Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton exhorts students that culture must be lived and practised, not merely showcased.
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Lotha Students’ Union 53rd general conference
WOKHA — Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton attended the second day of the 53rd general conference of the Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) as the special guest on Thursday.
The conference, held at Old Changsu village in Wokha district, is hosted by the Englan Range Students’ Union on the theme ‘Transcend beyond borders.’
In his address, the deputy CM emphasised the urgent need for cultural preservation, urging students to prioritise the Lotha language and to understand the names, meanings, and significance of traditional attire.
“Culture must be lived and practised, not merely showcased,” Patton said, encouraging villages to organise folk song competitions, awareness programmes, and traditional practices.
Highlighting declining student enrolment in village schools, he expressed concern that several rural institutions are on the verge of closure.
He called upon teachers posted in rural areas to discharge their duties with sincerity and warned that government employees across departments have become complacent, assuming salaries would be paid regardless of attendance or performance.
“The government is now very serious in this matter,” the deputy CM cautioned.
He also appealed to the community to extend cooperation to the government in its developmental activities. He pointed out that project proposals often face delays due to difficulties in obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOC), and urged the people to adopt a flexible and accommodative spirit, warning that rigidity could leave them behind in the future.
Recalling the past, Patton remarked that the Lotha community was once highly respected among the Nagas for its work ethic in government service, but observed that this reputation has declined. He urged collective introspection and corrective action to restore this legacy.
Patton highlighted Nagaland's high government employee ratio, with 1.31 lakh employees for a population of 20 lakh.
With government jobs reaching saturation, he advised aspirants to compete seriously in examinations such as NPSC and UPSC, while encouraging others to pursue alternative livelihood options.
He also lauded Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's skill development initiatives and urged youth to look beyond government jobs.
Congratulating the LSU for the successful conduct of the 53rd general conference with equal participation from all 91 affiliated units, Patton called upon the student community to march forward “with one voice of unity” for prosperity. He affirmed that the future of the Lotha community rests with its students.
Delivering the theme address, Prof. Athungo Ovung, Department of Sociology at Nagaland University, presented a data-driven analysis of employment challenges in the state.
Citing the 2025 employment survey, he revealed that around 75,000 individuals in Nagaland are currently seeking jobs, while approximately 35,000 students graduate every year. In contrast, only 600–700 government vacancies are generated annually.
He noted with concern that nearly 92% of graduates face uncertainty, with only 3–5% likely to secure government jobs. Stressing the need for a fundamental shift in mindset, Prof. Ovung urged students to focus on skill-oriented education, vocational training, and continuous skill upgrade.
Expounding on the conference theme, he urged youth to leverage digital opportunities like freelancing, content creation, and online businesses to transcend borders and tap global markets.
He further observed that despite government skill development schemes, youth participation remains low due to the persistent overemphasis on government employment. Concluding his address, Prof. Ovung urged students to become job creators rather than job seekers, stating that, “the future belongs to those who are skilled, innovative, and willing to adapt to change.”
Earlier in the day, the LSU monolith was unveiled by the deputy CM and dedicated by Rev. Fr. Renthungo N Odyuo, Principal of Holy Cross Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, at GHS Englan.
On the occasion, Mhondamo Ovung, chairman of Lotha Hoho, also extended greetings.
In the evening, the literary session was attended by Orenthung Lotha, Commissioner & Secretary of Cooperation and IPR, and president of the Lotha Officers’ Association (LOA), as the special guest.
The session featured a debate competition on the topic “Should Nagaland unlock its mineral wealth to drive development?”
On January 21, Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe, MLA, was the special guest of the introductory session.