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OPINiON/EDITORIAL
Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 269 Dimapur, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020
I
Govt’s milch cow
t was bad news when the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, disclosed that India’s GDP has contracted by 23.9% in April-June this year. The worst hit were construction which contracted at 50.3% while trade, hotel, transport, communication contracted at 47%.Added to pandemic the crisis has been deepened by the ever increasing price of fuel that has the potential of pushing up inflation and hitting the low income and daily wage earners hardest. The government has been raising excise duty, VAT etc for the umpteenth time since 2014. In May 2012, when petrol prices were hiked by steepest at Rs 7.54 a litre, Narendra Modi had called it a failure of UPA government. Today, petrol is the costliest in India in all of South Asia. The increase in petrol prices by UPA was done following a 14.5 per cent rise in crude oil prices and a 3.2 per cent devaluation of the rupee. The price of the Indian basket of crude oil crashed from USD 113 per barrel in May 2014 during UPA-II to USD 50 by January in 2015 prompting PM Narendra Modi to thank his “luck” for reducing prices. His run of good luck continued till middle of 2017. At one point in January 2016, crude oil price fell to USD 29 per barrel. Today, notwithstanding the consistent fall of crude oil prices, both petrol and diesel have only become dearer for consumers in India, with the government trying to cash in on lower prices by hiking the excise duty of the fuels. The cash-strapped Central government has been consistent in hiking the excise duties on the fuels. In 2014, the excise duty on per litre of petrol and diesel were Rs 9.48 and Rs 3.56 respectively. This has risen to Rs 32 per litre for petrol and Rs 31.83 for diesel (a hike of around 137 per cent). In 2014 a litre of petrol in Delhi was Rs.71.51 and diesel was Rs.57.28. In 2020 a litre of petrol cost Rs.82.08 and a litre of diesel costs Rs.73.56. In spite of the government slashing excise duty on petrol according to the Budget 2018, yet there seems to be no downward curve when the price of petrol is taken into consideration. This is due to the introduction of Rs. 8 per litre as Road Cess. An increase in transportation costs and shortages in supply of some key perishable items such as vegetables and onions probably has pushed food prices higher. If input costs rise, so should the cost of end products. For example, if the price of oil rises, then cost of products will also increase and create inflation. Economists said inflation edged up to a sixth-month high in August, driven by higher food prices and as the battered rupee made key imports such as fuel costlier. This is part of a pattern of excessive taxation of fuel - which governments tend to use as a cash cow. In Delhi, for example, two-thirds of what a person pays at the petrol pump consists of Central excise and state value added tax. India has, as a result, the highest tax rates on fuel compared to any other country in the world. It is time to bring petrol, diesel and petroleum products under GST to take away the whimsical power of oil companies and the government to hike fuel prices. This way, prices of fuel will be stabilised.
DailyDevotion A Life of Pure and Holy Sacrifice
He who believes in Me…out of his heart will flow… —John 7:38 Jesus did not say, “He who believes in Me will realize all the blessings of the fullness of God,” but, in essence, “He who believes in Me will have everything he receives escape out of him.” Our Lord’s teaching was always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a person— His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us— and we cannot measure that at all. When Mary of Bethany “broke the flask…of very costly oil…and poured it on [Jesus’] head,” it was an act for which no one else saw any special occasion; in fact, “…there were some who…said, ‘Why was this fragrant oil wasted?’ ” (Mark 14:3-4). But Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion, and said, “…wherever this gospel is preached…what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:9). Our Lord is filled with overflowing joy whenever He sees any of us doing what Mary did— not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him. God poured out the life of His Son “that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). Are we prepared to pour out our lives for Him? “He who believes in Me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”— and hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. Now is the time for us to break “the flask” of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?
