UZO to Zou Tribe Council: What is Wrong With Us?
Part Two
Part Two
Khai Minthang
(This article was taken from my writings at the Zou Workshop Forum dated Aug. 19, 2009)
Dear friends,
1. We have shared a good many ideas from our current UZO and ZTC issue. I am not against the new name, but I am so skeptical about (rather against) the name we are going to leave. Because, we have left the "Zomi" and the word or term was taken right away. How many organs or assns. have come up with the word "Zomi" now? Leave "United" and it will be taken again. Leave "Organization" and it will be taken again. Any existing name cannot be taken by someone. Leave/Throw the UZO, someone is gonna take it and make it alive, and you will behold without being able to do anything with the existing name anymore. If someone uses UZO you cannot take it back. Any registered and existing name (trade name, brand name, org. name, etc.) cannot be taken/used by anyone.
2. There is no way of comparison between "(Name of the tribe) National Council" and the "United Zomi/Zou Organization." "National Council" is in its term unacceptable because of its very word "National." India is a nation, but Tribal names cannot be followed by "National" because one tribe is not a nation. That's understood. And, I think that would probably be the reason they removed "National" and changed it to "Tribe." Coming to our part of the issue, we have never used the inappropriate term/word "Nation" or "National" in our name. There is nothing inconsistant or odd in adding "United" and "Organization" to our name. But, it rather defines who we are and what we stand for. It is an organization that aims at streaching our arms and our optimum potential for the welfare of the people within the organization/Tribe.
3. "ZOU" is the name of the Tribe recognized by Government of India, not the word or not with the word prefixing (United) or suffixing (organization)it. And, I don't see any untoward circumstances on the part of our development project that cannot be undertaken because of the words prefixing and suffixing the name of our tribe. We have been blessed by the Almighty Father through the Government, NGO, etc. with our UZO, and I have no idea if some of our blessings have been forfieted, diverted or upheld because we don't use "Tribe Council" (Correct me if I am wrong). If "Tribe Council" is the key to civilization or the key to opening the concealed blessings of the UZO, why don't you tell us? But, for us, with the current state of chaos, it will be the key to opening the Pandora Box of evil.
4. "There are some 573 communities recognized by the government as Scheduled Tribes and therefore eligible to receive special benefits and to compete for reserved seats in legislatures and schools." (1) There are 29 recognized tribes in Manipur under the constitution of India. The officially recognized tribes are - Aimol, Anal, Angami, Chiru, Chothe, Gangte, Hmar, Kabui, Kacha Naga, Koirao/Thangal, Koireng, Kom, Lamkang, Lushai (Mizo), Maram, Maring, Mao, Monsang, Moyon, Paite, Purum, Ralte, Salte, Sema, Simte, Tangkhul, Thadou, Vaiphei and Zou. (2) But, I don't see anything that says "Tribe Council" or whatever to receive "special benefits" from the Government. It's the "Zou" that receives "special benefits" not the terms or names prefixing or suffixing it.
5. The law or constitution is more concerned about the language, culture, practices, custom, traditions, history, folklores, etc. of the people, not the words or phrase that comes before or after the name of the tribe. What, according to the law and constitution (as our friends mentioned), is the realism (realistic aspect) of being under "Tribe/Tribal Council" against "United Zomi/Zou Organization?" I don't think taking or accepting "Zou Tribe Council" will give us "Changkanna/civilization" as our friends have suggested. There are alot of tribes among the 573 approx. tribes who are "Changkang" without prefixing or suffixing "Tribe Council" and this term is not the term that makes the difference. We can also be "Changkang" with our UZO if we change our policies, programs, visions, etc. but not necessarily our name.
6. It is very sad to note that our leaders are trying to redefine us, rather then redifining our policies, programs, visions, etc. for a change to take place. I don't see the need to redifine our fundamental foundations that defines us. Don't change our name, but change our heading, policies, programs, visions, etc. Listen to the voice of the people you represented. Come back to the foundation, give honor to the founding fathers who have given thier optimum potential and selfless secrifices to take us to this height, and DON'T CHANGE THE LANDMARK!!!
7. Look out the horizon and see beyond your next meal. We all are writing/making history, and history will judge our deeds accordingly. What you and I do here will be our history 100 years from now. It will be a document and source for their thesis, dissertations and research papers of the next generation Zou scholars and researchers. You might not be aware of your conscience and your sound judgement, but our scholars and researchers of the next generation will weight and judge what you use as the base-line of measurement and judgement now.
I will write (If I could have time) some of my thoughts on how the UZO could be more people-focused, more pragmatic and more hopeful than the status quo..... So, help me God!
Regards,
Moderator
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1. http://countrystudies.us/india/70.htm
2. http://www.manipuronline.com/Features/May2002/tribalpractice05_1.htm
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