Tribalism in Nagaland
Tribalism in the context of Naga people may refer to a strong sense of identity, loyalty, and attachment to one’s own tribal group within the larger Naga society. This sentiment…
Greasing the palm in the oil palm program?
The 2030 vision document of the Directorate of Oil Palm Research, under the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), aims to expand India’s oil palm cultivation to 10 lakh hectares.…
A problems-are-opportunities mindset
The phrase “problems are opportunities” encapsulates the idea that challenges, setbacks, or difficulties can often be reframed as chances for growth, learning, and positive change. It is a mindset that…
Demonizing jhum cultivation is passé
For many decades now, the state government and its agencies have been campaigning against shifting or jhum cultivation in Nagaland, so much so that the traditional agricultural practice that sustained…
The ban on single-use plastics in Mokokchung
It is certainly not right to make a blanket statement on the ban on single-use plastics in Mokokchung but it can be argued that it has so far been a…
Stateless Nations and the Legacy of the Peace of Westphalia: Struggles for Recognition and Self-Determination
The concept of the modern nation-state originated in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. The idea of the nation-state spread to other parts of the world in the 18th…
Are we citizens or subjects?
The terms “citizen” and “subject” are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings. A citizen is a member of a political community who has certain rights and responsibilities.…
A monumental fallacy
The challenges of balancing economic interests with environmental and social considerations remain significant. Likewise, the economic benefits of oil palm cultivation and its negative aspects with detrimental environmental and social…
To blame or not to blame the elected representative
While it is not wrong to hold the political leaders responsible, especially the elected representatives of the people, it is also not fair to blame them for all the wrongs…
Decoding Nagaland CM’s stand on the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act
Like most seasoned political leaders, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio made a nuanced approach while responding to media persons in Kohima on the contentious Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023. He…