The phrase “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” represents a common belief: By surviving adversity, we become more resilient. Yet, this belief could be harmful when applied to society’s most vulnerable individuals. In Mokokchung, many hardworking people are struggling to make their ends meet. There are many people who are struggling on a daily basis, living hand to mouth, working for a square meal a day, and living a poor quality of life. No, we do not see street beggars or homeless people in Mokokchung but that does not mean that there is no poverty. The pangs of poverty may not be as severe as it is elsewhere but there are people who are having sleepless nights burdened by economic distress. Here, we don’t have people dying of poverty but that does not mean that people facing economic struggles are getting stronger. Rather, they are living a life devoid of happiness and satisfaction. A vast majority of the people are living uncertain lives economically, and many households are struggling to find their way out of the debt trap. In such an economically distressing situation, it is difficult to imagine the ideal society that one would wish for.
The per capita income of Nagaland as per the latest available data is Rs 78,367 which is lower than the national average of Rs 86,454. Per capita income or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area’s total income by its total population. It means an income of just about Rs.6,530 per head per month in Nagaland, or Rs.218 per day. However, as is self-explanatory, the per capita income is just the average estimated income and not actual. While someone may be making an income of Rs.1000 per day, there is another who is making less than Rs.200 per day. As a community, we have to try to find ways to improve the per capita income so that every member of the society leads a decent life. Otherwise, in the long run, the poor per capita income will lead to economic disparity and the rich-poor divide will grow deeper. At that stage, unimaginable crimes and immoral practices will rear its ugly head and society will ultimately pay the price that will affect all members of the society.
Already, there are families unable to pay their children’s school fees or meet their basic needs. Unemployment is rising year after year. There are no employment avenues even if people are willing to work. Those who do work are also underpaid, especially in the private sector. The overall fiscal and economic viability of the community is under a lot of distress and it is just impossible for someone to earn a livelihood that is proportionate to the effort put in. It will require a miracle to take us out of this economic quagmire we are in.