At a time when much of the developmental discourse in Nagaland centres around government schemes and political patronage, the recognition of Mokokchung as a “self-help town driven by community” by Advisor Imkong L Imchen, as reported by this newspaper, is not merely a compliment. It is food for thought.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Golden Jubilee Memorial Building of the Mangmetonglar Telungjem Mokokchung, Imchen highlighted a crucial distinction: while Kohima thrives on state funding and Dimapur on private enterprise, Mokokchung’s growth has been largely fuelled by collective will and community ownership. This observation is more than a passing remark. It is undoubtedly an acknowledgment of a civic culture that merits deeper study and emulation, but it also raises important questions.
Mokokchung’s tradition of self-reliance has long defined its identity. Whether in maintaining public spaces, supporting educational institutions, or initiating infrastructure projects, its people have consistently demonstrated that development need not wait for top-down intervention. This culture of voluntary service and local leadership has, for instance, not only kept the town relatively clean and organized but also instilled a sense of shared responsibility that is increasingly rare in today’s urban societies.
In contrast, Kohima’s dependence on government funding raises concerns about the sustainability and efficiency of state-led development. Dimapur, with its commercial energy, may be growing rapidly, but often at the cost of civic cohesion and long-term planning. Mokokchung, meanwhile, strikes a different balance: modest in scale yet deeply rooted in community values.
Imchen’s observation holds largely true. To corroborate, many of the town’s pioneering educational institutions were originally founded by the community, with some later taken over by the government. Almost all commercial buildings were developed by community groups and remain so. While a few private enterprises and government establishments have emerged in recent years, they pale in comparison to the scale seen in Kohima or Dimapur.
While this self-driven growth model has many strengths, it also brings to light several persistent and unanswered questions. Community-led development must continue to bridge the gaps left by the state. But we must also ask why government-led initiatives are so limited in Mokokchung, and why there is so little private sector investment.
In other words, Mokokchung’s community spirit is a beacon of strength, but not a substitute for state and private support. Unless a balance is struck between community effort, government support, and private enterprise, Mokokchung’s growth risks remaining steady but painfully slow.