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Dimapur, March 26 (EMN): Minister of Higher Education and Tribal Affairs, Temjen Imna Along on Friday lamented the growing number of NGOs and unions in Nagaland, which he said had outnumbered the state government’s departments and had the potential to “bring destruction”.
Along was addressing the students during the inaugural programme of the two-day national seminar on “The National Education Policy Challenges for the North East”, organised by the department of Education, St. Joseph University, Dimapur.
He stated that he was shocked to know many frustrated educated youths in the state.
“Educated men and women are frustrated because our environment is different. While they want to live like in other cities; they want big houses and good cars; but they do not want to work hard,” he lamented.
The irony of Naga youth, he said, is that many resort to anti-social activities or form unions and NGOs to become activists or pressure groups to earn through donations when they get frustrated.
“The way you are trying is wrong because by forming so many unions and asking donations or extorting, you want to fulfil the needs, and the way you are trying is not to build the state but will bring destruction,” he stated.
He encouraged the youths to work hard as there are seamless opportunities to be successful in life, saying that “your consistent efforts will surely bring you results”.
The minister further said that the New Education Policy (NEP) will give definite answers to the Nagas and the people living in Nagaland.
‘In our state’ with a population of around 20 lakh, we are one of the most educated states in the nation according to population, and one of the most employed states in government sector, but we are also the most unemployed state according to statistics,’ he stated, adding that NEP could bring about a positive change.
Terming NEP as a holistic education policy, Along said it is an inclusive policy that will transform the very output of human resource of the nation if implemented well.
‘I want everyone to understand the NEP, that at every level of education you will receive your credit, and you have the ability to be multi-talented, and a certificate will not be the base of qualification,’ he said, adding “but those things we cannot see it in a year or two but if we start implementing, this will robust a new way of educating our nation and human resources which will ultimately bring a holistic environment of educated people”.
He said that the society will face challenges while implementing the new policy ‘but there won’t be story if there are no challenges’.
The minister also condemned the killing of three persons at Lamhainamdi village in Peren district by miscreants, saying that “it is to be condemned at the highest level. There can be disputes and problems but there should not be killing to solve an issue. We all see that we are Nagas and will be Nagas for the rest of our lives”.
During the programme, Imkongsenla Longchar, HOD of Education, delivered the welcome address and Vice Chancellor of St. Joseph University, D Gnanadurai delivered the presidential address.