Embracing Diversity and Inclusivity in Nagaland

Nagaland is a true reflection of India’s cultural diversity with its unique customs, languages, and rich traditions. With 17 officially recognized tribes and multitude of sub-tribes, the people of this state accentuates the beauty of diversity. This combination of cultures is one of the country’s strongest assets, but also poses issues. It is vital in constructing an equitable and successful state  to align with difference and further encourage inclusion.  

Take for instance the Nagaland’s hornbill festival which focuses on promoting cultural tourism and fostering appreciation for different cultures. This event brings together people from around the world. 

On one hand, Nagaland celebrates vast cultural diversity and traditions, however there are serious social issues that are present and currently threatening the fabric of the society. We have reached a point where we need to acknowledge that the people of Nagaland, having all this diversity, should work towards more inclusion and acceptance for a stronger social fabric. I intend through this article to highlight the need of embracing diversity and inclusion in Nagaland for a better and peaceful society.

As one of the strongest assets of Nagaland, cultural diversity enhances our heritage. It also deepens our sense of belonging, for example, is a symbolic language that has rich folklore, including oral poems. This diversity in culture also contributes to our literature.

There are more than sixty languages in Nagaland, each with its own palette of prose and poetry. Celebrated folk songs which tell the origin of the people are an important part of the Naga traditions. The wide variety of tribes and communities promotes different value systems, perspectives, skills and experiences. The state museum, which houses the linguistic and cultural wealth of Nagaland, reflects this creativity and innovation.

The strengths of diversity in Nagaland are many and profound. If we learn to embrace and appreciate our diversity, we can create a more inclusive and fair society.

However, diversity poses challenges of exclusion and marginalization for straddling groups in Nagaland. Geographically, the state is highly tribal, and that has caused tensions and fractures. Some communities, such as women, the aged, and the disabled tend to suffer immensely when it comes to education, employment, and health care.

For example, in Nagaland, it is evident that women are socially excluded from important decisions. The Nagaland Legislative Assembly comprises 60 members and only two of them are Women MLAs.

In Nagaland, Mon district has an alarming low literacy rate which is recorded at 56.99 percent being the lowest in Nagaland versus the state’s average which stands at a paradoxical 80.1 percent. A considerable amount of people in Nagaland are deprived of basic quality education.

As one, we can foster a culture of empathy and understanding in breaking barriers and stereotypes. We can strengthen our state through building a more robust and more resilient foundation. In doing so, we will be able to create an equal society by embracing diversity, and increasing inclusion constructs across all levels of society.

The importance of inclusive education is something which Nagaland is beginning to pay attention to, and the strides made here are positive steps toward building an integrated educational community for the people of Nagaland. 

Disadvantaged groups of the state have been given increased opportunities to access quality education by the Government of Nagaland initiative to set up residential schools for them. An example of this is the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, where students from low family income groups are given free education, so as to decrease the gap between different strata in our society.

The ability to socially include these communities through educational integration is an agent of positive change within our society by fostering greater degree of social integration in our society. Inclusive education will help boost the economy of the state, bringing all cultural and regional practices together for better governance of the state in the future.

Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in Nagaland is an important topic which will require a call to action. People need to empower themselves towards knowledge of the unique cultures, traditions, and histories of the various tribes and communities within Nagaland. In doing so, we should also learn how to examine and suppress our personal biases and prejudices. 

At the community level, we also need to arrange cultural activities and festivals that highlight the richness of Nagaland’s cultures and traditions and create understanding between different ethnic groups. There is also a need to extend assistance to the marginalized groups in health and education. Advocacy towards policy change that incorporates elements of diversity, equity, and inclusion needs to take place in Nagaland.

Schools, colleges, and universities have to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion as principles into their policies and activities at every level.

Investing in development for self and others, enhancing economic prospects, seeking representation, all along with and loving and protecting one’s culture will facilitate building a more peaceful and inclusive society, which is the goal we all seek.

Lastly, encouraging inclusion and acceptance in Nagaland is undeniably important for the construction of an integrated and progressive society. To realize the full power of Nagaland, we need to celebrate our pluralism, embrace the vicious realities of exclusion, and fully tap the power of inclusion. A strong society can only be built with the active participation of people, communities, organizations, and even the state government in which all can hope to achieve great things.

The challenge and the opportunity for Nagaland as a whole is to appreciate its diversity while proactively encouraging inclusion. It is through collaboration that we can build a society that is more accepting of differences and has greater opportunities for all people.

A united Nagaland is achievable through acceptance and inclusion of diversity where every citizen can hope for a better tomorrow.

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 editorial team includes Chubamenla, Asst. Professor, Dept. of English and Rinsit Sareo, Asst. Manager, IT, Media & Communications.

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