The recent news item appeared in a local daily where a non-Naga was selected for EAC (Extra Assistant Commissioner) through NPSC caught my attention. This news is not something strange as it is bound to happen due to our system of accepting things without considering future consequences.
Though this is the first time of controversy in such a post, we know there were cases of debate which went (even) upto High Court in regard to adoption and quota for technical studies. When such cases surface we can conclude that sympathy can beget bad consequences. In short unreasoned sympathy blinds and can give birth to generations of regret.
With no intention to hurt any adopted son or daughter, this short sharing should make us wiser. I have a friend from Geneva, Switzerland. When some of his cousins came to India in 1990, I met them at Delhi. There were three couples in the group who had no children of their own and adopted two children from Kashmir and one from Africa. These three adopted children were fluently speaking French but their looks were totally different. What touched me most in this meeting was, their parents decided to show these adopted children their native village and country and was thus in India and Africa.
This is something different! The closeness, love, affection, care shown on one another among themselves do not distinguish them adopted but the reality to show who is who, was really honest. I can say these parents were honest parents and true Christian for they have not hidden the truth and have shown the adopted children what they are, where and how should they proceed, infact even untold lesson of “not to infringe”, “not to take undue advantage” etc. became known. There is no superficial pretence, they were really and truly natural. I learnt something very important from them and today an opportunity to recall and share occurred.
Nagas are, inspite of our many drawbacks, kind and considerate. I don’t know how outsiders see us but in the corner of our hearts we sympathize others though we don’t show and usually try to hide. One good drawback we have is- ‘we love and sympathize in-laws more than usual’.
This love and sympathy on in-laws (son-in-law, brother-in-law) is not bad nor wrong but Nagas must be seriously careful. We are no more in the 50’s or 60’s when the whole town know each other by name. We are no more in the era when Nagas fear education (especially parents then) and when no man lack work.
I am not against cross marriages, instead cross tribal matrimony is one main channel for Naga unification and brotherhood but honest seriousness is needed when a non-Naga gene is going to be always at the dinning table for generations.
As the old saying goes, “honesty is the best policy”, let us also remind ourselves to call “a spade a spade”.