By The Editor
Leaders are people with character and vision, and capable of inspiring others to forge ahead by their own examples. They are not simply interested in what is happening now but more interested in what will happen next. Their interests and aims do not end on the horizon but far beyond it. Efficient leaders plan much well in advance and avoid procrastination. They are willing to pay a price because they are motivated more by the prospect of success than by fear of failure. Good leaders are good listeners and ready to share joys as well as sorrows. Nobody trusts a leader who most of the time appears grim and seldom laughs. Leaders who share constructive jokes with colleagues and others are appreciated and hence gain confidence. Anyone who goes on preaching and lecturing to others, no matter how excellent they may be, but hesitate to practice, are not leaders at all. Real leaders are those who lead from the front by action with diligence and sincerity. They also learn by listening to others and share honours and glory with their colleagues. They do not brush aside complaints against them from any quarters. Donald H. Mc Gannon said, “Leadership is action, not position”.
There is much discussion now-a-days on the environment and its effects on human lives. Rivers and streams are being polluted by whimsical and careless attitudes of residents. Umsohlang stream (Wah Umsohlang) at Mawlai Kynton Massar was very clean and full of fish in earlier years and attracted fishermen from far and near. Due to expansion of the area, residential houses have increased and the stream has been greatly polluted because of human negligence. On May 7, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma visited the place along with local MDC Teiborlang Pathaw and did not hesitate to jump into action by using a boat in cleaning the dirt and rubbish from the stream which, for all practical purposes, has turned into a glorified drain. Sangma then handed a sanction order for Rs 2.5 lakh to Bio-diversity Management Committee of Mawlai Kynton Massar. Speaking at a programme held at a community hall, he assured the dorbar shnong that the government will extend necessary support and will initiate the pilot project for environmental improvement. Substantial amount of money is also earmarked under natural resources for management of better surroundings. Public of Mawlai Kynton Massar have shown the way by joining hands with the chief minister and local MDC in cleaning dirt and garbage accumulated all along the stream followed by constant vigilance.
Within a period of two weeks, Umsohlang stream became clear and clean and now attracts a number of fishes swarming its length and breadth. Nature too, in the form of heavy rainfall during these last few days, contributed to its success. This clearly shows that leaders who take prompt action and do not put off until later on pays rich dividends. We should clearly learn who the true leaders are and then follow their examples without procrastination.