Stuck in Lodi Again
The song “Lodi” by Creedence Clearwater Revival tells the story of a musician stranded in the small town of Lodi, unable to move forward, trapped by circumstance and misfortune. “Oh…
No Clean Rolls, No Clean Elections
There is no perfect society, and Naga society is no exception. Yet, acknowledging imperfection cannot become an excuse for accepting decay. Today, apart from the longstanding Indo-Naga political question, corruption…
The Ritual of a Broken Ballot
Politics is the process by which people make decisions about how a society is governed. Politics is meant to be the quiet, dignified exercise of collective choice. It is where…
Is Corruption in Our Genes?
There are times when the scale and persistence of corruption appears so routine, so deeply embedded, that one is tempted to ask whether it has become part of our inheritance,…
Koridang Violence: A Collective Failure of System and Society
The Longkhum village incident marks a disturbing low in Nagaland’s electoral history. Poll-related violence anywhere, at any time, is indefensible. That it has claimed yet another life in a constituency…
When Dreams Feel Like Prophecy
Dreams have long occupied a curious space between science and mystery. While vivid and lucid dreams are now well understood, the idea of precognitive dreams continues to fascinate and unsettle…
Democracy and Its Discontents in Nagaland
There is no perfect form of government, yet democracy continues to be regarded as the closest to an ideal. India’s parliamentary system rests on the principles of representation and participation,…
World Cup Fever Begins to Stir
Football’s universal appeal will once again be on display as the final lineup for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is completed after nearly three years of qualifiers. The expanded 48…
Why Staying Back No Longer Appeals
Migration from remote districts to urban centres is a natural and growing trend. For many in places like Mokokchung, the appeal of cities such as Kohima and Dimapur lies in…
The Irony of Post-Retirement Rhetoric
The transition of retired senior bureaucrats into active politics has become a familiar pattern in Nagaland. It is, in principle, a matter of personal choice. There is nothing inherently wrong…