Such situation happened when you fully relay on them, but the inner mental attitude of such person is not known to you. In a civilized society of the same intellect and reasoning power the society can never landed in such difficult situation, but it is the nature of the people to have different mental and intellectual attitude and we can’t blame each other. Because the perception of looking a particular object is not at all same and can’t say you are wrong and he/she is right. Many fall the scapegoat of others in life and get a nice lesson. In conclusion, the present Naga society faces the maximum of such mistakes in day to day life. The numbers of such mistakes are too much and the public cannot differentiate which one is right or wrong and the confusion of who is who in our mind is always hanging to whom should we trust or not to trust. Division of mental perception is too much that the whole situation in our mind is in a mess. Such critical societal differences make us difficult to digest the reality of life. The mental barrier in us makes the whole society full of divisions from top to the bottom lowest level of life. Total dependency on each other and wait for the higher ups and get correction at the right time is lack. We don’t bother for each other and take any type of decision by our self and never wait for others to follow you. Taking your own decision and in due course of time you realized your mistake, but people blame you for the split. Even then,
because of ego problem and your pride you don’t want to bow down and stick to whatever your convenient tells you right. There is no remedial approach in our Naga society. Diversions of our targets or goals etc are too much. The real fight of Naga’s existence is not “MY MISTAKE IS YOUR WEAPON” but it is the finding of ways and means for a solution to a particular problem. Just fingering at each other and prolong in finding a correct solution at the right time disintegrate the whole fabrics of Nagas. Our Naga society had been already set it priorities and we just follow the line of our goal. Slight diversion of ways can hamper our priority set-ups by our ancestral. Like it or not we will have to have a common target to solve our inherent problem of divisive forces by stream-line our common strength of oneness and togetherness towards the desiring goal for our better tomorrow. The younger generation is awaited us to strike the right path with an open heart to that particular problem base the TRUTH. Still we are not too far from reality as other turmoil societies in the world. We have a clear vision to proceed for our common interest. The mushrooming growth of many like-minded groups/organizations from top to bottom hierarchy of Naga society is a good sign for fighting the common societal problem and it is natural to have such divertive opinions at this juncture. The more we distance ourselves from each other and express our differences the closure we are to each other; because we have been exposed to various ways and means to achieve our common interest. Therefore while writing this article the writer wants you to thoroughly analyses the societal happenings and find out a meeting point and bridge the societal gap in this present generation. It could be in a small way; but it matters a lot and contributes a lot to a bigger and larger/ higher societal issues. (Concluded) K.Ritse, Pfutsero Town.
Rani Gaidinliu: ‘The daughter of Naga Hills’ (From previous issue) Naga Raj movement and Naga Messiah: The term Naga Raj was first spelled by J.C. Higgins the British Political agent of Manipur mentioned in his report to the chief secretary of Assam. The concept of Raj and kingdom was not common to Nagas except Anghship common among Konyak Naga tribe. However, it could most probably termed with a show and tone of condemnation or challenge to Jadonang copying or using the term of the neighbouring custom and system of Kachari Kingdom, Maharaja of Manipur or accustomed way of using like King emperor of British Indian emperor. To Jadonang the general Naga people may be collectively called MAKAAM people when he said and predicted, “Makaam people will reign at last”, He and his successor Queen (Rani) Gaidinliu proclaimed the reign of Naga Kingdom in bold response to the British pronouncement. Ursula Graham Bower, in her book termed the Naga kingdom “Naga heaven; a millennium on earth”. According to her, she stated that “ for generations there had been a prophecy that one day a Naga king would arise, drive out the British, and rule over ‘all who eat from the wooden platter’-that is all Naga tribes”.(Naga path by Ursula Graham Bower). Jadonang used to advocate to his followers, “Meiteis have their king, Indian have also kings of their own. Why should we not have our own king? The whitemen and we are all human beings. Why should we be afraid of them? All men are equal, we are blessed people. Our days have come... we shall pray and worship God.
