It is not the geography, and certainly not the topography, that is to blame for Mokokchung falling behind the rest of the world in every conceivable metric. Perhaps, it is the ‘demography’. Mokokchung is not the only remote place in the world that remains backward and underdeveloped, nor is it the only hilly or landlocked region. There are places situated in far less favorable conditions than Mokokchung, yet they are thriving.
It is said that a people get the village, town, or city they deserve. In other words, it is not the land, but the people who determine the progress and growth of a place. Individuals make up a society, and the kind of individuals we have will determine the kind of society we live in.
No, it is not realistic to expect every member of society to be productive. But it is fair to ask: why are there so few individuals in Mokokchung, if any, actively working for change and progress? Everyone seems to be waiting for the government to do the heavy lifting for Mokokchung’s development. But who is the government? The government is the people.
Hypocrisy, jealousy, and selfishness are not the traits that take a society forward. A society’s true measure lies not in its land, but in the character of its people.
Where are the faith leaders who once moved mountains with their faith?
Where are the scholars who research, investigate, and seek answers to what ails Mokokchung?
Where are the thought leaders who inspire and influence society with their ideas, insights, and perspectives?
Where are the thinkers and writers who shape trends, public opinion, or guide community direction?
Where are the elders “planting trees whose shade they know they will not sit under”?
Where are the young people with a zeal for change?
No individual is perfect but where are the imperfect individuals in Mokokchung who are still impacting lives, changing the course of society, one day at a time?
Everything and everyone seems to be compromised.
We need entrepreneurs like Neichute Doulo, entrepreneurs with a heart to make communities prosper.
We need conservationists like Nuklu Phom, to save the land we did not inherit from our ancestors, but borrowed from our children.
We need faith leaders like Chingmak Chang of ECS, leaders who brighten the corners where they are, and maybe even become the light, the salt.
We need young activists like Meshenlo Kath, young people with the courage to speak up.
Without quality individuals, we cannot expect a quality society.