Short public memory

The current election cycle will culminate with the declaration of results and a new government will be sworn in shortly thereafter. All the election-related violence along with all the dirty tricks employed by all the contesting parties will give birth to the new government. Supporters of the winning candidates and political parties will celebrate and the euphoria will soon wane out. Some will be elected and some will become ministers, advisors and chairpersons. In fact, we might even get another opposition-less government yet again – after all, Naga political issue, remember? If the exit polls are to be proved right, we are going to see the same people at the helm of the state of affairs after the people have given their verdict.

Soon, and very soon, people will be back to their normal lives. And then they will start complaining about the things they have been complaining about before. Life here is a tragedy – or, rather, a comedy! It is true that public memory is short. We get the kind of government we deserve and, therefore, let us not be surprised. The kind of governance we have, regardless of whichever party is in power or whoever the politician is, is our own making and we have none to blame but ourselves.

The poor memory of the public is responsible for the poor governance we have. And then many of us will try to twist or re-write public memory for one’s own goals and selfish interests. The rich and powerful, particularly the political class, will continue to maintain their clout over the hapless people. This really is a very unfortunate situation we have created for ourselves.

Historically, all over the world, most societies that went through difficult times like ours produced great men and women who successfully rallied the people around them and achieved extraordinary things for the good of their people. Many didn’t and were washed away by the tides of time. One shudders in fear if our society would see the fate of the later – a society soon to be compromised and forgotten. Many nations even in modern times, especially after World War 2, have seen leaders who transformed their nations in their lifetime – leading their people to progress and prosperity. Sadly, in the context of Nagaland, it is difficult to even hope for such a leader to emerge. Yet, it is all that there is – hope.