Work culture in Nagaland should change, says MD of The People Channel

KOHIMA — Innovative social entrepreneur, interior designer and Managing Director of The People Channel, Rozelle Mero, on Saturday said that people of the state need to get the meaning of an entrepreneur right.

Speaking at a ‘Career guidance and skill development programme’ organised by the Kohima Chakhesang Students’ Union (KCSU) in Kohima, she said that many entrepreneurs make a mistake of taking the Hornbill Festival as the only entrepreneurial activities.

“Earning INR 10 lakh from the festival is not enough in the long run. But one must have all the required skills needed to be an entrepreneur,” Mero said.

“An entrepreneur is someone who seized an opportunity of what is not available and continues to make improvements. They are someone who holds skills, keep upgrading their skills, and not give up easily. It takes at least two years after starting the business to recover the capital,” she said, adding that an entrepreneur is not someone who eats up the capital.

Maintaining that time management and discipline are important factors for any entrepreneur, she said unless the present work culture in the state change, it would be difficult in the long run.

Saying that Nagaland is famous for copying others, she warned that it does not help. On the contrary, she stated that one has to have its own blueprint as entrepreneur.

‘You are not going to get profit from copying others. They may gain profit in short span but not in long run,’ she said.

The social entrepreneur further advised the entrepreneurs to support each other.

‘If we become entrepreneurs in our own place, whatever money spent is spent in our own state. People tend to buy from outsiders’ shop and end up giving money to others, who are not interested in making our place look good,’ she said.

She also urged entrepreneurs of the state to introduce part time jobs in the society in order to enable even the mothers to work and earn when their children are at school.

Vevotolu Kezo, deputy superintendent of police, while speaking on the topic ‘Guide into competitive examinations and academics,’ encouraged the students to prepare for UPSC instead of NPSC.

“Taking coaching classes helps but ultimately it comes down to hard work and self-study. Mentally prepare and maintain consistency,” she advised.

During the interaction session, three faculty members of the Mavericks Academy namely Vekhohu Puro, Manu Chiero and Chothazo Nienu told the students to share the benefits of taking coaching and also give suggestions on several coaching centres and books in order to help other members crack the civil service examinations.

The programme was sponsored by the State Institute of Rural Development, Nagaland (SIRD).