The things that distinguish humans from animals are the ability of complex reasoning, the use of complex language, and the ability to solve complex problems. The human species is characterized by its intellectual and rational abilities, its capacity for abstract thought and creativity. Humans are also capable of communicating through language. Humans are the only species known to engage in symbolic thought, or the use of language to represent ideas or concepts. Moreover, humans are endowed with the faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively – intellect. Unlike animals, humans can also think and distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad. Humans are conscious.
It is in this parlance that this column would like to look at the humans in Mokokchung. The faculty that sets humans apart from animals seems to be, well, amiss. The humans here seem to be so consciously unconscious that they are unaware of their rights and those who are aware do not want to talk about it. The human intellect, that which distinguish the human from the animal, is absent. The government is given to misgovernance and all the humans here seem to be comfortable with being misgoverned. The CAG report in the most recent assembly session in Kohima disclosed misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs. 2,07,00,00,000/- and no one was even bothered to raise a word! There are countless issues Mokokchung is faced with but the docile humans here have no problem living with the issues, or so it seems.
The human intellect has escaped even the intellectuals here. The doctors, professors, engineers, teachers and professionals are all living pleasant lives free from all the cares of the world. Even the retired officers have nothing to talk about. Everybody seems to be living contented lives. Find a job, settle down, draw your salaries, enjoy your pension – the vision of human life has come full circle. To the intellectuals, you know that you have something to say and your silence is a lie. Speak up. Your silence implies agreement. Mokokchung needs her intellectuals to guide her, to speak up for her.
It is understandable that your silence is not always because you are in agreement with whatever is ailing Mokokchung. Sometimes there is no safety in vocalizing your opinion or disagreement. But being a conscious human endowed with intellect, you should be able to find a way to not remain silent. The biggest handicap for Mokokchung today is because the intellectuals have decided to remain silent. Don’t give Mokokchung the malady of intellectual bankruptcy.