Dimapur, August 25 : The president of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) K Therie on Wednesday appealed to the students and youth of Nagaland to be ‘ambassadors of clean and God-fearing government.” They must choose to “say no to bribe and corruption,” he told Nagaland University students during the Nagaland University Students’ Union’s 19th Varsity Campus Fresher’s Day on August 24 in Lumami.
Speaking as the chief guest of the event, Therie also requested the students to perform their constitutional duties being honest subjects of the state, citizens of the nation, and more so, as a Christian.
He expressed concern at the ‘exodus’ of youths from Nagaland in search of employment “some of whom bring laurels to the state but many of whom have brought sad stories.”
‘There are over 70,000 registered (persons) as unemployed while perhaps many more have not registered. Despite many opportunities available in the state particularly in Kohima and Dimapur, we have lost the market where there are ample opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship,’ he said. ‘Students need to plan for the future; planning is linking action with thinking.’
Speaking about the “reasons of paralysis of Nagaland,” the Congress leader said ‘bribery and corruption’ play a major role in stifling development and progress. ‘Bribes lead to high interest loans and this in turn leads to corruption which ultimately leads to stagnancy (sic) in the all round development of the state,’ the former Finance minister explained.
‘This vicious cycle has deformed (sic) our society as many of the failed candidates have to forfeit their homes and properties and have to live on rent. Some societies have acquired huge assets in Dimapur and Kohima from failed candidates while on the other hand, successful candidates siphon off funds meant for development, to make up their past and future expenditures.’
