The Splendor and the Struggle: Nagaland's Hornbill Festival

Hornbill festival is one of the largest cultural festivals in the world. This year marks the 25th year anniversary. Our state, Nagaland, is already faced with a budget deficit of some thousand crores, but to keep the tag of 'Festival of Festivals' intact, money has been pumped in for the success of this event. After all, bill is a crucial word to complete Hornbill. 

For the time being, the amusement brought about by the Hornbill festival might help us to divert ourselves from the pertaining questions like unemployment, poor infrastructural facilities, corruption etc. On social media, some of users have ranted about it. 

True, tourism is also a way to generate state revenue, and Hornbill festival provides the best opportunity for promoting tourism by attracting domestic and international tourists, no doubt about it. However, when a state aims to be a tourist destination, it has to be backed by a strong Destination Development Plan or else investment will turn into expenditure, the loss of which cannot be recovered even in the coming years. 

Right from its inception, Hornbill festival has received its fair share of criticism, mainly from two groups: one that questions about its economic feasibility and the other, who are more concerned about its impact on our spirituality. However, both the groups might agree on keeping our rich Naga culture alive. History has it, one of the ways by which culture is kept alive is through commercialisation of it. Wine is an integral part of French culture and this culture of theirs has been kept intact through its sheer accessibility and promotion. Hence, it's wise not to push our culture to a frozen peak just because a middle ground cannot be achieved due to overlapping of opinions and ideologies. 

Lastly, in my opinion, the venues where major events are supposed to held should be strictly supervised. Till now, no catastrophe has happened, thankfully never a stampede. However, what if a short circuit ignites a fire and engulfs the arena, but yes, to its credit the festival is celebrated in open air, I am just getting paranoid. 

A Mispronounced Melody: A Tale of Human Nature

A band consisting of six members was practicing for their upcoming gospel concert. One of the mates sang, 

"I will workshop the Lord in Spring. I will workshop the Lord in Summer. I will workshop the Lord in Fall. I will workshop the Lord in Winter. "

The singer pronounced the word 'worship' as 'workshop'. 

Being ignorant of the error, Singer B repeated the same. 

Amused by it, Singer C laughed so hard. 

Singer D whispered to Singer A, "It's pronounced as vuh-shuhp. " But quickly texted to her gossip gang, "My team mates are giving me a tough time. Singer A's pronunciation sucks, she can't even get the pronunciation of worship right and Singer B is worse. "

Singer E didn't even notice the error. 

Singer F just kept to herself as it was of no good to her. 

In life, we meet people who are ignorant, who are emotional, who are narcissist, who are indifferent, who value only their self-interest. Hence, it's okay to make mistakes, we can't control others' expressions and reactions, they are who they are. 

That Church Pastor and His Scandal

Let me begin by citing you a story, a true story. Ted Haggard was a well known Christian pastor of a Mega Church and also the President of the National Evangelical Association, TIME magazine voted him as one of the influential religious leaders of America. He was also known to have preached plenty of anti-gay rhetoric. Long story short, but he fell from the grace when he found entwined in a sex scandal involving a male prostitute. Soon enough, after lots of pressure, he stepped down from the post of the preacher of the church he founded and also resigned from the National Evangelical Association. Then on, he started a new church, but there too, he faced allegations of inappropriate sexual misconduct on young men.  After which he started a new church again, this time literally in his own house. Crazy life!

There are numerous stories around the globe about Christian priests, pastors, evangelists and apologists who found themselves exposed to the sexual scandals they had committed. But, this year’s news of a Naga pastor shocked the state. If our records are right then this is the first time in our state where a person working in a church ministry was involved. He was quickly labelled as ‘P3DO’, not by the law makers though. On a side note, pedophilia means primarily or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children, whereas, ephebophilia is for sexual interest in later adolescents, typically ages 15-18. It’s a legal thing that the names and details of the victims were not made public. 

After this news broke out, the public reaction was apparent, people stormed out on social media, some wrote about what has to be done citing POCSO ACT, some wrote about the evils prevailing in our society, some were more concerned about, ‘why Naga celebrities were not vocal about it?’, some intellectuals wrote about the power dynamics associated with such crimes, some wrongly blamed the church he was working in and some illogical people questioned in general, the morality of people who serves in the church ministry.  

Anyway, what matters is not the reaction but the response. The response results in the execution of the culprit, based on concrete evidence, by the jury, judge and executioner. The last news I have of this incident was from one of the Nagamese YouTube news channels, which stated that the concerned individual is absconding. He is not Osama Bin Laden, hence, I do not know, how rigorous the manhunt will be. But, I hope, sooner or later, he will be brought to Nagaland and he will be tried for the offences he has committed. The sensation which this news once created in our small state seems to have cooled off after news of various financial scams were brought to light. Indeed, we live in a fast paced world. 

