The recent uproar in New Zealand parliament, where the youngest MP of 22 years, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke from the indigenous Maori, danced and performed their traditional ‘Haka’ in protest against a controversial bill that could compromise the rights of the indigenous New Zealanders, where she was joined by other MPs from her community is a sight to be reckon with. yet a poignant feeling and reminder to our intrinsic self.
Watching the clip makes you tell that she was not being dramatic or theatric or to draw attentions but she did it with all her compressed energy and aggregated hurtful emotions that gives you goose bumps and sends shivers down your spine. As for me, i would say for sure that, if this does not give you the chills, then I don’t know what will.
For those of you who has not yet seen this clip, I suggest that you check it out in youtube, news channels and other media platforms, and you’ll know what I mean.
Now, coming back to our own very small little world, can any of our Naga leaders (Politicians, Social, Church, NPGs leaders, no bar, including other top Govt. officials) really let out those kinds of emotions when our culture, our tradition, our way of life, our religion etc are being crushed by other mighty and formidable forces??? It is unfortunately the closest and most probable answer could well be ‘Nay’
Turns out, we Nagas (including me) seems to be the most selfish, narcissistic, self serving, self patronising, and self righteous lots of ‘em all.
All we think is, “If I’m safe (which in other words means, If I’m living in absolute luxury) and if my family is safe, then who cares”
Nevertheless, the matter of fact here is, when a very young girl like Hana, who is well armed with young age, good education, beauty and brain and who could enjoy and live her life young and free or even reckless, is still very concerned for others and the well beings of her community, why not we Nagas too, especially the matured individuals and particularly the so called leaders also learn at least a tidbit from this and to do away with the attitude of ‘Live n Let Die’ but rather invoke the ‘Live n Let Live’ mindset.
AV Chophi
Chilisa, Mishikito Village
Full Nagarjan