Will dry state bring salvation?
Friday, July 23, 2010 (12:49:56)

Posted by admin

It gives me no pleasure to criticize anybody on the divergent views expressed on the much talk about “Dry State” but the truth must prevail and there is no denying that the act has miserably failed. However, the administration, law enforcing agency, NMA, NBCC etc are conclusive of the view that prohibition has been partially successful, may be they have said so because of the virtue of their status. In this regard, I, as for one totally disagree with them in toto. It is an open secret that taxi loaded with alcohol and plying on national highway-39 are sometimes seized.

The truck loaded with alcohol and plying in the same route are rarely seized, the reason are best known to the administrators and law enforcing agency. In our society more than 80% Nagas drink. Therefore at this rate even if our government enforces draconian law it will not be successful. For when there is a consumer there is always a route to it.

Indeed a change is not always a must, but if a change is to take place it must be for better and not for the worse. Perhaps when the prohibition act was enforced through the initiative of NBCC many church leaders were optimistic, with the hope that this act would liberate many Nagas from the clutches of alcohol which has dragged them to its bottom rock. On the other hand many public leaders and intellectuals are skeptical on its success, for never in any part of the country or in the history of the world prohibition has been successful. History says that in the 18th century the American Baptist were up on their feet opposing wine and upon which America passed a prohibition law but it was a total failure and during that period of time they brought Christianity to our land, whereby they also advocated prohibition. Perhaps, that stigma of America Baptists still persists in NBCC. Whereas, I personally feel that we cannot judge a person from the point alcoholism because a disarmed person can be much more devastating than an armed person.
Obviously, the act has become a big farce, where upon still drunkard are drunkards, addict are addicts, the inflow of liquor to our state has increased and what is more alarming is that more liquor dens have cropped up in every nock and corner since the declaration of the dry state. The only difference is that the price has doubled/tripled up whereas the availability is much easier with inferior quality than ever before. Apart from this many Nagas who do not drink in their kitchen or in front of their wife do drink in their garage, toilets etc, and those who are allergic to liquor drink fruit juice and their cheeks are as reddish as Kashmiri apples.
Today, the liquor dens are run by persons who are of the opinion that whatever may befall the Nagas, they do not care provided they amass wealth. Wine business has become one of the most flourishing for making fast bucks. Therefore, since we are still on earth, in view of the majority opinion, the government should not ponder upon heaven and hell but immediately lift the ban in order to save its future generation from the hands of the ‘Mafia’ who are no less than millionaires and to me religion is a personal matter which should not be mixed with politics.

And under the present circumstances even all the 60 MLA’s are of pastors, reverends and priest it will not be able to eradicate the menace of liquor. Over and above it is pertinent to note that in Nagaland a candidate, however good he may be or god fearing, can never win an election without liquor because “Election in Nagaland without liquor is no election”.

Nevertheless, the most pathetic situation that has been prevailing in our society today is that money has taken over the reigns of leaderships. And it may not be too long for this “Mafia” to be our leaders and even become heads of our state if we keep on harnessing the dry state. For at this state we Nagas do not honour and elect our leader who posses integrity, intelligence, wisdom and honesty, rather we opt for a person who is wealthy.

It may be also noted that S.C Jamir once stated that he is against dry state but conceded to the demand of NBCC for he did not want NBCC members to die or fast unto death. Further, to my mind, partially lifting or fully lifting does not make any difference, for those who drink will continue drinking. Therefore, the only way out is to create awareness so that abuse of drink can be avoided. In this kind of common concern, differences of opinion are bound to crop up for or against, but both are for the interest of the Nagas.

However, in this regard, it causes me anguish for NBCC the foremost and the pioneer of Christianity in Nagaland, showing scant respect to the wishes of the Naga people and the government at large, which is very disgraceful, as it reflects that their thoughts are best and constructive, whereas others expressed views are destructive.

Apparently, “the need of the hour” is not to discuss merits and demerits for that matter everyone knows it. But the issue is whether it can be successful or not? If not it should be lifted immediately without any prejudice, because by prolonging, it can be more detrimental to our society.

Neivor Rutsa, Kohima village.
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