Quotes
Between saying and doing, many a pair of shoes is worn out. ~ Iris Murdoch
Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020
Post-mortem
COVID-19: Dawn of a new age of reason
E
ight months passed-by, coronavirus (COVID-19) continues its rampage without any pause. Its momentum is on the ascent as it kills and infects millions of people across the world. For instance, in India as of today 3.31 million total number of cases have been infected whereas those died of the deadly pandemic are 60, 472. The curve is predicted to surge in the coming days and weeks. Experts are desperately trying their level best to flatten the curve of COVID-19 by developing a vaccine. How long would it take? Answer to this question looms at large. The scenario we live is so fluid and highly ambiguous. Everything seem to be vague and indefinite. Fearing the deadly coronavirus hundreds and thousands of people have gone to distant places for livelihood and education have fled to their native places travelling hundreds of kilometers facing numerous hurdles. Stories and testimonies are so moving and captivating. The unprecedented invisible coronavirus has brought before us many powerful images and imprints revealing and conveyingmultiple meanings that are going on inside them. The deadly pandemic has infused such pains creating anxiety and hopelessness in our midst pushing people togo for medicationsavailable in the forms of syrups, capsules and other combi-
nations in allopathy, homeopathy and ayurvedic pharmaceutical systems.During the pandemonium most the countries and those in the business capitalized the situation to their advantage promoting all kinds—brands all in the name of ‘corona nationalism’ having no authenticity and validity. In times of pandemic there are people who tend to exploit. Developing a vaccine for COVID-19 is in the processwhich would take some more time. Scientist and researchers are involved in developing a vaccine to combat the emergent virus. We live in difficult times as it is spreading its tentacles across the world inflicting massive damages to the life and livelihood of millions of people. All sorts of theories, prescriptions and political narratives surface intersecting with each other, but nothing seem to be working. Nonetheless, people want a clear message that rips open the invisibility of COVID-19. Human tendency during catastrophes waver andthus sways to extremes desperately in order to hold on to something that offers them solace or healing or extends a handle to come out of the crisis or problem be it supernatural, medical or whatever. Now the context we are into is dictated by a global pandemic. In such uncertain and fluid times there are also people to exploit the situation by invoking holy scriptures or God
or pointing to something such as persons, countries, God’s wrath, punishment or prophesizing and many other storiessuch as we are living in end times wooing people so that desperateness tends to buy such things Coronavirus, however, has totally changed the existing format and rubric and in the processdecimated some of the dominant assumptions, perceptions and belief-systems that used to be believed and followed during preCOVID-19 times. It has brought the belief systems to unprecedented levels that prompts us to ponder over. People at large are going through harrowing times as the current pandemic is posing multiple strikes. In such a setting, we need to consider and live through the difficult times that lie ahead. People of faith look to God for divine intervention and others in pure sciences look for scientific reasons. Perhaps we are pushed to another new age of enlightenment as the ways with which COVID-19 is challenging. Even during that period, the great thinkers of the age were forced to answer and respond to with the scientific and rational questions of their times—Locke, Rousseau, Adam Smith, Utilitarians, Adam Smith, Immanuel Kant and many others. Enlightenment gave us liberal values and cardinal principles to look into democracy, rule of law, gover-
nance, justice, freedom, equality, dignity, equity, parity, peace, love and many others. As we moved on higher and higher in our progress and development for which science and technology played vital roles which gave way to strict disciplinary narrowness as science became more technical and super-specialized, and technocrats started to become the driving force and thus started to sit on drivers’ seat. Science and technology needscareful scrutiny based on candid values that addresses the larger humanity, the eco-space and the cosmos that we live and leave for the present and future generations. Science per se has higher purpose insulated with solid enlivening values. Similarly, COVID-19 has exposed the organized religion that centered itself on creeds, traditions, doctrines, liturgy and many others leading to pseudospirituality and pseudo-faith. It has triggered awareness amongst the faith communities to turn to the Scriptures and to God. Adherents of faith now trying to retrieve the very meaning of ecclesia. In theological and religious circles, the axis of discussions and debates now should gear around to the notion of reasons and revelation—postCOVID-19 formulations. We are in a state where we cannot dichotomize—Tertullian once said, “I believe because
it’s absurd”, while on the other, Hume, Kant, Kierkegaard emphasized that reason must be kept aside in order to allow faith. Coronavirus has brought these two vis-à-vis faith and reason, science and religion to a state of animated suspension. It has brought these two entities to a level that allows each other to complement one another without which the existence of one depends on the other—loses its relevanceand thus suffer and certainly gets affected. COVID-19 has triggered us to see the co-relation and connections between faith and reason. Both have their purposes and so we are pushed to see the intricate fusion as reason can provide the knowledge of God based on the nature of the universe and human moral experience which could perhaps be termed as ‘revelation’. Therefore, reason and faith have relational functionalities which could be viewed as they are entwined with each other. To d ay, C OV I D - 1 9 h a s pushed us see a bigger picture from which we are guided by universal and integrated rationality with a collective humanity and even spirituality. If we do not see the connectivity and integrity of these two, we would be pushed to a difficult future and to pull out from that by them would be too late. Dr. John Mohan Razu
Why not negotiate only for Naga country-Nagalim?
