Morning muse 4: Life is not about Winning or Losing …... (Relationship)

A young army officer reported to his post in Nagaland. It was a small post manned by 80 personnel atop a hilltop. Surrounded by a number of villages all around, his task was to carry out counter-insurgency operations to maintain peace and stability. The post was located near the Indo-Myanmar border and insurgents frequently moved from this area to carry out their strikes. He went around the villages and got a fair idea of the situation. He felt that there could be additional ways to resolve the conflict other than through military operations, as the problem appeared more psychological due to their state of mind. The people did not connect with them, avoided them and felt alienated and some actions had to be taken to win them over and gain their trust and faith in them.

The next day he suspended military operations for some time. As per the custom, the post commander was supposed to address the people on Sunday in one of the churches. The official language of Nagaland is Nagamese and this is understood by most of the tribes of Nagaland. However, each tribe had its own dialect which is understood only by the particular tribe or clan of the area. One of the dialects spoken here - konyak is an extremely difficult language which has no alphabets or script. He worked hard to learn the language.

After a month on a sunday morning decided to address the villagers. The church service usually began with formal introductions of the guests by the pastor, hymn singing with breaks of English Songs sung by young boys and girls ranging from Abba to Carpenters, etc. The prayers in between is recited by all in loud resonating voices, with thumping of the feet and beating of drums. This creates a devout and religious environment and people swayed by emotions break into a joyful dance.

The officer was called to address the people by the pastor. He came to the podium and requested the translator to sit down. He spoke in Konyak fluently: “Kuchampa Lainolim, Ku nimoi khajakyang, gala ku base ….” and, thus, the speech went on for 30 minutes. The complete crowd burst into a loud applause as was able to reach out to all and there were giggles, laughter and awe. The Ang (head man) came to the podium and requested the Pastor to move aside. He told the people to be quiet and requested the post commander to once again address the people. The post commander gave the same message to the people who now listened with rapt attention. After the speech was over, the Ang said, “Jesus Krista at last has heard our prayers, and sent someone who understands our feelings, emotions and who cares for us. It took him so many years to send this person. Let us all pray for him.”

All people were praying for them at the top of their voices, with drums rolling and it was a spectacle to behold. This was one of the turning points when not only he, but all his soldiers were transfixed and transformed.

The next three years were the best period of their life. The post did not fire a single round or hurt anyone and both sides did not suffer any losses. A large number of insurgents surrendered and peace delegation moved through the post for dialogue with the government.

In fact, love transforms even deep-rooted conflicts …. there is nothing to win or lose in life. Going beyond duty, the enjoyment, suffering, winning or losing, is a path one must choose at some point of life, which calls for Introspection.

Let us make an endeavour to transform this universe as a great happy place to Live !!!!!!