Enough has been appearing in our local papers about the gloomy situation of corruption and violence as well as the pathetic socio economic condition: increasing rate of AIDS and of unemployment in Nagaland. We badly need Hope. The late Pope Francis who died just a month ago (the month’s mind occurs today (21st May), was an apostle of Hope .His autobiography is titled “Hope” . The Introduction is captioned “ All is born to Bloom”. There he says : “ The book of my life is a journey of hope”.
1.The Situation : Corruption
We cannot close our eyes to what is happening in our state: Already in 2023 seeing the prevailing situation a perceptive observer was tempted to ask : “Has God abandoned us ?” Nagaland Post 28th Feb 2023. Another : “In today’s world , we seem to be completely subdued and driven by insatiable greed for money and power and have all but lost sight of the collective dream and aspirations”, Nagaland Post 30th July 2024.
An editorial in Morung Express quoting a minster says :“Honesty and integrity are priceless values of the Nagas. But the disconnection between rhetoric and practice has grown so wide that it is difficult to locate these “priceless” values beyond speeches and ceremonial declarations . One of the clearest contradictions lies in the normalization of corruption. It is widely acknowledged – across civil society ,religious platforms, and political forums – that corruption pervades every layer of Nagaland , from elections to everyday governance”, Morung Express , 8th April 2025. The problem of Corruption “was deep-rooted and starts from grassroots level”, reports a candidate in the 2023 elections. The demand for money by voters was impossible to meet. “People would come in groups or in the name of clans and ask for money ranging from 3-5 lakhs!”
An editorial In Eastern Mirror: “Non-believers ridicule ‘Nagaland for Christ’, as ‘Nagaland for Corruption’, befitting its reputation for vice”, 11th April 2025.
2.Unemployment & Aids
The editorial of Nagaland Post 29th April, 2025 speaks of Nagaland being on the precipice of socio-economic crisis as unemployment rates continue to soar . Further The deputy director of STI and Nagaland State Aids control Society , Dr.Zaiwang has reported that 960 individuals from 3 districts of Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland tested HIV positive in 11months from April 2023 and March 2024 .Dr. Zaiwantg said Nagaland’s HIV prevalence rate at 1.61% was high, making it the second highest HIV prevalence state in the country, while Mizoram topped the list of states with the highest prevalence(2.34%).
3.The appeal l of NBCC
In this unhappy situation NBCC on 23rd April 2025 has called for moral renewal issuing a public appeal for a renewed emphasis on justice and righteousness in the state ,citing ongoing social and moral challenges “Despite its majority Christian population, Nagaland continues to face widespread issues including killings , rape, extortion, nepotism, and community divisions,” Morung Express 24th April 2025.
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4.Call for Active Hope
In the midst of this lamentable situation there comes a heart-felt call for strengthening the hope that has been a guiding light for the Nag people through years of struggle , conflict and uncertainty. Indeed “Hope is not just wishful thinking; it is active faith. For the Naga community and all who seek a bright future , hope must remain alive , not as a last resort , but the very foundation of their struggle and vision…. The fight may be long, but every great change starts with those who refuse to give up”.Edit Morung 1st May 2025.
5.Pope Francis : Apostle of Hope
He says hope is above all the virtue of movement and the engine of change: It is the tension that brings together memory and utopia to truly build the dreams that await us. And if a dream fades, we need to go back and dream it again, in new forms , drawing with hope from the embers of memory!
Hope is a tangible experience. Scientists believe that this characteristic of the of the human species is one of the most powerful survival mechanism existing in nature, for example in reacting to illness. It is far more than an illusion and is far more than simple trust . It is in fact a medicine and a cure! And for the Christian “Hope never disappoints,” (Rom.5:1). As Martin Luther King reportedly said, “Even if I knew the world would end tomorrow, I would plant a tree today”!
6.Pandora’s Box & Hope
According to the ancient Greek myth, Pandora, the first mortal woman to appear on the earth, opens a box and unleashes countless misfortunes for the history of the world. Once all the evils have flown out of the box, a tiny gift seems to win over all the evil that floods out. Pandora catches sight of the last .The Greeks call it ‘Elpis’ which means “Hope”. That ancient myth testifies that hope – that which is left over – is supremely important for humanity. Hope is not a way of making things easy, nor another way of saying “all is fine”, instead it is the force for living in the present with courage and a capacity to look toward the future.
7.Humor & Laughter
Connected to hope and flowing from it is humor and smiles. They are the leaven of existence and a means of facing difficulties, even major worries with fortitude. Humor is an affirmation of dignity , declaration of man’s superiority over all that befalls him. Sadness and sorrow are part of life, but it is important to avoid wallowing in melancholy at all costs , not to let it embitter the heart. There are some people who always look as if they have just returned from a funeral..” A constant mournful Lenten face is not compatible with Christina life. “A Christian who is sad, in the end , is always a sad Christian”!
Jokes and amusing stories make it easier to bear problems. No wonder ancient kings always had ‘Court Jesters’. Today we have the cartoons to take his place. People who make others laugh and don’t’ min d being laughed at in turn, are truly a blessing for any group. Some newspapers have someone with jokes or jocular comments on events or prevalent situations.
Generally a smile breaks down barriers, creates connections. When laughter breaks out it is easily transformed into a kind of social glue. Where there is laughter there is generally a growing spirit of peace and a healthy estimation of the other person. Something of this was seen some years ago when matches were organized between underground organizations in Kohima.
8.An invitational to ‘dream with open eyes’.
Let us then go back to our dreams as Pope Francis suggests : “dream it again, in new forms , drawing with hope from the embers of memory”. Let us dream with open eyes “of a free , united , prosperous and harmonious future” and work actively with trust in God .Let us encourage every act ,every group, every enterprise that builds, promotes and supports progress, development and peace. The more we focus on anything the more it manifests itself. Someone in the USA once asked Mother Theresa to join the anti-abortion movement. She said : sorry I don’t join any ‘anti movement’. I will join the Pro-life movement.
M.P. Thomas sdb
