I do not know how to weave a bamboo basket. But, elders used to say, ‘nokti’ (the central point) is most important. It leads the way to the conclusion ‘tempang zenpa’ (cutting of the edges or giving final touches to the woven bamboo basket. Similarly, I also heard a wise word from an elder; he took the bamboo basket as a metaphor. He said, “Aan khang tak-ba mapang-ko, moluk takba mapang-ko, nükti tenaker, tempang mezangteter metem teküm teli mao!” (When weaving a bamboo basket, for chicken coop or a bamboo basket, you start with the centre and end it; don’t live a life like that you don’t know how to end the basket, okay!) The elder was my grandfather. May his soul rest in peace.
The words of our forebears resonates at this moment especially when I read about the unnecessary hullabaloo about the Nagaland Foothill Road project. It is quite sad that there is division of opinion on this historic project.
The past week, the local newspapers were replete with this issue. The laymen, like me, were bombarded with good words from all corners. On the one side, there is the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee. No one can undermine their sacrifice and effort they put in for more than a decade. Then there is the Church. I remember giving my month tithe to the Foothill road as requested by ABAM in 2018. Then, there are the apex tribal organizations like the Konyak Union, Ao Senden, Sumi Hoho, Lotha Hoho et al. This is a project that has been prayed by the Naga people and blessed by God through the prayers of the Naga people.
I remember when Shri Nuklutoshi Longkumer MLA; when he was the Minister for Highways then, he declared that the foothill roads will be called as ‘Nagaland Express Highway’. He declared it in Mokokchung town, I was there. Then everything came to a seemingly standstill. Until the resilient, Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee started the course and pressured our government. Even to the extent of boycotting the 25th anniversary of the Hornbill Festival. All’s well, that ends well. Sadly No.
The last couple of weeks, reading the newspapers – the press releases, the rejoinder and counter-rejoinder – all indicate to a depressing scenario.
Is it like the fabled old man weaving a bamboo basket finding it hard to give the finish touch? Or is it there are too much people asking or telling the Old man to weave the basket in a certain way.
As an ordinary person, I enjoy reading the papers, and sadly, the bamboo basket might be put into flames if, on the part of all, show some magnanimity. After all, it is not who constructs the road, but it is about how the road is constructed. Surely there must be a way. There should be a way. We have come so far, why let it go to waste? Thankfully to our local newspapers, they have highlighted the issue, the both side of it, and the people would be the judge ultimately.
Thus, with a sad heart, I, in my personal capacity as a citizen, humbly urge the contending parties – the State government, the NFHRCC, the Contractors, and now, the political parties and tribal pressure groups – to at least look at the ‘nokti’, the central point for initiating this grand project. Let us all, keep in mind that the fulfillment of this project will be a dream come true for us all. The question is not about why or how? Because the answer is already there, the Naga people need this road. Hopefully, the younger generation, when they eventually travel on the Foothill road will appreciate all those who sacrificed their all for a road that connects almost Naga people. The journey might be long, but let’s keep the dream of traversing our beautiful Nagaland from Mon to Peren, uninterrupted, enjoying the blessed cool air and warm smiles of our Naga brothers and sisters, a reality. God bless Nagaland.
Longrangty Longchar
Mokokchung Town