The thought that one person or a group of people need to lead will only allow the system to deteriorate further and further. Because each act needs to be brought down the moment it occurs. Online platforms can go as far as perhaps influencing public opinion. But we should take up any form of illegal act or injustice on the ground with even greater fervour.

No individual or organization should be allowed to act above the law. If it happens then it must be taken up with the authorities concerned. As discussed earlier it can go right up to the Supreme Court if required. But the steps need to be taken by the people who are around to witness such acts of injustice or lawlessness.

The notice sent to the VC, I would certainly say is not only premature but immature too. But MSU has highlighted that certain hiring rules set by the VC of Mizoram University are unfair; we need to wait and see whether the allegations are true or not. MSU has alleged that hiring rules have been tweaked to add extra conditions or qualifications beyond what UGC has set as norms. I am not familiar with the actual UGC norms and cannot comment until the facts are established. There is also an allegation that the VC has been actively hiring people from his immediate circle of connections; to be precise from BHU. There shouldn’t be any problems with quality candidates coming from all over the country even from BHU but when the ones selected all belong to a university that the VC himself has very close connections with it can send a wrong message. The VC has not come out and justified his stand yet. Let’s hope he addresses the public and clears all doubts.

My take is when the people of Mizoram get economic justice then all other forms of justice will begin to take place. The government needs to provide the state with an economic policy that will allow the people the right to live in dignity. An economically empowered public has greater confidence in itself and will be more vocal in its criticism of the government. This will improve governance and bring about a greater level of accountability in the system. Let’s not mistake economically empowered with wealth that has been wrongly acquired and accumulated by certain sections of the population through the grant-in-aid system from the Center. That is just glorified acts of begging it gives no sense of achievement or self worth. This grant-in-aid system should be utilized wisely and not used as personal allowance. The empowerment I am speaking about is based on a self-reliant and self-dependent system that is dignified.

I strongly object to any policies that are framed to promote a mindset that makes one think like a second class citizen. This is the most damaging feature dealt out by the Indian constitution on the thought processes of certain sections of the Indian public. As Robert has pointed out peace and development are meant to go hand in hand. I ask why hasn’t that happened. One reason I believe is because the Mizo public have now accepted their status as a schedule tribe category of people that need to be supported in every which way we look. A policy of getting down on our knees and accepting whatever falls off the table as our rightful place. The Mizo public must learn to stand up and create a self reliant state. A people that does not respect itself can in no way respect the sentiments of another people.

The “scientific temperament” that is talked about has not been applied to the government policies and planning for the benefit of the state. The absence of the private sector and failure of government schemes/policies meant to generate employment has resulted in overstaffing the government workforce. The government just as it receives grants from the Center for free is more than happy to hand out the money in the same spirit of not expecting returns in the form successful project/scheme implementations. The Mizo public too is least bothered about the end objectives of such projects and schemes and generously spends the money on personal needs till it lasts.

The Mizo public has not driven the parties in power to proactively think of schemes/policies that drives the true growth of the state. As a consequence a genuine sense of ownership and accountability does not find its place within the system. I had seen a write up in one of the comments of a news article on this website that suggested bold measures for development. That was brilliant. The individual had suggested that certain essential items like eggs, tomatoes, potatoes etc. should be banned from being imported from neighbouring states. The example of eggs was taken. It was suggested that a ban on an essential item would create the market and incentives for interested poultry farmers in the state to take up businesses. We could keep living with the grants and favours doled out by the Center and continue to lose our dignity and self reliance or take the initiative to make the bold changes required. One learns the true value of money once one starts to earn it through one’s own means. Once one learns to respect oneself the same respect is upheld for a fellow human being. Until then no amount of love or wisdom in imparting the truth to the other than the use of legal means to punish and deter each act of wrong doing will change the ailing system.