Issuing his first statement after being appointed as NPCC president, S. Supongmeren Jamir has issued an appeal to all those who want a change to join the party and achieve the goal of creating a state where everyone will be proud to pass on to the future generation.
In a message, S Supongmeren Jamir said each individual’s knowledge, suggestions and support, both physically and mentally, were vital for Congress to achieve the goal and urged all to work together and strive to become that drop of water that made a mighty ocean.
The NPCC president also noted that in the 60th year of statehood, Nagas have advanced tremendously in all sectors and which was also indeed a proud achievement for all. However, he lamented that, it was absolutely heartbreaking to see Nagaland achieve such advancements while completely destroying and dishonouring the values of truth, dignity and oneness.
He said Nagaland had once proudly stood firm on principles and values passed down by forefathers, but was now deep-rooted in materialistic nature in its political system that has led to corruption and nepotism. He said these two elements that had taken over the value system were like a mighty dam slowly killing all the organisms living in the water as it disrupted their natural habitat.
Supongmeren also mentioned that this had also given rise to a political system where the biggest mockery was made in the name of oaths taken under the Constitution of India to serve the people, while those falling under this category included a special few.
The NPCC president also described this menace as a stumbling block for better governance and which was exhibited in the recently-concluded session of 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He said it best exemplified how deep-rooted materialism was in the political system
He said people of the state needed to take a step back and think whether the path they were leading was for short-term or long-term development. He asked whether momentary satisfaction was required at this juncture or whether they were going to be the cause of their own downfall by choosing the easy way out.
Supongmeren called for reframing perspective and “remind ourselves that it is not only the responsibility of our present Hon’ble lawmakers to bring change but us.”
He also said the youth of today who held the vision and ambition, entrepreneurs were driving the State’s economic development. He said people at the grassroots were the backbone of Naga society and NGOs and civil society groups spearhead change at the grassroots. He also opined that, veteran leaders, former parliamentarians, former bureaucrats and retired government officers, having knowledge and experience with the system should be leading the call to collaborative action to propel this systemic change and it was time for everyone to come together.
The NPCC president said it was high time for Naga Leaders to be able to gather in one space and have the courage to voice out and accept positive criticism, setting aside all egos, and take a firm decision to work for the betterment of the State and not for any specific party, community or individual.