Love and the Mismatch

A bird and a fish fell in love. The fish could try to express its love with its majestic swim moves; the bird could chirp the sweetest of melody for the fish. But at night, the bird returned to its nest on the tall tree and the fish returned to its secured coral. They love each other, no doubt about it, but where would they live? No matter how great their magnitude of love was for each other, they could never built a home together.

Sometimes, in our lives we meet people; we fell for them, the feeling can be mutual. However, it becomes impossible for some to build a home together. There could be various reasons for such impossibility but the greatest of all, we are a big mismatch. No matter how many sacrifices we might make and be ready to fight the world but if we are not meant to build a home together then we can’t. Accepting when a relationship just can’t work, a fish and a bird can stay as friends, we can stay as friends.

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE GARDEN CANTEEN

Often we see pictures of restaurants, cafeterias, bakeries or even college/school canteens uploaded by youngsters, social media influencers or customers who had a great time out there. But what about the hospital canteens? Of course, hospital is not a pleasant place, it's an honest place.  

Let me share about one of the hospital canteens in Dimapur, which left a lasting impression on me. Nested away on the ground floor of CIHSR (Referral Hospital), The Garden canteen was a haven of tranquility amidst the bustling chaos of the medical facility. Unlike the brewing tensions in the wards, cabins and ICU, the canteen offered a serene ambiance. The menu at The Garden canteen catered to a variety of tastes, from hearty home-made kind of comfort food to light and healthy meals. If not the patients then at least their attendants could enjoy meals which aligned with their Naga taste buds.  The canteen's staff was known for their friendly and attentive service. They were always happy to accommodate the customers' needs and demands. The Garden canteen also offered a selection of beverages, cookies, basic toiletries and stationery etc.  

Beyond its delicious food and welcoming atmosphere, The Garden served as a place for patients and their attendants to connect and relax over a plate of meal. It was a space where they could take a break from the stress of illness and enjoy a meal together. For many including me, the canteen became a cherished memory of my/ their time at the hospital.

What is Digital Rape?

When I first heard of the term 'Digital R*', I thought, the R word was to be taken as a metaphor, and Digital R* meant damaging the reputation of someone through the use of digital tools like computer, phone, laptops etc. But I was wrong. 

Digit means number/integer. However, when it comes to Digital R, 'digital' refers to the digits on a person's hands or feet. Digital R is a form of sexual assault where a person forcibly and without concent inserts their fingers or toes into another person's private parts. In India, Digital R was recognised in 2013 after the Nirabhaya R case of 2012. It was defined and punished as a R offence under Sections 375 and 376 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013. Hence, if one commits Digital R, it doesn't make the offender less of a rapist. The offender will be tried in the same way as a rapist. 

I have just defined the term in the simplest way. If you are interested to learn more about it, then you can pick up books, articles and newspapers on or relating to this topic. 

Beyond the Daily Gossip: A Personal Reflection on Loan Defaulters

Every morning, before I sip my first cup of tea, I go through the pages of the local daily. Most of the news are from last day's social media posts and updates. But the catch? We don't get to see the names or institutes/ companies who are summoned by the court for being loan defaulters. I don't have Schadenfreude complex but the situation of those people amuses me. How did they land up there? 

Borrowing from a bank is not a joke. In Nagaland, bank loans are considered as the last resort, thanks to our strong community bonding. When friends, family or relatives are in no position to lend then we knock the doors of the banks. Paying off the credit amount and the interest is truly courageous. Many a times, we spent our lifetime paying the interest alone. 

Sometimes, the defaulters' names (made clearer because of their home address or their institutes' names) comes as a shock to me. I am guilty for judging them but the passing rhetoric, 'Aren't they rich?/ Isn't the institute doing financially well?' crosses my mind. 

I won't be able to waive off their loans or of any help to them financially. But it teaches me a good lesson, not to borrow which you can't pay, to carefully consider the interest rate and to know the value of your assets and the amount of your liabilities. If not then apart from being dragged to the court, the unworthy recognition of your name in the local dailies might make the readers look at you with pity like I do. 

Beyond Privilege: Can Reservations Create True Equality in Nagaland ULBs?

After many delays and deliberations, finally, there will be 33 % reservation for women in Nagaland ULB elections, which is stated to be held on 26th June, 2024. It's a progressive step, as it will have an inclusive outlook on the policies meant for the targeted urban population. Hopefully, it will benefit women in a greater frame. Young Naga girls who have political ambitions need a home grown woman leader as a role model to shape their political dreams. 

