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.