On the occasion of National Unity Day on 31st October 2020, the Department of Political Science, Tetso College organized an Intra College Short Essay Writing Competition. The virtual celebration of the event was marked by presentations by the winners of the competition, namely Mr. Kezhaviko Lhoushe (1st), Mr. Mosa Sangtam (2nd) and Ms. Abeni Yanthan (3rd). Two consolation prizes went to Ms. Keneisedeu Mezhu and Ms. Keren Kent. The essays will be featured in the coming weeks in the DoT column. Here are the first two essays.
Unity and Integration of India
Kezhavikho Lhoushe, 1st Semester, Dept of Political Science
(Winner of the Short Essay Competition)
India is not the ‘great’ country that many of us wish it was. It may have dawned on us that our country suffers from numerous problems. From a scarcity of education to miserably poor sanitation, or from its extreme safe-ness for religious dogma and extremism toits unsafe-ness for women across our country, India certainly has her hands full. We are plagued with issues that degrade society. We witness them, multiple times, in hideous forms.
India is arguably not the greatest country.
But, we are a country, of great friendship; of a brotherhood between a Muslim and Hindu, of a Christian family celebrating Christmas with their Buddhist neighbors; walking hand in hand as we exist under the same Bharat Mata. India is by no means the perfect country, but we’ve always strived for a national spirit of ‘togetherness’. In fact, we’ve done that better than any country in the world. Have you heard of the Sikh men in Punjab who donate food to weary Muslims and Jains during quarantine? Have you heard of the Gujarati who adopted 472 orphaned girls? Or have you read of the Naga woman who fights racism in Punjab by providing food to migrant workers? Ours is not an ideal nation, but a nation that builds itself, hand in hand. States, provinces, families stitched together into this Indian fabric, by history and democracy; we the people, carry the very same principles of tolerance as first etched by the founding fathers of India.
We are citizens of a country riddled with great pains and suffering and it is upon us to decide, what we do to improve it, together.
The question, truly, is not if you’re an Indian. The only real question is, how will you prove that you’re an Indian?
National Unity: Reflections and Perspectives
Mosa Sangtam, 5th Semester, Dept. of Political Science
(Runners Up of the Short Essay Competition)
The concept of National Unity is vaguely understood. National unity is not something that is applicable or comes into force only when there is a need or situation arises owing to internal/external conflicts or whatsoever. For instance, in recent times, our country faced external conflict with neighboring countries, in such circumstances we were called for national unity in the form of collective efforts in boycotting Chinese products, banning digital apps and so on. However, the greater question still remains unresolved. India as a nation comprises of many small minority groups having their own distinct identity, cultural tradition, race, language, religion, and what-not. So, the concept of National Unity becomes a very significant concept in a country like India. The notion of National Unity must not be construed only in the spectrum of electoral politics; as formation of a Government in the Centre through coalition form is merely one part of it. Every leader; not necessarily from ruling or opposition parties must leave behind their ideologies when it comes to national integrity, harmony and peace among its citizens. Unfortunately it has been seen that one community is used to spread hatred against another to gain petty political power by political vultures. We have to understand that Political elites play a pivotal role in bringing unity and them not being used as a scapegoat. It would be wrong and one sided to solely hold Political Masters responsible for disunity and disharmony.
When we speak highly of National Unity and integrity there might be instances of discrimination on the basis of ethnic identity and caste. Someone must have been raped in the name of caste. National unity cannot be achieved in its true sense when people within the country are ‘broken’ and living a ‘fractured’ socio-political life. India takes pride in its so-called ‘unity in diversity’ however the ‘unity’ that exists is, I believe, not a natural unity but a manufactured unity. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the founder of Modern India and the Architect of its Constitution believed in ‘Universal Brotherhood’ the values of which he inculcated in the ‘Law of the Land’. However, it is WE who somewhere have failed to give justice to the ideals enshrined in our Constitution as we could not free ourselves from the notion of caste, creed, religion, gender and other socio-political binaries that became grave threat to the Unity of this glorious nation. Man MUST learn to live like a man and treat his fellow countrymen like human beings, and then only national unity will be cherished and thereby will surely flourish.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Dr. Pfokrelo Kapesa, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
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