Modern life has grown increasingly self-centered. Most people criticize from the sidelines, others indulge in gossip, a few get involved, very few encourage, and only a small minority offer genuine help. This shift is affecting the very foundation of society, where individual gratification is prioritized over collective well-being.
For the Naga community, engagement and contribution were once defining characteristics. Helping others, participating in community initiatives, and nurturing collective progress were not exceptions; they were expected. Today, however, this spirit has waned. People focus on personal advancement, chasing material comfort and self-fulfillment, leaving little room for contributing to broader societal causes.
Contribution is not limited to monetary support. Skill, talent, goodwill, and even a simple word of encouragement or prayer can make a meaningful difference. Yes, effective contribution also requires planning, organization, and the ability to mobilize resources. However, these skills are only valuable when there are people willing to give time, effort, and energy without expecting personal gain. When selfishness dominates, progress stalls, and even the best-organized initiatives struggle to succeed. It is unrealistic to expect everyone to participate, but when the majority of a society withdraws from collective responsibility, the rate of success for any community effort diminishes drastically. Individuals are integral parts of the societal whole. If the parts do not play their role, the whole remains incomplete and society remains incomplete, stagnates, and loses its vitality.
True contribution demands empathy, commitment, and a willingness to act for the common good. Only a few possess the character to help without expecting personal gain. Yet this spirit is what sustains communities, nurtures growth, and preserves values across generations. Reviving this ethos is essential.
Each individual needs to shed selfishness. Nothing can make a meaningful difference if the members of society remain selfish. True progress depends on individuals embracing the spirit of giving, participating willingly, and placing the collective good above personal gain. Until people cultivate a willingness to act without expecting rewards, society will struggle to move forward. Real change begins when each person chooses to be an active, selfless part of the community.
