Rethinking conventions

The need for and importance of organizing conferences and conventions are numerous. Also, the benefits for those who attend such conventions and conferences are manifold. Similarly, the students’ conventions and conferences are no doubt needed. If we look at the history of conferences and conventions of the student community in Mokokchung, it dates back to 1929 when the first Ao Students’ Conference was held in Longkhum village. It is commonly held that the AKM was formed with the vision of providing leadership to the people in matters of education and social change. It is of significance to note that the AKM is the first students’ organization/union in the North East of India. After the formation of Ao Kaketshir Mungdang in 1929, there was a mushrooming of students’ organizations across the land. Every village and every range gave themselves a students’ organization. During the early days, the conferences of these students’ organizations were held annually. Later, these conferences were held bi-annually and, lately, conferences of most of the range students’ organizations as well as that of the AKM are held triennially. Even as this column is being penned down, there are two conferences being held simultaneously. The Langpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (LKM) is holding its 75 years anniversary cum 33rd Sports Meet in Chuchuyimlang village while the Asetkong Kaketshir Telongjem Mungdang (AKTM) is holding its 43rd general conference in Mopungchuket village with special focus on cultural amelioration. Later, from January 18-20, the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) will hold its 69th general conference in Akhoya village.

While conferences and conventions are welcome, it is felt that the manners in which these conferences and conventions are being held need certain changes that seek to address the challenges of the times. While the changes that need to be brought about are left to the wisdom of the stakeholders, it is observed that the rationale behind holding these conferences and conventions need to be revisited. The primary focus should and ought never to be on parochialism. Progress of one should not be at the expense of another. There never must be room for village against village or range against range animosity. Further, it is sensed that the time is nigh to revisit the idea of a students’ organization. While the objective was lofty and appreciated during the formative years, a lot of things have now changed but the idea or understanding of a students’ organization remains unchanged. In Mokokchung, the students’ organization also functions like a youth organization or a sports organization. It is not to say that a students’ organization should not care about youth issues, sports, culture or other issues that affect the lives of the students. The point is that it is simply not possible for a students’ organization to address all the issues effectively. If that be the case, then what would be the possibly ideal way forward?