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.