(Calculated risk: A powerful tool for social reform) - Sam Zou
Life is full of risk. Dare or dare-not, one has to take risk every now and then if he has to survive, especially at this point of competitive time. J. Nehru once said, “Success often comes to those who dare; but seldom goes to timid who fears failure. Successful people can best tell us how important it is to take risk, without which they could never succeed. While in Shillong I remember having a deadly debate with one of my senior who has vast experience. Though experience, he never have the guts to take any sort of risks. I was rather too eager to take risks of any form, provided it is for a good cause. He always talked about the negative aspects of a thing, ignoring the sweetness of the possible outcome.
As one can assume, the Zou social link in Shillong at those times (2001-2005) was so to say very weak, thanks to denominational differences. With ZSP(S)’s limited function, there was always a sense of insecurity for any untoward incident, in the minds of especially those who were with their families. ZSP(S) was whatsoever not in a position to tackle the situation. The ever lacking of fund/cash made the matter worse. The hue and cry of the need for a small welfare organization was visible in the eyes of every elder, which would help them at any misfortune. It was rather a tough call. Partly, because of a possible dyarchy system (with the already denominational division) and political enigma. With the passing of time, the need was more and more severe. The scenario was best suited for the birth of a small philanthropic union to which the Zou’s in Shillong can rely at large. No one was willing to take the most needed initiative.
With a certain amount of resistance, I decided to take the plunge (calculated risks) with the support from the majority elders. Hurray!! It works. Soon, beyond expectations, the entire community began to realize the essence of such a union and everybody showed their willingness to be part of it. People came together on the stipulated day and with great enthusiasm, share their views; tears rolled down as if they were meeting after a long gap and at last, unanimously decided to form a union by the name Zou Welfare Association, Shillong, which started functioning in full swing right from its inception. Within a short time, it gained more and more momentum and came to the rescue of Shillong Zous.
I was shocked to learn that the Delhi Zous too have an uneasy linkage for the past few years. The people whom I, once admired most, far from Shillong, I moaned. As far as my knowledge goes, the prevailing Delhi Zou society is due to the inability from the leader’s part to calculate and take the risks involved which I think was the immediate step.
The need for a welfare body (other than ZSP) in places like Delhi and Shillong is hard to ignore. I don’t know how many will agree with me when I relates the limitations of ZSP. I’m not underestimating ZSP but trying to find a way in which the whole community can leap forward with the right spirit. It is always desirous that ZSP be confined only to their career related task and sangnaupang’s welfare, nothing more.
Even though I am still stranger in Delhi, without proper knowledge of the ground reality, I find no reason why ZOD or the like can’t play a good role for the community. I was the more surprised when I realize that the uneasy linkage (as I put it) was due to only one or two people at the front of the body(ZOD), who were more enthusiastic to their own benefits than do something for the community. We are concern with the welfare of the entire Delhi Zou population and hence individual credibility should not be tolerated at any cost. I urge our present leaders to think high and not to entrust the community to someone who is more concerned with his wellbeing. It is high time that we learn lesson from past mistakes and strive for excellence.
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