T
hrough reading some authoritative books and articles I have compiled this write-up and also take liberty to reproduce some very well said or well-pointed out facts of some relevant matters concerning Nagas past, present and future. I use to wonder what is truly meant by Political Science. I heard once our Veteran Politician S.C Jamir said “Politic is an art of compromising”. By this “well –said word” I use as the “measuring root” assess the individual politician as well as the party. I may say that only after I read the write-up Articles of Mr K. Puro and Mr Salikyu Sangtam which were published in Nagaland Post on 18.8.20 and August 20, 2020 respectively, I came to realise what is meant by Political Science. Mr K. Puro has rightly pointed out the truth that, It is certain that much anticipated settlement is without Sovereignty.... it is obvious that the Agreement is not for all the Nagas. It is nowhere near the Nine Points Agreement 1947 certainly short of the 16 points Agreement 1960, Definitely below the status of Article 37, A. may be worse than that of infamous shilling Accord 1975.... Imagine, the seven decade long struggle with flood and tears to be bartered with only a few Assembly and Parliamentary seats.... after sacrificing tens of thousands of precious lives from both sides, the Sol may not find any difficulty to sign the “final settlement within the constitution of India, provided that the Nagas are United ?....The Blood and Tears of the Nagas should not be exchange with “ Peaceful Solution” alone. Because final settlement will come only after the inherent rights of Nagas i.e Sovereignty and Integration are being attained. In the write-up of Mr Salikyu Sangtam he also rightly pointed out that the term NAGALIM generally refer to the entire Naga inhabited regions (including its ancestral domain) in Myanmar and across the four North-Eastern states... The key legal term pointed in the Framework Agreement is not Nagalim but Nagaland, which is the legally recognized entity/state with defined boundaries and territory under the sovereignty of the Indian Constitution. To be very clear and specific,
it simply means the issues of Naga Integration and Sovereignty are off the table and with it the issue of flag and constitution. “Another significant point, Mr. S. Sangtam writes, is that the title does not mention NSCM (I.M) or (K) or (U) or (R) etc.... Ravi can go and sign with as many splintered groups as there are in Nagaland......after settlement, if any groups continue to struggle for settled issues, they will be officially dealt per criminal law (ie armed gangs etc) and treated as law and order issues (which it already has). In other words, once the agreement is signed, even the NNPGs unrealistic claims about further pursuing for Naga Integration, Sovereignty etc through democratic process will be seen by Government of India and state Government as criminal activities carried out by “armed gangs” Hence the NNGPs must also make its stand clear and specific on this issue or rather remaining quite.... Mr Salikyu in conclusion writes” I urge readers to prudently examine where we are heading and the kind of Society we want to leave behind for the coming generation.....” I would also reproduce here once again the Question Mr Gwanphum Gangmei in his article in Nagaland Post has posed on 21.8.2020, “CAN NAGAS RIGHTS BE BARTERED OR NEGOTIATED? He writes “Nagas Rights are non-Negotiable or can not be bartered for any amount of material gain.” Mr Thepfulhouvi Solo writes in his article Nagaland First (refer to Nagaland Post dated Nov 22, 2019) Nagaland has almost Sovereign freedom in its cultural domain. The constitution of India Article 371 A has 1. Not withstanding anything in this constitution. A) No Act of parliament in respect of i) religions or social practices of Nagas. ii) Naga customary law and procedure. Iii) Administration of civil and criminal justice, involving decisions according to Naga customary law. iv) Ownership and transfer of land and its resources shall apply to the state of Nagaland unless the legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides. Today we all know that we can’t expect
any Prime Minister of India to favour Nagas by extending the recognition of the Sovereignty having a separate flag and constitution Furthermore, though the 9 points Akbar Hydari Agreement as well as the 16 points Agreement had stated that the contiguous Naga areas would be brought under one administration unit. It seems now a foregone conclusion that this commitment or these aspirations of Nagas could not be materialised by the GOI. The whole gamut of finalization of the Indo Naga political talk has now narrowed down to only the settlement of the Naga of the three States of Arunachal, Assam and Manipur in Autonomous council in their own respective states and 20 more MLA and 2 more M.P for Nagaland. Do not belittle our beloved Grand Pa Dev Gowda’s sayings who had said on 18th Aug. 2020 (Nagaland Post). “A peace Accord must be reached at the earliest. Distrust apparently has crept in, the progress made in the last 23 years in 5 successive government must not be forsaken now. There is constitution and also the 2015 framework agreement, which should help its move towards a solution”. Gowda said he sincerely hope that distrust is put aside, talks continue and a peace accord is reached at the earliest. He added the people of the North-East deserve to live in harmony and witness economic progress. Indeed, Ravi’s attempt of converting a political issue into a law and order problem and adapting a stratagem that resulted in the killing and arrest of its members is indeed an insult to GoI and to the Nagas Nation. Let us ask ourselves again what do Nagas really want? We know that Nagas want (what is in their inherent nature for millennia) to assert our right to live in peaceful co-existence with our neighbours (and India or any other nation) as a free nation-people (not being subjugated or controlled by other nation) just as we had live with Britishers with Peace Accord at Mezoma led by Pelhou on 2nd March 1880 even without written Treaty) having our own selfrule or as self-administered county with our Flag, with our own Constitution and as under 37 A&16 points