Till date, apart from their 'mothers' (who are not even interested in local electoral politics), they don't seem to have to a Naga female politician who can act like a role model. But yes, same can be said when it comes to choosing a role model from the pack of male politicians. It's just that, it will be easy to atleast pick a name when it comes to male politicians. However, the need of the hour is not to search for a perfect role for the young girls who aspires to be future legislators. The need, however, is to make electoral politics free from the biasness that revolves around gender lines.

My only apprehension is, what if the majority of the women who are elected for ULB are from privilege backgrounds, say wife of /daughter of. In such cases, the whole argument will take a different course. Anyway, it's better to have a woman from a privilege background than not to have woman at all. It's better to break the cycle of no/under representation. Lastly, the supporters of gender equality have come a long way, but it looks like the journey hasn't ended yet.

Gap Year: Invest in Your Future

It's perfectly okay to take a gap year. Our state board has recently declared the Class-12 results. As usual, the majority of students from the science stream will take a gap year to prepare for their medical or engineering entrance examinations. Students from the commerce stream might choose to pursue a BBA or B.Com, and the arts stream will face the dilemma of which majors to choose and which college/university to enroll in.

To them I just want to say, why not take a gap year? Many students in the West take gap year or years just to be sure whether they really want to continue with their further education or their calling is in something else. I must say, it's a good strategy. In that gap year, one can conduct good market research to determine which majors are in demand for the next ten years. Don't make impulsive decisions about your major subjects.  There are subjects already considered redundant or with little to no scope in the job market. Why risk your career because of an uninformed decision?

Moreover, during this gap year, it's highly encouraged to pursue a skill development certificate or diploma course. This allows students to earn through a side hustle while in college.The point I want to make is, don't rush. It's perfectly okay to take a gap year. However, the final decision is best made by you.

An Allegory on Conformity

There was a village inhabited by scrawny people. They often wondered, why they never put on weight?

Once, in their village came an obese girl. The villagers switched their gaze towards her, as if she was an alien. They gathered around her. Suddenly, someone from the crowd threw a stone at her. The others replicated the same. They killed the lady. After killing her, they burnt her body. But within few hours, they were filled with guilt. They cried for what they had done. They mourned for months. 

The following year, a cheerful man passed their village. His whistles attracted the attention of the village children, who then informed about the man to their parents. In no time, all the villagers circled around him. They started beating him up. He tried to escape but the might of the crowd overpowered him. He died a tragic death. Then the villagers begin to smile, laugh, sing and dance. From then on, they live happily ever after. 

5 MISTAKES YOU SHOULD NEVER MAKE AT WORK PLACE

Opinions are strictly personal. No harm intended.

1. Never engage in a romantic liaison with your co-worker until and unless this romance ends in marriage. The chances of one of you leaving the office is high if ever the relationship meets a breaking point. 

2. Never assume that your colleagues are your friends. They are just there for their jobs and the pay cheque, but when it comes to promotion they will look out for themselves and overthrow you.

3. Never discuss your personal life with your co-workers. Refrain from sharing your future plans.

4. Even if you don't agree with your boss, never share it with your co-workers, keep it to yourself because everything you share might be used against you. It takes no time to reach the boss' ears.

5. If you feel the office where you work promotes toxic environment and is making you a person you are not proud of then better to resign and be free from all the worries. 

Doctors For Nagaland

I have realised something and I want to write about it. Parents should encourage their children to be what they want to be, if only their child's dreams are realistic. Parents with well balanced minds won't be motivating their kids to be Spider-Man or Ironman no? My generation, the Millennials, belonged to that batch of Naga parenting where the home career counseling session focused on sitting for either UPSC or NPSC to get into the prestigious Civil Service. The session is now attended by the Generation Z. 

Serving the society is a noble deed. There are many ways to achieve this goal. However, the closest one is, be a medical practitioner. Till date, our state has not produced any renowned cardiologist or neurologist or oncologist whose skills are renowned all over the country or say our region (Northeast), to say the least. Our state is in  dire need of high functioning doctors (medicine). Men are mortal, diseases are going to stay with its deadlier version each passing year. Hence, this small state of ours need medical practitioners who are dedicated and brave to fight this battle, but above all, who are ethical and are true to the Oath. 

Hippie Grass

If lavender was green,

make me a salad. 

If you were charming and true,

wrote a poem for you.

When the tea was warm,

rain had its romance.

But when I figured out the past,

the future looked bleak.

When the rays hit the bar,

rainbows dance to your brow.

When we were traveling,

we lost the map to the road.

I have a string,

but the band won't march for the lost glory.