Taking the opportunity in the present COVID-19 pandemic, Working Committee(WC) of NNPGs has said the virus respected no race or color and appealed on all Nagas to first , act responsibly as citizens of the world.
Media cell of WC/NNPGs said whether political ideologies and philosophies leaned towards democracy, socialism, communism, fascism, monarchy or dictatorship and be it kings, presidents, prime ministers, generals, scientists or celebrities down to a daily wager; a piece of cloth in the form of a mask and a hand sanitizer gave more security and assurance of survival than all these political ideologies put together. WC said this was what the current pandemic has taught the world.
WC also said irrespective of whichever religion, the enemy in our midst was coronavirus. It also maintained that to Nagas and all believers in Jesus Christ, He is more relevant than our lives as He is a miracle worker and healer who is more relevant today than ever. WC also said ‘Life, Breath and Soul’ are creativity of God and not of human as these cannot be made by advanced technologies.
WC urged upon Nagas the need to defeat the rampaging virus through a two-pronged strategy- first, in the spiritual realm through unceasing prayer at home for families, for people and the land. Reiterating that Jesus Christ is the healer of diseases and who controls pestilences/pandemics and conquers death; WC said Nagas under the theme ‘Nagaland For Christ’ must unashamedly reflect on their faith and secondly, to adhere to preventive measures advised by medical authorities. WC reiterated that obedience to government order during the pandemic was paramount and people cannot blame Heaven if they don’t observe rules on earth.
WC also appealed to all that it was not time to accuse or point fingers at the government or authorities “ to score political points” but to appreciate the government of the day, the medical department, medical teams, tribe organisations, church association for their stupendous efforts.
While acknowledging that there could be plenty of unprecedented mistakes when so much had to be taken care of against the invisible lurking virus, people need to exhibit patience and understanding to allow the government to fight the pandemic with all available resources in a transparent manner and with people’s support.
WC said pandemic and death were staring at Naga people and responsible NGOs and tribal bodies should not criminalise and tie up the government in knots as inadequacies have to be met with joint effort.
WC said it felt that bickering will harm general interest and opined that in the post-pandemic stage, funds received and their utilisation should be made available on public domain and misappropriation by anyone from CM down to the clerk be made accountable.