With His grace we can become kings”. He has predicted the impending end of British Raj and the soon coming of Naga Raj. He stood steadfast on his philosophy of freedom of the Nagas till his last breath on the scaffold/gallow. His death was doubly implicated. One of alleging to have murdered four Manipuris and the one that of premeditated policy of nipping the Naga movement in the Bud by hanging Jadonang. Higgins through strict interrogation could not satisfactorily establish the evidence for the allegation against Jadonang of being the murderer and also alleged of being self proclaim as the Naga Raj. Spot verification and intensive investigation has proven that He was not in his Village where the murder took place at the time. He was at Lwangkau village far away from the murder spot. The real murderers were later confessed and admitted. As per Manipur administrative report 1931-32, one strong evidence of manipulative policy being played to implicate Jadonang of the Crime was that among those under trial prisoners (those close associates and relative of Jadonang) were fed and implanted with a bribing promise to release them if they would put the blame upon Jadonang of the crime. The inconspicuous game plan was successful as tragic fortune would have befallen him and the destiny of the Naga Raj movement was then sealed. In the criminal proceeding, a legal defence was denied and all witnesses kept silent. When all means and hope of life turned deaf to him, he was taken up to the scaffold and hanged. His last word recalled and recorded was, “I am
innocent of the Crime” shouted at the top of his voice but the fate is already sealed and he was hanged. Prof. H.K Barpujari a renowned historian and justice stated on the matter of the trial and execution of Jadonang, “ In the absence of positive evidence, a verdict cannot be passed that the case was pursued beyond all reasonable doubt. The alleged murder of Manipuris afforded the Government the much desired pretext to nip the movement in the bud. The establishment of the independent Naga Raj in the problem ridden frontier would endanger the British Indian Govt.”(Problems of the Hills tribes of the North eastern frontier from inner line to Macmohan, Vol III, 1982 p 1. By H.K. Barpujari) On claim of Jadonang as Naga Messiah: As per official report about the new cult by DC of Naga hills, 1931, “Reports were received of a serious movement initiated by one Jadonang who set himself up in Kambiron in Manipur as a Messiah-king of the Kabui (Rongmei) and Kacha Naga”, the author Tajenyuba Ao, in his book, “ British Occupation of Naga country” page 201, stated, “ Jadonang’s claim appears to be connected with the old Naga Tradition of a Messiah King to which Dr. Hutton refers on page 252 of his ‘ Angami Naga’. “There is a belief in Khonoma and other Angami villages in the return of a king who will drive out the British and rule over ‘all who eat from the wooden platter,’ that is all Nagas”.(The Angami Nagas by Hutton). Tajenyuba Ao stated that, “There is no evidence, however that the Angamis are involved in the present trouble.” To ascertained
the statement ‘Naga messiah’ as referred to Jadonang, his close associates and contemporary orally recounted that, Jadonang used to predict the coming events, and performed miracles like Jesus of the Jews. He is said to have slept three days and three nights on trans and woke up on the third day. After which he led his ardent followers on a mission travelling in the western parts of the Naga Hills. When his followers feel hungry and thirsty on the way, he would let his followers lick his hand and all would be quenched. He is said to have rode on a horseback and met the Britishers in Tamenglong in an act of defiant before the Britishers. Propagated also that, he used to ride on the back of a lion and appeared to his followers occasionally. On hearing such propagations, the Britishers even Higgins and writers might have assumed and called him the “Messiah of the Nagas”. However, he himself has denied just before the time of his death that he is god. The claims, prophecies and predictions of Jadonang cannot be totally taken to be accounted for or denied altogether but to leave it in mystery till such time when the Nagas shall be awakened by the spirit of discernment or alleviated to a height of human reasoning about survival and civilisation that may come beyond the present stage of the society. Analysed and perceived that, the truth about the Naga future and destiny shall be revealed in God’s time. Could it be that, we Nagas overlook the prediction to our own lost and regret which God might have used man like Jadonang to tell the Nagas to prepare and act in truth as God may purposed for the Nagas.
The time for Naga political reformation and moral reawakening has come. We must seize the opportunity and time for change or we shall all perish together as fools or remain defeated and as oppressed people. I humbly appeal to all Nagas old and young, far and near,
rich or poor, strong or weak to press on together toward the future where we shall ever live in Peace and free in our own Home land at last. God reign and rule over us! (Concluded) G.Gwangphun, Research and Social Activist, SCANET.
Reader’s Post
Sir,
NLTP Act again !
It is through your esteemed daily that I would like to humbly address my views on the above subject, for which I too acknowledge and appreciate the great work Nagaland Post renders to our Naga Community. Sir, With Due regard, I would like to point out this very fact to the writers who write under the aegis of the NBCC or Nagaland Baptist Church Association (like the Reverends, Pastors or other Church leaders)? Pretermitting sarcasm behind, and escalating my audacity on reading the write ups of the mentioned or any other in the local dailies, I wonder how far would The NBCC of any other individual under the merging, would stand firm to its implementation, if the NLTP Act was not lifted? Sensing The NBCC being a protective crust of The NLTP Act 1989, for a good cause which we all do firmly believe in, Here are however some points to be pondered on intensely. • Will the NBCC stand against the elite politicians who cash in their highly escorted vehicles in bringing in liquor from other neighbouring states or distilleries? • Can the NBCC stand up against the high class officials, who with their cars adorned with coloured beacons source up the entire state with LIQUOR? • Will the NBCC advocate to the abysmal and corrupted excise or police officials who snatch up the LIQUOR inturn to be cast off for their financial gain? Stressing on Nagaland being a State for Christ, I believe the Government and the Implementing Sources would value the suggestions put forth by The NBCC, On the other hand the above mentioned points are some to ponder on, which I humbly put forth, not undermining the Pious Leaders, hand chosen by God. May God’s Enlightenment be upon Our Leaders! Adilen Kipzz, Nagarjan, Dimapur.
Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.