Kohima: Corruption, nepotism, and favoritism have infected Nagaland for years. Retired IAS officer Lithrongla G. Chishi warned that this rot persists because officials do not fear the Comptroller and Auditor General. Silence acts as a shield for poor governance.
The XXIII Morung Lecture, hosted at Hotel Japfu in Kohima on August 19, centered on the theme of Truth and Integrity in Naga Public Life. Chishi told the audience that integrity is an internal quality, not something to outsource. She challenged young people to start speaking up and research scholars to produce data with actual integrity to drive development.
IAAS official Kahoto J. Yepthomi echoed these concerns. He noted that while Nagas excel at drafting detailed project reports, the actual execution remains pathetic. He argued that collective silence normalizes systemic failure. As Yepthomi put it, "We need people with vision at all levels."
Akum Longchari, publisher of The Morung Express, warned that society currently values stability over truth. He noted that the powerful often define truth to suit their needs. He urged the public to ground themselves in facts rather than social media theories. A healthy society must possess the capacity to self-correct. It requires citizens to shed light on reality, even when that light is uncomfortable.
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