Dear Duke 4

Dear Duke 4,

                    I am letting you go for we are two different individuals, we can't be together not yesterday, today or tomorrow. Good that we didn't even try but before I let you go, there are some things I want you to know. Please don't hate me for this.

You must be doubting whether this note is for you or for someone else, it's for you, idiot! After all these years, you are still my doubtful hope, the one who loves with the mantra, everything or nothing at all.

You played your cards good but I consciously ignored it, I always wanted you to be a good player. One spark is all it takes, they say. In our case, it was your sense of gratitude that made me fall for you.

I might have hurt you, I apologize. I know all you have for me is respect, I won't let it evaporate by begging for your devotion.

I am still scared of crossing the road at night. Many men has walked before me, you're the only one who held it right and tight. That night I knew you would be the man with whom I can share my deepest fear. But you are the one who scares me the most for I am good in losing the ones I love the most.

You made way for the love to come in my unconventional life. You asked for nothing yet I lost everything. Your teases were brutal but I know deep down you did had a little crush on me. I am glad you did not say it out loud.

Our love story was meant for higher TRP, it was never in my favour. I was casted not even for a supporting role, you belong to someone else, your wedding picture will look good sans me as the bride. That's for sure.

But before I let you go, promise me never to ask who my Duke 4 was. You almost got me once. Please save me from this major life threatening embarrassment. You know it's you, just pretend you don't.

And as we end this note, let's act as we are, never lovers.

PS.White really looks good on you, you should make it your signature colour.

The Unpaid Reviewer

In the month of December 2018, I started off with a project to review books written by Naga writers. It was a humble attempt to understand the literary scenario of our state. I posted the reviews on Instagram under the pseudonym, The Unpaid Reviewer (TUR). I was not paid for the reviews. Hence, the name was justified. 

Basically, TUR reviewed only fictions the only exception was Monalisa Changkija's The Middles. Quite shamelessly, I bragged about my two books too, God has forgiven me for that. 

Well, things were going smooth until TUR's eyes strain, personal problem and time constraint came like the three horsemen. Result? The project came to an end, the account got deactivated. 

Anyway, the following are the observations made by TUR in its short engagement,

1.Naga writers should be encouraged. Buy their books. Don't ask for free copies.

2.Accomplished Naga writers should create platform for the budding writers.

3.Naga writers should be brave and interesting enough to explore controversial topics. Get out from the comfort zone.

4.A good satirical novel should be on the way.

5.Erotic fiction is something one cannot expect from a Naga writer for another 25 years?

6.There are more poetry writers than story writers, and maximum fiction writers (Naga) are women.

7.It takes certain level of emotional maturity to connect with the readers.

8.Naga writers should be able to take constructive criticisms. TUR received DMs written by 'bruised ego' hands.

9.Having an English major doesn't make someone a great writer, it's all about imagination.The rest can be handled by a good proofreader.

10.At least thank the reviewer who reviews your work. Not mandatory though.

Revisiting the Top 5 Scams of Nagaland

This is just a personal evaluation. Hence, I might have missed out the cases which you think should be in one of the slots. Plus, individual cases have been omitted, only the institutional level charges have been highlighted.

1. The NPSC (Nagaland Public Service Commission) Scam

There was time when  scams related with state public service examination was a phenomena heard from almost every corners of our country. Nagaland was not an exception. From leaking of question papers to making the candidates attempt the paper from their irrespective homes to manipulation in viva-voce marks to reappearing for the first two tiers etc., did the rounds. Segregating rumours from facts might not be easy but what is easy is, doing a Google search and finding numerous articles about it. The controversy might have dampened a little but it often finds its place in the newspaper columns.

2. The Social Welfare Scam

Way back in 2012, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) exposed a scam under the Social Welfare Department. Basically it was regarding the sanctioning of money, like lakhs of it, to bogus societies (Refer, Nagaland Post article dated November 23, 2012 under the heading, NPCC exposes major scam in Social Welfare Department). Social Welfare, right? Agar hum kahe toh kare kya, bole toh bole kya.

3.The NRHM Scam

This was an interesting case, it found its way in the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court. The Naga Mother's Association (NMA) filed a petition against the state government for its inaction to demands for probing the scam under the National Rural Health Mission. How did  it start off?  

"NMA alleged several anomalies, particularly in Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), where some of the women beneficiaries were not paid money and even discrepancies in the grant for birth of boy and girl child...NMA also alleged that funds under NRHM were being mis-utilised by the department where officers “rampantly” drew money under various excuses including community monitoring. It also alleged that some doctors turned contractors and suppliers." (Reference:https://hrln.org/nrhm-scam-in-nagaland-high-court-appeal-for-cbi-probe/)

Wow! This looks like one holy messed up affair.

4. The Scholarship Scam

During my college days, scholarship was either irregular or way too late from the scheduled date. However, history loves to repeat itself and even after a decade the story is pretty much the same with the exception, the students of this decade are well aware of their rights. The respective department along with the concerned minister (no matter from which party) has often been brought under the scanner. We hope change comes soon. 

5. The Police Modernization Scam

When Mumbai Attack happened way back in 2008, this was one of the newspapers' subtitle,  "Mumbai Police fought AK 47 wielding terrorists with obsolete .303 rifles."

We pray this situation does not happen in Nagaland. We know the weapons or the mode of communication use(d) by the armed police in Nagaland is 2G. It will be an utopian dream to think about having a NYPD makeover. Nevertheless, crores of money was granted for a grand upgradation but it hardly materialized as it was sabotaged by corruption. 

(Reference:https://morungexpress.com/scam-in-nagaland-police-dept-serious-mha/)

Talking About Poems

The ancient world used to sing about beauty, snow and flowers, moon and wind, misty mountains and gregarious rivers.

Today, we argue about iron and steel, pollution and toxins, nuclear war and yes, the Coronavirus.