The Tangkhul Naga society today faces a quiet but troubling challenge. The ability to translate individual aspirations into collective priorities appears to be weakening. While the community continues to confront political and social issues, certain attitudes within society increasingly reflect misplaced priorities.
One visible example is the growing emphasis on events and celebrations across the calendar year, particularly within civil society and student circles. Considerable funds are often raised to host these programmes. In several metropolitan cities, student bodies have organised one-day events costing Rs. 10–20 lakh. Such programmes are full of activity, yet their long-term value remains questionable.
The contrast becomes sharper when compared with the limited investment made in preparing students for competitive examinations such as the Civil Services. At a time when many communities are focusing their resources on education, professional advancement and institutional representation, the Tangkhul Naga society appears to be drifting from these long-term priorities.
Also Read | O Mothers and Sisters in Ukhrul, We Hear You
This raises a difficult question that the community must confront honestly: why have Tangkhuls struggled to secure representation in the Civil Services in recent years? Various theories attribute this to political factors that may have worked against the Tangkhul Nagas over the years. Yet such explanations become inconsequential when the community itself is not adequately prepared to meet the challenge.
The last candidate from the Tangkhul Naga community of Manipur to clear the Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination did so in 2014. More than a decade later, this absence should prompt serious reflection within the community.
The culture of self-importance is also visible in subtle ways. In some instances, vehicles display titles such as “Pastor” or “Rev” prominently on number plates. Religious leadership commands respect in Tangkhul Naga society. However, the public display of such titles reflects a wider tendency to emphasise status and recognition.
In India, vehicle number plates are strictly regulated under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. The display of titles or designations on number plates is not permitted. When similar practices appear in other spaces, they point to a growing culture that values titles and visibility over substance.
The challenge before Tangkhul Naga society today is not merely about moderating events or public displays of status – too much of bling and no substance. It is about reassessing priorities and investing in the intellectual and professional future of its younger generation. Without such reflection, the risk is clear: a generation may be left behind not because opportunities were absent, but because the community failed to prepare for them.
Also Read | Inclusion Must Move from Classrooms to Leadership