By Michael Meiphami Shaiza
Once renowned, illustrious, and resplendent, the Tangkhul society shone brilliantly across educational, sports, economic, political, social, and spiritual realms. Tangkhuls were trailblazers, pioneers, and beacons—inspiring awe and admiration. Alas, in recent decades, a distressing malaise has crept in—celebrating mediocrity, forcing hollow applause, and mocking the once-proud legacy. Tangkhul greatness now languishes, crippled by a debilitating vacuum—political, leadership, and spiritual voids—spanning over 40 years.
The normalization of mediocrity has become a pernicious trend within Tangkhul circles. Instead of striving for excellence, there is a disturbing propensity to celebrate limited achievements, often underpinned by coercive pressures on masses to offer hollow congratulations or applause. This undermines genuine aspirations, fosters complacency, and reduces the erstwhile glorious standards to a mockery. Such a culture not only stifles progress but also engenders a collective mindset averse to challenge, innovation, and true merit. It is a stark departure from the valorous Tangkhul ethos that once propelled the community to pinnacles of success across multifaceted domains.
A critical precipitant of Tangkhul society’s decline is the profound political vacuum. It is an adage well-acknowledged that a people or nation becomes weak socially, economically, educationally, and spiritually when they become weak politically and spiritually—and this truism resonates poignantly within the Tangkhul context. The dearth of visionary, ethical political leaders over the past five decades has led to cascading detrimental effects. Weak political foundations inevitably lead to societal fragility, economic instability, educational deterioration, and spiritual erosion. Without sturdy leadership steering the course, communities drift aimlessly, vulnerable to myriad crises.
Compounding the distress are alarming socio-economic challenges plaguing Tangkhul society. The number of school dropouts is escalating alarmingly—a harbinger of educational distress with long-term repercussions. Concurrently, the scourge of drug addiction has ravaged Tangkhul youth, posing a grave crisis demanding urgent intervention. Substance abuse not only decimates individual potentials but also fractures families and destabilizes communities. Furthermore, sheer poverty has driven distressing numbers of young Tangkhul girls and women into immoral businesses and activities—a heart-wrenching tragedy underscoring systemic failures and humanitarian crises. Such predicaments stem from intertwined factors—economic deprivation, lack of opportunities, inadequate support systems, and crumbling value structures.
Spiritual erosion too has played a corrosive role in Tangkhul society’s decline. When communities lose spiritual moorings—values like integrity, compassion, humility—the resultant moral decay precipitates chaos, conflicts, and disintegration. A society bereft of spiritual-ethical anchors becomes susceptible to predatory forces, internal fissures, and loss of collective identity. The interplay of weakened politics, faltering education, economic stresses, substance abuse, immoral exploitations, and spiritual voids creates a vicious cycle—wherein challenges compound, resilience wanes, and downward spirals accelerate.
Yet, amidst darkness lies hope. Enlightened introspection and retrospection hold keys to revival. Tangkhuls must engage deeply in soul-searching exercises—diagnosing ills candidly, acknowledging harsh truths, and charting corrective pathways. Remedies necessitate multifaceted strategies. Firstly, fostering visionary leadership rooted in integrity, humility, and inclusiveness is imperative. Empowering capable, ethical leaders can steer Tangkhul society toward renewal.
Secondly, rebuilding robust political structures—participatory, accountable, transparent—is vital for laying strong foundations. Thirdly, prioritizing quality education—access, excellence, skill development—can empower generations. Economic empowerment via entrepreneurship, livelihood opportunities, and resilient economic ecosystems can mitigate poverty-driven traumas. Spiritual revival—rekindling values like compassion, morality, integrity—can reinstate ethical moorings.
Additionally, urgent attention must address youth-centric crises—mentoring youth, curbing dropouts, combating substance abuse through awareness and rehabilitation, and creating safe, empowering spaces. Communities must unite—collaborative action, solidarity, mutual support—to uplift vulnerable segments. Educators need to nurture minds excellently; parents must instill wholesome values. Leaders ought to lead courageously yet humbly. Most crucially, Tangkhuls must categorically reject the insidious culture of mediocrity—instead celebrating excellence, striving higher, dreaming big.
In conclusion, noble Tangkhuls, awaken from slumber! Introspect deeply, act decisively. Reject mediocrity; embrace greatness. Rebuild, revive, thrive. Let Tangkhul glory—once again shine radiantly, resplendently, magnificently—across all spheres. The path ahead demands courage, unity, wisdom, and unwavering commitment. But with collective resolve, Tangkhul society can transcend current travails, reclaim lost luster, and forge a luminous future—where dignity, excellence, and harmony prevail.— Jesus Saves!!! Amen.
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Michael Meiphami Shaiza is the President of Ukhrul-based NGO Ecological Rehabilitators’ Association (ERA).
(Views expressed are writers’ own and do not, in whatsoever manner, reflect that of Ukhrul Now)