agreement and nine points Agreement with Hydari in 1947 June. For example in the Hydari Agreement, the Nowgong District forest which belonged to our Naga ancestors’ domain (see the map drawn by European in 1764 and the boundaries clearly stated by Briteshers vide was agreed to be returned to Nagas . We Nagas always had our own defence force and systems in every village. Today, we have our Naga Army, (not armed gangs or miscreants or terrorists system) and we need to maintain a central Naga Army not to make wars with any but to defend and maintain peace, law and order-society as we had been doing throughout our generations. Indeed, we don’t ask Indian Government to grant us Sovereignty Independence or Constitution or flag. Because we have already all these things which India had accepted that our Naga issue is political and has become a nation as recognised by UNO. Mr Kewezu Mero, Joint Secretary and Caretaker, Naga Club Building Kohima in his book “The Story of NAGA CLUB”. He writes that the UNO resolution of 23rd July 2008 had officially declared that the Nagas are recognized as one of the unrepresented Indigenous peoples of the world. Therefore, the Nagas have the full rights to be a separate nation under UNO. This is a reaffirmation about the status of Nagas in the complete excluded Area. This complete excluded Area has the status of political Sovereignty. Naga Sovereignty emerged from the Memorandum which was submitted to the Simon Commission by the Naga Club. Therefore nobody can deny this truth that this is the property of the whole Nagas. Therefore, let all the Nagas reaffirm our stands on this truth of Naga sovereignty which foundation was laid by our forefathers through the Naga Club. On dedicating ourselves to this foundation, the Nagas shall reap the fruit of Peace, Love and Unity and glorify our almighty God. But today what Nagas want is that if India desire to be our Benefactor, sponsoring us with Fund, Creating Upper House and PAN Naga Welfare Fund in the like manner of NEC
and Lower House as state Governments or as Autonomous Regions with special grant of 20 more MLAs & 2 MPs more to the existing Nagaland State Government. Indeed, we wanted to have a dual citizenship and I think it is already in operation-Naga indigenous citizenship and Indian citizenship for travel abroad. Dr Along Longkumer, a very senior and first grade Journalist, the founding Editor of Dimapur based Morung Express in his book, A Way Forward – the idea of a peace Accord between India and Nagas, has reproduced many important words of crucially important persons related to Indo-Naga Peace Accord. A very senior political figure, P. Chidambaram during his tenure as the Union Home Minister of UPA (previous Congress) said... “Creation of Nagaland State could not solve the Naga problem. There is something quite significant.... Also, since under Article 371 (A) Nagaland already enjoys considerable autonomy, it is expected that any solution will have to go beyond autonomy (in centre-state relation) to the next higher status of political Self Rule from India. What this will therefore mean is that firstly, a political settlement has to be agreed upon and reached between India and the Nagas. Secondly, Nagas will have to be given a status higher than the present arrangement of autonomy and statehood. Dr. Along Longkumer writes “K. Padmanabhaiah former Home Union Secretary who was the longest serving Interlocutor ( 19992009) should be credited for laying the ground works for the proposed Naga Peace Accord- the offer from the Government of India was“ the creation of a Naga Re-
gional Council-comprising representative from all major Naga tribes in the NorthEast. Dr. Along Longkumer writes, “Even the Naga National Council (NNC) under Phizo had taken the position that on broader issues, Nagas can be connected to India. The NNC while acknowledging the many connections that existed with India had called for unification and freedom of all tribes and as a distinctive community we must develop according to our genius, taste.......we shall enjoy home rule in our country but on broader issue be connected with India....For the present, the way possible (as explained in a previous chapter) self –rule for the Nagas and on broader issues to be associated with India. A meeting of minds and consensus among the Naga Political Groups should be explored on these points”. (p107). Let us not be guided by the counsels of dirty minded people of Tribalism people or council or the leading of the ignorant people of political science but only harping for “peaceful solution”. Let us make the right choice by reading Ezekiel 17:1-6 and 7-10 and meditate the vrs 14 and 15 Let us be very cautious not to bring about repeat history as God words written in Zechariah 13;8. In very recent month, an elderly man (Naga villager) spoke in T.V in Naga Cable or MM Cable what God revealed to him. He said “If India swallows Nagas, India will be also swallowed”. And Nagas must abide in the policy or principles of NNC original which are now maintained under Adino NNC President Adino Phizo. Dr. N. Kezienou, Kohima
Reader’s Post Sir,
Unstable services
Many ATMs in the city seem to run dry within few hours, forcing people to make a beeline for banks and I too have experienced error while drawing out money. It is hard for people who live in areas where there are no ATMs because most of us go to the main town or the nearest booth which is two or three neighbourhoods away, only to find out that there is an error or the ATM has no money. There seems to be unstable services and this issue needs to be looked into as soon as possible. Imlinochet, Duncan, Dimapur
Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.
