Black Days

“We live for ourselves only when we live for others”.
Tolstoy
On 03 March, Black Day was observed by 8 tribes of 4 districts; Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng and the state capital Kohima. The reason was killing of 2 innocent Konyaks by NSCN (IM). On 04 March people of Medziphema held a peace rally against inter factional fight on 03 Mar 07. The way fratricidal killings are going on, there should be a black day everyday. Can we afford this? Can we define a Black Day? To my mind, it is a peaceful protest, peaceful show of unity, peaceful show of reverence for the dead and peaceful way of causing the life to come to a standstil as a pressure point for administration. It is a complete closure and nothing moves in the society i.e. no transaction, no productivity etc. Bandhs called by the outfits for their vested interest are akin to black days but with a difference of purpose and modality.
We all need to understand effect of these closures and answer: How much loss to our society takes place? How many students miss their studies? How many man days are lost? How many daily wagers miss their meals? How much productivity is affected? Please do not misunderstand the author. I am not advocating against peaceful protests but dastardly acts of mindless fratricides. Effort needs to be made to remove the cause form our society i.e. Vested Interests (those involved in fratricide, and those calling bandhs for meeting their own ends forgetting societal losses). We need to come out of our telescopic view and broaden our horizon where we draw our happiness from happiness of others. If these factions are wishing the wellness of society as they claim, they must stop these killings. But why will they! It gives them edge over the unarmed locals who get intimated, succumb to their demands due to fear, whether it is paying of so called voluntary tax, feeding these miscreants free of cost, doling out money at gun point for easy life these unauthorized gun wielders enjoy. Do these fratriciders realize the kind of darkness they are causing in the lives of parents, brothers and sisters who have lost their kin? I wish they do!

I know my young friends have the Energy, Will & Stamina to achieve whatever they desire, decide & dedicate themselves to. Then why can’t they decide to use their enterprise for better life, better environment and overall the peaceful and progressive society with no closures: peaceful or violent. Nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve our own society. We have examples to emulate; Entrepreneurs Association (EA) in Nagaland started by a few young men, Tsusu Mary who is working for a local NGO against drug abuse at Kiphire. Her dedication and commitment has earned her titles like Angel in the Town, Florence Nightingale etc. There are many other such path breakers. I am sure we have very many young men and women (including misguided youth) who are willing to follow these examples and contribute positively for a lively and better society where love, affection, care, dignity of labor and enterprise is a rule that is in line with our cultural ethics.
“There are no great acts, only small acts done with great love”.
‘Mother Terresa’